
In 1942, liberal economist William Beveridge published a report on ways to address the ‘five giants on the road to post-war reconstruction’ – want (poverty), disease, ignorance, squalor (poor housing) and idleness (unemployment). Given the impact of the pandemic on all aspects of life, there have been calls for a similar overhaul of social policy to raise current and future wellbeing.
Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza published a review of the future of childhood inspired by the Beveridge report in September 2021. Her report calls for a Government commitment to creating 50,000 new apprenticeship starts, community mental health hubs and a package of measures to reduce child and family poverty. Meanwhile, Sir Michael Marmot published Build Back Fairer in December 2020, with recommendations including increasing pay and qualification requirements for the childcare workforce.
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