Cuts and contempt – experiences of austerity and council democracy in Newham
Posted inCitizen Debt Audit Publications

Cuts and contempt – experiences of austerity and council democracy in Newham

This report was written by Research for Action to document residents’ lived experience of austerity in the London borough of Newham. It is part of evidence collection for a "citizen debt audit" that seeks to evaluate the social sustainability of Newham council’s borrowing from banks in the form of LOBO loans. The aim of a citizen debt audit is to improve the accountability of local government towards its residents in managing funds in the public interest. We hope to start a conversation about the legitimacy of the continued, ring-fenced expenditure towards the financial sector in the context of harsh austerity... [continues]
Report summary: Experiences of austerity and council democracy in Newham
Posted inCitizen Debt Audit

Report summary: Experiences of austerity and council democracy in Newham

Research for Action is collecting evidence of Newham residents' experiences of cuts to services as part of our citizen debt audit. The aim of the project is to start a conversation about the legitimacy of the continued, ring-fenced expenditure to financial sector in the context of cuts in services in one of the most deprived areas in England. 43 per cent of children in Newham grow up in poverty. Yet since 2010, the council has cut spending on services by nearly a third. For this study, we asked 51 Newham residents about their experiences interacting with a range of council... [continues]
10 Reasons Newham Council is the UK’s ‘Debt Capital’
Posted inCitizen Debt Audit

10 Reasons Newham Council is the UK’s ‘Debt Capital’

On Tuesday 07 November, Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales was questioned by BBC London about the Borough’s ranking as a household debt hotspot - labelled the “UK's debt capital.” Sir Robin Wales attempted to explain away Newham’s shocking debt position as a natural consequence of the decline of the Newham Docklands, which hit working class communities in London’s East End particularly hard from the 1960s. But are there other causes that link back to Newham Council's economic, social and welfare priorities - such as chronic under-investment in social housing, low wages and a history of support for gambling - causing... [continues]