Speakers at the RISE launch event at Ruskin College
Speakers at the RISE launch event at Ruskin College

Ruskin College launches new Ruskin Institute of Social Equity (RISE) to mark 125th anniversary

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As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, Ruskin College hosted the launch of the Ruskin Institute of Social Equity (RISE) in a seminar titled “Regional Inequality under a Labour Government – can we make a difference?”

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Peter John speaking at the RISE launch event at Ruskin College

Professor Peter John CBE, Principal of Ruskin College, introduced the seminar and key speakers who discussed the need for long-term policy change which devolves power and agency on a regional level, to achieve greater equality across the UK. 

Rebecca Tunstall, former Centre Director, and Joseph Rowntree, Professor of Housing Policy, opened the discussion. Rebecca presented data which explained how policy has influenced regional inequality historically and discussed the implications of dedicating time and resources towards tackling inequality. She warned that expectations must be realistic and stressed that policy change takes years, even decades, to take proper effect. 

Attendees talking at the RISE event at Ruskin College

The next speaker was Sir Paul Collier, a distinguished British economist renowned for his research on development economics and his influential work on the economics of poverty, governance and global policy. Paul argued that policy changes are necessary to take steps against inequality and would make a real difference if enough time and money is invested. 

He said,

We haven’t had any serious efforts over the last 40 years to minimise regional inequalities. [...] We can do a lot in 10 years, but it does take a lot of effort and big money.”

Paul then outlined how changes could be made in areas such as transport, healthcare and education, in what he called an "empowerment agenda."

Matt Leach, CEO of Local Trust, a place-based funder which has supported over 150 of the most deprived communities in the UK, added to Paul’s arguments, commenting that the devolution of power is necessary not only to keep Labour constituencies voting Labour, but also as a moral duty. 

He said: 

Devolution – changing political models – is something we should do because it’s right.” 

Finally, Andy Haldane, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts, concluded the seminar with considerations on how to execute idealistic plans effectively. He suggested that without agency, money or progressive leaders, the plans for local regions unravel and become impossible to achieve. 

Now, Andy says, is a “new academic year; new age of government.” He believes there is hope for the new government to act on regional inequalities in the UK.

Attendees talking at the RISE event at Ruskin College

Building on the work of the Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP), RISE produces essential research to encourage policy change around inequality in the UK with the newly elected Labour Government. 

Professor Graeme Atherton, Head of RISE, said: 

RISE can have a crucial role supporting the development of practical policies informed by evidence that can address inequality under the new Labour government.” 

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