Monday was pretty wet, windy and rainy but being from North Wales originally - I was used to it. I had some UNISON stuff to sort out in the morning and my first fringe was "Why we need to track social economic diversity to break the class ceiling" (The Purpose Coalition and The Wise Group)".
As one of the panellists quoted (who bravely admitted he used to be a management consultant) "if you can't measure it you can't manage it".
In my question to the panel I said that I had taken part in engagements with major corporations on diversity in the boardroom and while some companies were very positive, when I asked about social economic diversity, some seemed very bothered that they will be expected to monitor class as well as everything else! I was sceptical that you will get meaningful data without regulation, such as the requirement to report on gender pay.
My favourite memory of this fringe is the Chair trying to also encourage his toddler son, sitting to the side, to be good and eat his chips (due to a breakdown in creche arrangements).
Next was "Building Worker Power: The New Deal for Working People" run by Labour Unions and IPPR.
This took place in a large hall which was packed to overflowing with standing room only. All the food had run out except for bread, cooked carrots and red cabbage. Which was still surprisingly tasty. UNISON & TUC EC officer, Gloria Mills, gave a passionate speech about rolling back decades of unfair, anti worker and anti-union laws and legal judgements.
Then "Saving for the Future: How can Labour's Pensions Review Help to Deliver Sustainable Retirement" (New Statesman & People's Partnership".
It was good to see Emma Reynolds MP in her new position as Minister of Pensions (and treasury role?). I can remember her speaking very well at a CLP meeting and at our UNISON Housing Association Branch AGM when she was the shadow Housing Minister. I think however, that we have to be careful in the pension world over the assumption that bigger is always better. I look forward to engaging with Emma another time about the role of pension consolidation, productive finance and retirement.
Final fringe of the day for me was "Funding Homes for Social Rent: A Role for Institutional Capital: Drinks Reception.(Prowgress, Home Builders Federation & Left Foot Forward).
While I would take issue with any wording that suggests you can provide social rented homes without government subsidy, there is definitely a role that Institutional Capital can play. Leaseback schemes for example, are incredibly complex and therefore risky but may provide at least a partial solution to the real risk to Council finances from the rising cost of Temporary accommodation and provide decent homes.
It was good to talk as well to a representative of a charity that I had "crossed swords" (big, big row) with in the past over their refusal to recognise trade unions for collective bargaining. This representative assured me that they were now very keen to consider trade union recognition and I will be sending their details to our UNISON Regional officer.
Afterwards I went to a private dinner and had a fascinating conversation on the role of Local Government and Growth. By coincidence many of us on my table had a connection with Stafford.
On the way home I stopped off for a drink at the first of the two "Newham Nights" with local Party members and Councillors.
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