The Casey Review: a review into opportunity and integration

In July 2015, at the request of the then Prime Minister and Home Secretary, Dame Louise Casey was asked to undertake a review into integration and opportunity in the |UK's most isolated and deprived communities.

Following the review a report was published in December 2016. The report brought together Dame Louise’s findings, considering immigration and patterns of settlement; the extent to which people from different backgrounds mix and get on together; how different communities – considering ethnic and faith groups in particular – have fared economically and socially; and some of the issues that were driving inequality and division in society; and it mades recommendations on what the country should do next in a new programme to help unite Britain.

The report set out a series of initial recommendations under four headings:

+ Build local communities’ resilience in the towns and cities where the greatest challenges exist
+ Improve the integration of communities in Britain and establish a set of values around which people from all different backgrounds can unite
+ Reduce economic exclusion, inequality and segregation in our most isolated and deprived communities and schools
+ Increase standards of leadership and integrity in public office

Dame Louise Casey called for more to be done to bridge divides between people and bind communities together.

Her review found that with the country experiencing rapid population change there were still large social and economic gaps between ethnic groups; that ethnic segregation was increasing in some areas; and that women in some communities were suffering from huge inequalities.

She calledfor a major new government programme to help:

+ empower all communities to take advantage of modern Britain’s economic opportunities
+ provide more English language classes for isolated groups
+ encourage young people to mix in schools and across communities
+ secure women’s emancipation in communities where they are being held back by regressive cultural practices

Dame Louise also proposed better safeguarding arrangements for all children who were not in mainstream education; increased integration expectations to be set out earlier in the immigration process and a new oath of integration enshrining British values for all holders of public office. She argued in her foreword for a 'spirit of compassion and kindness' in the face of escalating division and tensions in society.

Politico, 05.12.16: Government study wants UK migrants to take integration oath http://www.politico.eu/article/government-study-wants-uk-migrants-to-take-integration-oath/

The Guardian, 05.12.16: Casey review raises alarm over social integration in the UK https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/04/social-integration-louise-casey-uk-report-condemns-failings

ESO: Background information: German officials laud new integration law as 'historic step' http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-officials-laud-new-integration-law-as-historic-step/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

UK: GOV.UK: Department for Communities and Local Government: Press Release, 05.12.16: Casey calls for integration plan to bind communities together https://www.gov.uk/government/news/casey-calls-for-integration-plan-to-bind-communities-together

BBC News, 05.12.16: Segregation 'growing in Britain', Dame Louise Casey warns http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38200989

The Conversation, 06.12.16: An oath to entry – but should all citizens pledge allegiance to British values, not just new migrants? https://theconversation.com/an-oath-to-entry-but-should-all-citizens-pledge-allegiance-to-british-values-not-just-new-migrants-69937

---