The only predictable thing about 2013 is that it’ll be as unpredictable as 2012.  We sail in uncharted political waters.  Conservatives and Liberal Democrats seem reluctantly ready to renew their marriage vows, with rumour of an imminent ‘programme for Government part two’.  But with another looming budget, a possible autumn spending review, difficult poll ratings and red lines neither side wants to cross, they might just be working on some fresh prenups too. 

Pressure is mounting on ministers to deliver a range of pledges from economic growth, deficit reduction and youth employment, to social care reform and support for marriage in the tax system.  And next year marks the introduction of Universal Credit – the much debated welfare reform.  Universal Credit was designed by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) as a mass investment to tackle worklessness and to help the ‘working poor’.  For all the inevitable challenges and its evolution under the Coalition, ministers say it will officially ‘go live’ in the autumn.      

Across the despatch box, an increasingly confident Labour leader has Benjamin Disraeli on repeat, but he knows people want that translated into workable solutions for society, the economy and our politics – as his policy reviews have promised.  And beyond Westminster, councils wrestle with further funding reductions while many poverty-fighting charities battle a worrying irony: never have they been so popular with Government ministers but so vulnerable to extinction. 

The CSJ team will be on the road in 2013.  Having commissioned Breakthrough Britain II, we’re travelling the length and breadth of the UK to find solutions to the deepest social challenges of our day.  From family breakdown to the devastation of serious personal debt, we want to offer politicians game-changing ideas to transform lives and improve communities.  All sides of the political community have committed to working with the CSJ when we present our plans, so be in touch with us if you want to play a part. 

This time last year we revealed that 400,000 older people spend Christmas day alone, despite many having family in the UK.  There are countless other people across the country – old and young – who are hoping for something radically different next year.  Indeed all the talk of ‘One Nation’ tends to overlook the point Disraeli was making – that Britain is characterised by two nations.  The poor and the rest. When our team goes to so many disadvantaged neighbourhoods we see how shamefully relevant that diagnosis remains. But to say it’s relevant is not to say it’s inevitable.  Poverty and social breakdown are not inevitable.  Every day we encounter unlimited potential and desire in those we have for too long left behind.  And I hope the CSJ will play our part next year in speaking up for those who need a first chance, a second chance or a 50th chance in life.

In the meantime, I join the team here in sending you our very best wishes for a peaceful Christmas and happy new year.  We look forward to working with you in 2013.

Just days after Chancellor George Osborne failed to use his Autumn Statement to recognise marriage in the tax system, former Children's Minister Tim Loughton MP urged the Coalition to prioritise family policy.

He was speaking at an event where the CSJ launched a paper that outlined how introducing a transferable tax allowance for married couples would help some of the UK's poorest families.

The widely-respected Conservative MP delivered a lecture and outlined a 10-point family policy plan, which included increasing flexibility around childcare, rebalancing the relationship between state and families and introducing new measures to keep children safe online.

The lecture came as the CSJ launched Forgotten Families? The Vanishing Agenda and called on the Government to commit to its promise of recognising marriage in the tax system. There is a body of evidence that has shown a transferable tax for married couples would have a positive impact on the incomes of the poorest working households.

Mr Loughton, whose lecture was previewed in the Spectator, wrote for the Telegraph ahead of the CSJ event.

Social reform and tackling poverty are key to rejuvenating Britain’s economy, the CSJ’s Dr Samantha Callan argued on the BBC show Any Questions?

Speaking on the programme that analysed the Autumn Statement, Dr Callan also discussed family breakdown, press freedom and corporate tax avoidance. She appeared on the show alongside Leader of the House of Commons Andrew Lansley MP, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna, Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee and host Jonathan Dimbleby.

The CSJ received widespread media coverage following the Chancellor's Autumn Statement. Managing Director Christian Guy was also interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s World Tonight, BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tony Livesey show and LBC’s Nick Ferrari show.

Labour must embark on a ‘journey of self-discovery’ if it is to win the next general election, Jon Cruddas MP said as he rounded off a highly-successful series of lectures by the CSJ.

The head of Labour’s policy review was speaking at the last of three lectures that explored the party’s plans for social reform and the aim of creating a ‘Good Society’.

In his speech, Mr Cruddas looked at the role of the state in a ‘Good Society’ and said it was essential that an environment where people can work together for the common good is created. The MP for Dagenham and Rainham was critical of the previous Labour Government, which he said became too managerial and bureaucratic.

The widely-anticipated lectures heard earlier from former Government minister David Lammy MP, who discussed the role of family and community in a ‘Good Society’. The series was started by Graham Allen MP who outlined the importance of early intervention in reversing acute social problems.

A transcript of Mr Cruddas’ speech is available at the New Statesman.

To watch the lectures by Mr Lammy and Mr Allen click here and here.