This report indicates that the legacy of Covid-19 is likely to include a sharp increase in inequality, for example affecting the gender pay gap and educational achievement. Poverty is an aligned concern, with between a quarter and a fifth of children in York living in poverty. The year ended with warnings that residents face a ‘perfect storm’ this winter, with the resumption of evictions (halted during the pandemic), the end of the £20 a week Universal Credit uplift, and a rise in food and fuel poverty. Furthermore, in 2020-21, there was a 35.4% drop in the proportion of service users who have as much social contact as they would like. Rising demand for social care accompanied by a shortfall in financial and human resources has created a crisis in the sector. While York has shown some economic resilience and considerable community solidarity over the past two years, this report highlights inequality, poverty and social care as priority concerns for the future.
The Blue Badge decision is the biggest challenge to-date to York’s Human Rights City status. Parts of the architecture set up to advance human rights in the city failed. The decision required complex considerations: whether to permanently extend the footstreet area in central York; on what grounds (economic benefits, environmental gains, security concerns); and how to weigh these issues against the need for all residents to access the city centre.
In the end, security, and the protection of the right to life against terrorist threats, were deployed by the City Council Executive and the police in a way that simply overrode other key human rights. The decision-making process was characterised by endless consultation, but many felt that they were not heard and that there was little attempt to find a compromise that would protect security and access. Consultation felt performative, as though the Council wanted to be seen to consult but in reality the decision was already made. As such the damage done is both to the rights of a group of York residents (disabled people) and to public trust in democracy and democratic decision-making in the city.
As a result of the Blue Badge decision, the York Human Rights City Network (YHRCN), a civil society coalition, is looking to reset its engagement with the City of York Council. From its inception, the YHRCN consciously adopted an approach where we worked with the Council where we could, but retained the right to criticise when needed. Elements of the human rights architecture created through this approach are no longer fit for purpose. The Human Rights and Equalities Board (HREB), a Council led body, must be replaced – it lacks power, resources and leadership, and as the decision on Blue Badge access approached it failed to meet or take a position on the issue.
The Community Voices project, run for several years by YHRCN and funded by the Council, engages with communities not reached by normal consultation processes, and supports them to set their own agendas for change and bring those agendas to the Council and other power-holders in the city. In 2021 the YHRCN used Community Voices to work with disabled groups, in part on the Blue Badge issue. Community Voices also needs rethinking, as there is no value in mobilising voices and agendas for change if the Council has no interest in listening or fails to deliver co- produced solutions in the aftermath of consultations – this runs the risk of further marginalising already marginalised groups.
Against this gloomy backdrop, this indicator report also showcases areas where the YHRCN and a human rights approach have over the years contributed to positive change. Slow, uneven, but clear progress is being made on tackling hate crime, creating opportunities for young people Not in Employment, Education and Training (NEETs), embedding a rights-based Housing First approach, and championing rights-respecting schools. Recommendations from last year’s report on Covid-19 have contributed to new initiatives in the city. For example, a Poverty Truth Commission is being set up to address the pandemic’s legacy in relation to poverty and inequality.
So, where do we go from here? In YHRCN’s view it is too early to abandon the Human Rights City status. To do so would hurt supporters of human rights more than those who remain ambivalent or hostile. As set out above, the declaration of York as a Human Rights City in 2017 marked an intent, and an important point on a journey not a final destination. The journey has been particularly turbulent this year; it is not clear if the Council Executive shares our intent. As we look to reset relationships and priorities, and rebuild trust, the YHRCN will use the Human Rights City status to highlight challenges in the city; to stand alongside those who remain marginalised and discriminated against; and to hold leaders and those with power to account. This sixth indicator report is offered to the city in this spirit.
Download: Easy Read version of York Human Rights 6th Indicator report 2021
Watch the British Sign Language video for the Indicator Report 2021
