Beveridge Lecture Series 2012/13 - free events at Toynbee Hall

Toynbee Hall is hosting series of free policy lectures to mark the 70th anniversary of the Beverige Report, and to contribute to the critical debate about the future of the welfare state.

William Beveridge volunteered at Toynbee Hall from 1903; it was here that he began forming his ideas about unemployment and the need for social reform based on his experience of living in the East End. 70 years after the publication of his landmark report that created the architecture of our welfare state, the UK finds itself again considering how to tackle poverty and disadvantage at a time of economic uncertainty.

The Beveridge Lecture Series, hosted at historic Toynbee Hall, aims to spark a conversation about the relevance of Beveridge’s vision today and the future of our welfare state.

Confirmed events in the series:

1 December – Liam Byrne, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in partnership with the Fabian Society

Time: 11am -12pm, including time for a short Q&A.

11 December – Making welfare work: Beveridge’s relevance 70 years on

Frank Field MP for Birkenhead, and formerly Minister for Welfare Reform and CPAG CEO.

Time: 6:00 pm The lecture will include time for a short Q&A, and refreshments.

For further details, including how to book a place, see Beveridge Lecture Series 2012/13

The next two lectures at Toynbee Hall as part of this series have been announced.

28 January, 12:00pm – What giants need slaying now? Welfare in a digital society 70 years after Beveridge - Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan is Chief Executive of Nesta (the UK’s National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts). Nesta combines investment in early stage companies, grant programmes in fields ranging from health and education to the arts and giving, and research. From 2004-2011 Geoff was the first Chief Executive of the Young Foundation, which became a leading centre for social innovation, combining research, creation of new ventures and practical projects.

Between 1997 and 2004 Geoff had various roles in the UK government including director of the Government’s Strategy Unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office. Before that he was the founder and director of the think-tank Demos.

This lunchtime lecture will start promptly at 12:30pm. The lecture will include time for a short Q&A, and refreshments.

28 February, 6:00pm – What would Beveridge say now? - Julia Unwin

Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) will discuss the social, economic and political changes experienced in the UK since the ground breaking and revolutionary Beveridge report was published in 1942. She will explore the implications of those changes, the nature of a 21st century response and will argue that nothing less than a new settlement, fit for the 21st century, is needed to address contemporary challenges.

Time: 6:00pm

The lecture will include time for a short Q&A, and refreshments.

Free to attend, more details on booking tickets on the Toynbee Hall website