Interesting and useful questions from Helen here. But I think there are bigger issues ini terms of equal and fair treatment being endangered by cost cutting mechanisms being implemented through the back door by public sector partners. Service delivery ‘on the cheap’ will have a detrimental effect in terms of equality i.e. will increase inequality and discriminatory practices. Older people are massively discriminated against in service delivery and this needs to be tackled by voluntary sector partners challenging the public sector, on behalf of the people we serve and work with. We currently have this issue with the Legal Services Commission wantinig to drive down the costs of legal advice (in housing advice sector). This has the potential of limiting access to legal services for vulnerable groups such as older people and those who do not speak English as a first language. The extra effort and ‘positive action’ required to cater for these groups of people in our society requires extra resources and, inevitably, will mean extra costs.
Ade
Interesting and useful questions from Helen here. But I think there are bigger issues ini terms of equal and fair treatment being endangered by cost cutting mechanisms being implemented through the back door by public sector partners. Service delivery ‘on the cheap’ will have a detrimental effect in terms of equality i.e. will increase inequality and discriminatory practices. Older people are massively discriminated against in service delivery and this needs to be tackled by voluntary sector partners challenging the public sector, on behalf of the people we serve and work with. We currently have this issue with the Legal Services Commission wantinig to drive down the costs of legal advice (in housing advice sector). This has the potential of limiting access to legal services for vulnerable groups such as older people and those who do not speak English as a first language. The extra effort and ‘positive action’ required to cater for these groups of people in our society requires extra resources and, inevitably, will mean extra costs.