Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Taskforce
There is not a single absolute definition of ‘social exclusion’ – different people may use the term in different ways. We in the Task Force work across Whitehall to ensure Government policies improve the lives of socially excluded groups, and the following quote is a good summary of how we define social exclusion:
Social exclusion is a complex and multi-dimensional process. It involves the lack or denial of resources, rights, goods and services, and the inability to participate in the normal relationships and activities, available to the majority of people in a society, whether in economic, social, cultural or political arenas. It affects both the quality of life of individuals and the equity and cohesion of society as a whole.
Levitas et al. (2006)
Our focus is on England with The Scottish Executive [External website], the Welsh Assembly [External website] and the Northern Ireland Assembly [External website] having responsibility for Social Exclusion policy in their territories. However, as much of our work is eventually administered by other Government departments, it may influence or become applicable to the whole of the UK.
We work with any Government department where collaborative working is required in a particular area of Social Exclusion policy. For example, we work with the Department for Children, Families and Schools on policy relating to families, children and young adults, the Department for Work and Pensions who work on the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion, and Communities and Local Government on housing.
The responsibility for almost all the reports published by the former Social Exclusion Unit now lies with other Government departments – and they are responsible for that area of policy. You should contact that Government department to find out more. A list of the reports and the departments who are now responsible for them is available here [PDF 13KB, 2 pages].
Reports published by the current Social Exclusion Task Force are available to download from our publications page. We have a limited supply of hard copies of some reports – to request one of these please email setaskforce@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk.
We no longer have any hard copies of reports published by the Social Exclusion Unit, however these can also be downloaded from our publications page.
The Social Exclusion Task Force was set up in June 2006 and supersedes the former Social Exclusion Unit which was set up in 1997. The former Social Exclusion Unit had a wider focus, whereas the current Task Force seeks to tackle the problems experienced by those facing the most entrenched and complex exclusion. We seek to tackle multiple and inter generational problems by working on joined-up solutions across several Government departments.
The Social Exclusion Task Force does not deliver services itself and has no delivery budget – instead we seek to influence the policies and delivery of other Departments and local service providers. We therefore cannot assist with any funding requests – you may wish to contact other Government departments with responsibility for the area your organisation works in.
We welcome comments on our work from organisations who work with socially excluded people.
You may also wish to contact the Office of the Third Sector who are also based in the Cabinet Office.