This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Enfield Poverty and Inequality Commission. The Commission, chaired by Baroness Tyler of Enfield, was made up of a mix local and national stakeholders and experts and was supported by the Smith Institute.
To undertake a review of poverty and inequality in Enfield and set out recommendations, the Commission:
- Initiated a ‘call for evidence’ to understand the views of local people and organisations. A feedback account was set up and promoted and comment boxes were placed in Enfield’s four hub libraries for members of the public to submit evidence.
- Considered relevant existing datasets across a range of available evidence bases.
- Engaged directly with local people, service providers, community organisations and businesses, through public meetings, focus groups, and one to one interviews.
- Considered best practice that has successfully been taken forward in Enfield and elsewhere that may be replicated or adapted for wider use.
- Held four Commission meetings to hear evidence on the three threads with follow up discussions.
- A deliberative ‘solutions workshop’ at Green Hall Community Centre in Edmonton, inviting organisations and members of the public who had engaged with the Commission to come together and formulate recommendations.
The Commission’s work focussed on three inter-connecting themes. These were:
- Living: To what extent does who we are and where we live affect our life chances and the services we can access?
- Learning: What barriers prevent local people from accessing opportunities through education and training?
- Earning: How can people on low incomes be better supported to secure long-term economic prosperity?
Although established by the Council, the Commission itself was fully independent. The work of the Chair and Commissioners is based on evidence and most importantly experiences views of local residents and community groups. This blend of evidence is intended to help the Council improve the livelihoods and life chances of those on low incomes living in the Borough.