DD2240 A London-wide approach to welcoming newcomers

1.1 In April 2017, the Mayor announced the Citizenship and Integration Initiative (CII) under ADD2056, a pooled fund from independent trusts and foundations which includes secondments from civil society organisations into the GLA. The CII’s objectives for the first two years are:

• Civic Engagement: encouraging the take-up of citizenship and involvement in democracy;

• Young Londoners: supporting young Londoners to secure their legal rights to residence; and

• Diversity, social contact and identity: celebrating diversity and building shared identity.

This paper covers work relating to the third of the above objectives and seeks approval of a maximum expenditure of £95,000 from the Communities and Social Policy Unit’s 2018/19 budget on work progressing this objective as further set out in paragraph 2.

1.2 Across different GLA departments and among key external stakeholders, there has been growing interest in the question of how new arrivals to London are welcomed and integrated into the life of the city. London, as the fastest growing region in the UK, has a well-established history of welcoming newcomers. The city faces high levels of population churn: in recent years, roughly 200,000 people have moved to London each year from other parts of the UK, and a similar number have arrived from overseas. Since 2015, volunteer-led welcome initiatives have started to help newcomers to become better connected and are providing opportunities for existing residents to play an active role in welcoming new Londoners.

1.3 Across the world, cities with high levels of inward migration - particularly in Europe and the US - are developing approaches to welcoming newcomers to address perceived integration failures and anticipate future challenges. Experience suggests that there is a window of opportunity to engage new arrivals, after which it is increasingly hard to impact on social integration outcomes. London, which draws its population both from across the world and from around the UK, and which experiences high levels of movement within the city, faces a unique context. The UK’s exit from the European Union will see that context shift in ways that will affect social integration. Research into London Identities commissioned by the Communities and Social Policy Unit has found that there tends to be low levels of interaction between different social groups in London, and that economic wellbeing strongly impacted on people’s perception of belonging and stability in the capital. The research also found signs that there is a distinct London identity that binds residents in the capital. Openness to newcomers and acknowledgement and respect for different groups was a core part of this London identity, and can be built on to increase social integration and civic engagement in London. Initiatives that welcome newcomers are an important part of the social integration picture, as set out in the Mayor’s recently-published Social Integration Strategy.

1.4 In light of London’s unique context, questions remain regarding the benefits of a city-wide approach to welcoming newcomers, who welcome initiatives would be focused on, and the central elements of an effective approach would be. This project will use mapping, action research and targeted trial interventions to investigate and better understand the benefits to London and to Londoners of activities that welcome newcomers and promote social integration. Evaluation of these investigations and trials will enable us to test current ideas and assumptions around welcome, and will be used as the basis for future decision making.

3.1 Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the Mayor of London must have ‘due regard’ to the need to (i) eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; (ii) advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and (iii) foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. Protected characteristics under section 149 of the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership status (all except the last being “relevant” protected characteristics).

3.2 Equality, integration and inclusion are the drivers behind this programme. This work is planned to enable all Londoners, regardless of their background, the length of time they have been resident or their protected characteristics, to fully participate in the life of the city. The focus on volunteer-led projects provides an opportunity for new and established citizens alike to be included in local volunteering.

3.3 Any commissioning processes will ask potential partners to demonstrate how their projects are inclusive of a diverse group and actively work to eliminate discrimination on the basis of the nine characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010. In order to ensure the highest standards of equality, diversity and inclusion are upheld, the GLA will use outreach and engagement approaches to target activities at particular groups that are less able to engage, or face greater barriers to engagement, to enable them to participate, whilst ensuring that activities are open and accessible to all Londoners.

3.4 The guidance and resources will be produced in accordance with best practice for accessible communications and there will be translated outputs. The recruitment of the advisory and steering groups will meet equality, diversity and inclusion standards.

Key risks and issues

5.1 Approval is sought for expenditure of up to £95,000 for activities under the Mayor’s Citizenship and Integration Initiative.

5.2 The estimated cost will be funded from the 2018-19 Social Integration Programme budget held within the Communities and Social Policy Unit.

6.1 Paragraphs 1 to 2 of this report indicates that the decisions requested of the Director concern the exercise of the GLA’s general powers, falling within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things considered to further or which are facilitative of, conductive or incidental to the promotion of economic development and wealth creation, social development or the promotion of the improvement of the environment in Greater London; and in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

• Pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;

• Consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and

• Consult with appropriate bodies.

6.2 In taking the decisions requested, the Director must have due regard to the Public Sector equality Duty; namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, and to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment) and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). To this end, the Director should have particular regard to Section 3 (above) of this report.

6.3 To the extent that it is proposed that expenditure is incurred on the procurement of works, services or supplies, officers must ensure that the works, services or supplies are procured in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code and that appropriate contract documentation is put in place and executed by the successful bidder(s) and the GLA before the commencement of any works, services or supplies.

6.4 Paragraph 2 above indicates that the contribution of up to £50,000 to third sector organisations amounts to the provision of grant funding and not payment for supplies or services. Officers must ensure that the funding is distributed fairly, transparently, in accordance with the GLA’s equalities and in a manner which affords value for money in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code. Officers must ensure that an appropriate funding agreement is put in place between and executed by the GLA and the grant recipients before any commitment to fund is made.