Britain is ‘flat-lining’ on key measurements of social progress compared with other developed nations, according to an international study.

It identified a link between the austerity policies introduced by Conservatives and a lack of improvement in quality of life, particularly in the area of housing.

The 2017 Social Progress Index ranked the UK 12th out of 128 countries on factors relating to the fulfilment of basic human needs, well-being and opportunity. Britain has held the same spot since 2014, when the index was first compiled by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology academics.

The authors warned that social progress had not increased over the four years, and on key measures the UK was ‘slipping backwards’.

Michael Green, head of the non-profit group that produces the index, said it showed ‘how widespread the impact of austerity’ had become.

‘From disillusionment about affordable housing, rising crime, growing intolerance and poor health outcomes,’ he said. ‘And as we face the prospect of a vast EU divorce bill, the challenge for policy-makers is to ensure that the UK doesn’t allow social progress to slip backwards.’ Mr Green warned that the UK risked creating a ‘homeless generation – young people either unable to get on the housing ladder, forced to live in cramped accommodation to be near work or stuck living with parents’.

The study said violent crime is higher ‘than many other wealthy nations’ while life expectancy is lower. The UK is ‘slipping backwards’ for tolerance and inclusion. It was ranked 92nd for religious tolerance and 50th for discrimination and violence against minorities. Ireland was one place ahead of Britain in the index, topped by Denmark.

Taken from an article in today’s Metro by Andrew Woodcock

Editors comment: clearly some cuts were needed to get the public finances under control, but the Conservatives have now gone too far, as this study shows. Too much has been taken away from those who had little to start with instead of those with plenty. We need whoever is in government to act in a more progressive way. Its high time the Tory’s austerity regime came to an end!

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