Service Not Included

The privatization and streamlining of many of Britain's essential services has left less affluent neighbourhood and social groups with limited access to private services. This volume looks at access to energy, telecommunications, financial services and food retailing in two marginalized neighbourhoods - Benwell in Newcastle upon Tyne and Netherly in Liverpool. The authors of this report argue that these private sector services must be considered essential for full participation in contemporary society, and failure to recognize their importance will undermine current regeneration strategies and lead to the further exclusion of our most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The report is based on interviews with over 40 households and a number of focus groups, as well as quantitative evidence on private sector restructuring and service use.
It: identifies the extent and effect of the withdrawal of private sector services in the two case study areas; explores the difficulties which arise from being considered "high-risk", "low-profit" customers and the coping strategies used by the excluded; and considers policy options and ways to bridge the gaps that exist between the socially excluded and often inaccessible private sector services.