Beyond Westminster

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 ...

Severe absence has spread through our school system like wildfire. CSJ research shows that nearly 800 schools have an entire class-worth of so called ‘ghost children’. These issues are complex; there is no simple explanation as to why children stop attending schools. This podcast will unpack some of the causes of severe school absence by speaking to a mother whose children stopped attending school and will show what is possible whe...