Current challenges and their impact on equality, diversity and inclusion
Financial
The financial outlook for all local government is challenging, as the grant we receive from central government funding has significantly reduced over recent years. We now also face the impacts of the pandemic on the local economy and Oxford City Council itself, which continue to be extremely challenging. The council has seen a sharp increase in expenditure to support those in need, together with a second year of reduced revenues from its core income streams.
The total financial impact of the COVID-19 on Oxford City Council over the period 2020-2026 is forecast to be £23 million. To date, the Government has provided around £11 million of financial support to the council in respect of its day to day service delivery. A further £152 million has been provided by Government to support the provision of additional measures to support residents and businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Pandemic
The effects of the pandemic have not been felt equally across all population groups. Research shows that some groups, especially those that already experienced inequality, have suffered the most.
The latest government reporting shows that those from Black and Asian heritage, and those in higher deprivation, suffered significant health inequalities and higher mortality rates. Research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies in 2021 indicated that the pandemic had also caused more income inequality, more inequalities in education and skills, and more intergenerational inequalities.
