2024

In 2010, when the Conservative government implemented austerity measures in the aftermath of the financial crisis, many economists warned that focusing solely on spending cuts without contemplating their long-term social impact was ill-considered. Fourteen years later, the UK faces similar issues under a Labour government. The dire economic legacy inherited by the current government necessitates fiscal responsibility, yet lessons from the past suggest that cuts in essential services, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance, could lead to greater social and economic costs in the future.

RealWorth's James McGowan and Erik Bichard recently hosted a social value walking tour of Liverpool's northern docklands area. Joined by Officers from Liverpool City Council and Make CIC, we discussed how regeneration can create social value for existing and future residents.

The Reader is a non-profit organisation that brings people together and books to life in free, weekly Shared Reading groups across the UK. The Reader’s founder, Jane Davis MBE, as well as weekly, free Shared Reading, there are cultural events, and art, heritage and wellbeing activities. The Reader at Calderstones offers something for everyone.

Labour is committed to building 370,000 new homes per year in England. RealWorth's Erik Bichard discusses what this means for social value in the built environment.

Social value is best created when communities are empowered, objectives and ambitions are aligned, solutions are optimised, and outcomes are thoughtfully targeted and measured. What can the incoming Labour government do to ensure social value is delivered in the built environment?

Jamal Edwards Delve is a non-profit organisation focused on refurbishing and reopening youth centres to support young people in Acton, West London. Its weekly schedule includes Music and Media sessions, and recent projects have harnessed the raw creative talents of young people in the borough. RealWorth's spotlight on Delve aims to highlight the incredible impact the charity is having, and what you can do to help.

To conduct its social value analysis, RealWorth teamed up with the charity Big Help Project to survey people with experience of fuel poverty and establish the social value of escaping fuel poverty. In the report, the authors discuss how fuel poverty impacts lives and what measures the built environment sector can put in place to reduce the likelihood of fuel poverty.

Our second year of being a B Corp has brought some great successes, including the benefit and sheer joy that can be had from the wider B Corp community. If you would like to read more about our impact, and our work within the B Corp community, please read our impact report attached.

Issues like food poverty and the worst effects of climate change disproportionately affect low-income neighbourhoods. Town planners have the opportunity to tackle the social inequalities created by hayfever through the planting of public orchards

The days are getting longer, the plants are blooming, and the spring cleaning is well underway. But while it’s traditionally a time of year for hope and excitement, many of us are struggling with feelings of defeat and gloom. It’s unsurprising given the current global climate- but not unavoidable. With just a small change of perspective, we can claim back our optimism, effecting positive change in the world around us.

While billionaire’s wealth fell by $500 billion from 2022 to 2023, Forbes estimates that there are still 2,640 people in the world with ten-figure fortunes with a combined wealth of $12.2 trillion. What else could that money be used for?

Following the finding that over a third of households in England and Wales are rented, James McGowan explores potential solutions to the UK's home ownership crisis.