Systems Thoughts

There are several steps that governments take to normalise extremism towards minorities in society and this has been an increasing feature of recent Conservative governments in the UK. Playing to people’s greatest fears and insecurities are key, then creating and marginalising a scapegoat for them. These steps can be taken covertly or overtly, depending upon the state’s assessment of the public’s response. The greatest fear available at this time is the financial insecurity left following the devastating recession. Scapegoating is vital in order to protect the interests of the institutions which caused the financial crisis and to shift the focus to the most marginalised in society. It is concerning that recent public scapegoating has been significantly overt – such as Theresa May’s creation of a Hostile Environment Policy towards illegal immigrants, which contributed to the normalisation of race-based prejudice and hate crime and also to the wrongful detention, denial of leg...

Sadly, when taking an honest look at their teams, many employers will recognise a lack of diversity. Most will see no disabled employees at all.  7.5 million people of working age in the UK are disabled or have a long-term health  condition.  That  is  1  in  5  of  us.  Despite  this, just  half  of  disabled people  are  employed,  compared  to  81%  non-disabled  people.  With  little change  in  this  figure  in  the  last  decade,  it  is  clear  that  we  need  to  think innovatively  to  reimagine work  in  a  way  that  will  enable  us  to  react  to  a changed and changing workforce. For many people who are disabled or have a  long  term health  condition,  entering  the  labour market  ...