Beyond Westminster

For our latest report Absent Ambition, we travelled across the UK talking to teachers and parents about the root causes of the absence crisis. Listen to Chief Executive Andy Cook and Senior Researcher Dan Lilley dissect these interviews and present our findings🤔 Thank you to CSJ Alliance Charity One-Eighty, the Steve Rigby Foundation, Mark Billyield and Yasmin Manzoor for their participation in this podcast. Read the full report h...

New CSJ analysis in our latest report, Unequal Returns, show that despite despite tens of billions invested in Pupil Premium (PP), outcomes for disadvantaged pupils remain deeply uneven. Some schools are seeing their attainment gap widen. Our report argues that the PP funding model must evolve into a smarter, more precise system – one that better reflects the realities of modern disadvantage and delivers real impact for the childre...

No one in Westminster is talking about fatherlessness, but our Alliance of 700+ small charities tell us it’s a huge issue. That’s why our star-studded CSJ team came together to discuss it in the latest episode of Beyond Westminster.

It’s part of a new podcast series we’re launching, led by the voices of small charities. Informed by daily visits to our Alliance network, we’ll be taking hot-takes from the ...

'Beyond Westminster' returns on Mental Health Awareness Week for a discussion on the ‘Screen-Demic’ and what Government should do about it.

With the Safer Phones Bill going through the House of Commons, we ask why the Government has watered down its plans to protect young people.

This conversation draws on research conducted in Change The Prescription, the CSJ's landmark report into mental health which evidenced social media and sm...

Boys and young men are in crisis.

While the last hundred years have been marked by great leaps forward in outcomes and rights for women, in this generation it is boys who are being left behind. And by some margin. From the day they start primary school, to the day they leave higher education, the progress of boys lags behind girls.

On Wednesday 5th March, the Centre for Social Justice launched a State of the Nation report on Britai...

Today, we’ll be diving into the King’s Speech, breaking down Labour’s social justice agenda, and exploring what’s coming from the new government. We'll discuss how these changes could impact communities across Britain. Is big government back? Does this legislative barrage address everything from Labour’s manifesto, or are there key elements missing? What does all this mean for the future? Tune in to get the full scoop!

Guests

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Welcome to our latest episode, where we delve into the pressing questions shaping the current political landscape. What implications does the election hold for society's most disadvantaged members? Did the party manifestos truly address the needs of the poorest? As we navigate the aftermath of the election, we explore what the new government should prioritise in its first 100 days to advance social just...

In today's episode, we explore the disturbing rise in severe violent crime across London, focusing on the sharp increase in knife crime offences since the pandemic. Recent research reveals that nearly one in four Londoners have experienced threats or attacks within the city over the past five years. As concerns mount, 63% of residents now back the police's stop-and-search tactics to combat violence.  Join us, as we deep dive into t...

In the labyrinth of our communities, the spectre of criminal exploitation casts a long shadow, entrapping both the young and the vulnerable in a cycle of coercion and crime. Today’s episode dives deep into this critical issue, exploring the multi-faceted dimensions of criminal exploitation in the UK, from 'county lines' drug dealing to the alarming trends of cuckooing and beyond.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of this press...

In this podcast, we delve into the disturbing prevalence and nature of child exploitation, encompassing child sexual and criminal exploitation, including county lines and human trafficking. Children as young as six are falling victim to this crisis, facing violence, coercion, and emotional trauma. Join us as we shed light on this urgent issue, raising awareness, and exploring ways we can all contribute to its prevention and support...

In this eye-opening episode, we delve deep into a pressing issue that affects millions across the United Kingdom. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the stark reality of digital exclusion in the UK and its devastating impact on low-income households.

Our groundbreaking report, aptly titled 'Left Out,' reveals shocking statistics: a staggering 11 percent of the 28 million UK households lack access to home internet, a number almost...

Join us in this eye-opening podcast as we delve into the alarming issue of illegal money lending in Britain. In light of the Centre for Social Justice's groundbreaking research, we uncover the shocking reality that up to one million people in England resort to borrowing from loan sharks due to the cost-of-living crisis. Disturbingly, only 37% of victims seek debt advice, and even among those who do, many withhold crucial informatio...

In our fast-paced world, parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's lives, ensuring their well-being, and supporting their cognitive development. However, are schools effectively engaging parents across the board? Join us on this podcast as we delve into the challenges faced by parents and schools in creating a strong partnership.

Gain valuable insights into the perspectives of children regarding parental involvement...

About 1.1 million children are growing up without a father in the UK today. The absence of men in their children's lives, especially boys, is the subject of the fatherlessness discussion. No matter if they are present or not, fathers are essential to children, and when fathers are actively involved in their life, it has a beneficial impact on the wellbeing of the children and the relationships within the family. Our podcast explore...

The UK has a productivity puzzle and is struggling to achieve growth. Both the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer have made kick-starting the British economy their principal priority. Yet according to most indicators UK growth is sluggish, productivity outside of financial services is poor and real wages have barely moved since the 2008 Great Recession . This podcast discusses the need for a new in...

Domestic abuse affects more than 2 million women men and their children. It is both a public health crisis – affecting mental and physical health – and a crime. The sad reality is that still only one in five victims report abuse, and there are few prosecutions of this crime: treating this only as a criminal  justice issue, therefore, fails to challenge the perpetrators and support their victims’ (and children’s) recovery to normal ...

Too many adults continue to lack the basic skills which underpin financial capability. Around nine million working-age adults in England have low literacy or numeracy, with five million lacking both. One in two were found to be unable to pass a financial literacy test run by the OECD, which placed the UK well below international comparators France, Norway and Canada. This podcast will discuss the importance of financial education a...

What are some of the wider social consequences of the cost of living crisis that maybe aren't receiving as much attention as they should? One really important issue is illegal money lending. Charities have reported a worrying rise in people turning to lenders who act without license, and often pose as friends to exploit vulnerable and desperate people.

In this podcast we look at the scale of illegal money lending, the methods used ...