York Human Rights City Network Indicator Report 2022 now out!

 

READ IT HERE!

 

York Human Rights City Network’s (YHRCN’s) seventh annual indicator report ‘Seeking to Rebuild’ provides a unique overview of human rights in the city of York. From 2022 onwards, the cost-of-living crisis emerged as the dominant local and national concern. Given the bleak economic forecasts, much needs to be done to protect the city’s low-income households and vulnerable residents, in particular.

The Report highlights some successes, for example the comparatively low number of people sleeping rough in the city and the city’s strong response to hosting refugees. However, it also draws attention to areas in which rights are being undermined. The shocking rise in numbers forced to use foodbanks, and the continued widening of the gender pay gap are chief amongst these.

The report notes YHRCN’s continued support for the Reverse the Ban Coalition’s campaign against the exclusion of Blue Badge Holders from the city centre, and the ongoing work of the Poverty Truth Commission. It also voices concern at the lack of appropriate provision for Gypsies and Travellers in the York Local Plan.

The report’s recommendations include a call for the widespread adoption of the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage, strategies to remove financial barriers to children from low income families to fully participate in education, and the allocation of greater resources to ensuring public information is accessible to all, not just digitally.

 

As Chair of the Network Stephen Pittam states, “We believe these measures are necessary in order to ensure that York makes progress in its aspirations as a Human Rights City.”

 

The YHRCN is a non-party political coalition underpinned by universal human rights principles. It seeks to work with all the main political parties to collaborate where we can and critique when necessary to do so.