The need to build a more inclusive society has seldom been more important. The UK stands at a crossroads, with the path ahead cleared by a cocktail of disruptive factors.
Like so many people, I have high hopes for 2021. It is therefore hugely disappointing and challenging, although necessary, to be starting the new year in lockdown once again. But with a vaccine that will protect the most vulnerable people in our society, I feel a great sense of optimism. It gives me hope that if we all work together, we can seize the opportunity to build a better society for everyone this year.
Whenever I’m asked how business can play a part in creating a more inclusive society, I think back to my time working with the World Bank, where the following statistic was often cited: 9 out of 10 jobs are created by the private sector. Given that employment is crucial to every individual’s prosperity and progression, the link between successful business and more inclusive societies becomes crystal clear.
But it’s also clear that business alone won’t be able to deliver the fairer society we aspire to - governments must create the right conditions for the private sector to do so, whether through frameworks, policies, incentives and/or regulation.
The UK at a crossroads - the road to a fairer society
The need to build a more inclusive society has seldom been more important. The UK stands at a crossroads, with the path ahead cleared by a cocktail of disruptive factors, namely COVID-19, Brexit and the digital revolution. While these have the potential to further entrench social inequalities, they also give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address them.
We have a chance to reimagine government’s relationship with business, collaborating more closely with the private sector to achieve common goals, and an opportunity to address social and regional inequalities by building the industries of the future rather than repeating the mistakes of the past.
Our recent research-based reports into regional inequality: How England’s towns face being left behind unless COVID-19 lessons learnt and the digital divide: Reset or level up: how can gigabit Britain delivery for all provide more details on these fundamental issues and highlight the government’s role in addressing them.
Bringing the key players together
Our Leaders’ Perspective webinar: What’s the role of business in achieving a truly inclusive society? addresses this opportunity. A panel drawn from senior levels of government, private finance, industry and EY will join me to discuss how we can all work together to positively impact equality and diversity in society. Key questions covered include: What would a truly inclusive society look like? What is the role of business in helping us to achieve this end goal? And what pace of change can be expected?
The UK as a green superpower – seizing the opportunity
One crucial topic is the UK’s potential to be a green superpower. With its net zero target, 10-point green recovery plan and upcoming leading role in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), to be held in Glasgow in November next year, our nation’s ambition is clear. And so is the prize, a chance to create new jobs, address regional inequalities and boost the economy. Yet the path between ambition and delivery appears, as yet, fragmented.
The challenge here is to bring investors, government and green energy experts together to join up the dots. That will enable business to do what it does best when operating with purpose: namely create value for all its stakeholders, including broader society. But time is already running out to put the framework of incentives and policies in place. Government must fully grasp its role in order to bring all parties together with a common purpose.
One aspect we can fully control is EY’s supporting role as a convenor. With 17,000 people employed in the UK alone and a global network spanning all sectors, we will continue to play our part. With extensive experience helping governments and energy and resources companies, we will continue to focus on building a better working world that is fairer and more inclusive.
