Assessing the cuts

Published: 23 June, 2011

• IN response to Sarah Hayward’s letter (We aim to measure the impact of cuts on the vulnerable, June 16) responding to the points I make on equalities, having taken expert advice on the way that Camden has addressed the equality impacts on protected groups in the context of early years provision, I remain concerned. 

The consultation document published asked the usual list of general questions rather than seeking to understand how individual users would be affected by the range of cuts to early years services including increased charges. 

Similarly the Equalities Impact Assessment remains at the level of generalities saying that women would be affected as well as ethnic minorities and, as a result, picking a figure of 10 per cent cuts in spending rather than 20 per cent. I would have expected to see a more detailed analysis, as well as evidence of the detailed consultation that Cllr Hayward says was, in fact, carried out before a decision as to making these cuts. 

If this is all being done, perhaps the administration can in the future make this clear on the documentation. 

I have asked for information about the cumulative impact of these cuts on vulnerable groups. I am pleased to see the administration already has this in train. It’s important the public are aware of these impacts so that we can have a full and open public discussion about how best to address the situation.

CLLR MAYA DE SOUZA 
Green Party, Highgate ward