Publisher's Synopsis
The privatisation and streamlining of many of Britain's essential services has left less affluent neighbourhoods and social groups with limited access to private services. Service not included looks at access to energy, telecommunications, financial services and food retailing in two marginalised neighbourhoods - Benwell in Newcastle upon Tyne and Netherly Valley 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 recognise their importance will undermine current regeneration strategies and lead to the further exclusion of our most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. This is the first such study to look in detail at the problems faced by residents in areas experiencing significant withdrawal of private services. The report: 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; considers policy options and ways to bridge the gaps that exist between the socially excluded and often inaccessible private sector services. 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, Service not included is invaluable reading for all those involved in area regeneration policy making and anyone interested in the impact of the private sector on socially excluded communities and area regeneration strategies.
