Title: Fairer, caring nations? The governance of care policy, constitutional change and addressing inequalities - lessons for Scotland - INVITED RESUBMISSION
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract: Despite increasing powers following devolution to address women's poverty and inequality in Scotland, deep social and structural divisions remain and women experience high risks of poverty and inequality. Childcare and long-term care policies have been shown in many developed welfare states as being one effective way of tackling the structural causes of women's inequality. However, Scotland faces a 'care crisis': rising demand for care and support for disabled and older people coupled with social, economic and demographic changes which place great pressure on its resources. This is a challenge facing all developed welfare states. Scotland is not alone in attempting to tackle structural inequalities (particularly along the lines of gender, disability and age) which affect its ability to achieve a 'wealthier, fairer society'. Scotland is also not alone in attempting in particular to foster economic growth through women's greater participation in public life. In the run-up to a referendum on constitutional change in Scotland, there is little easily-accessible evidence that tells us which option to choose if we want fairer care polices, and how to link those care policies to effective ways to tackle gender inequality in Scotland. How should we organise the 'governance' of care in Scotland to achieve gender equality? If Scotland remains part of the UK, can it tackle gender inequality through its care policies? If it choses independence, how should it organise its care policies to tackle gender inequality? What kind of governance options in care policy are available? This project will gather evidence to answer the following questions: 1. What does the international evidence tell us about the potential for care policy to address or exacerbate inequality? 2. What governance options offer the best outcomes in addressing inequalities through care policy? 3. What role do national, regional and local care policies play in achieving equitable, fair outcomes in care policy? 4. What governance options in care policy should Scotland choose to achieve equitable, fair outcomes in care policy? 5. How would constitutional change (e.g. independence) affect these options? The project would do this by: 1. Drawing together the available evidence from developed welfare states who have managed to achieve good levels of egalitarian policy outcomes, particularly (but not exclusively) on gendered lines 2. Identifying examples of 'good' welfare regimes and examining their care policies in detail 3. Testing the evidence out on a range of people in Scotland and Wales who are concerned with gender equality and care policy 4. Working with a range of people and organisations to see which features of policy could translate into the Scottish policy context 5. Giving individuals and organisations the evidence to campaign for the constitutional option in Scotland which will stand the greatest chance of achieving 'fair' care policy, and a more gender equal society. In developing this project, the applicant has drawn on existing academic knowledge about welfare regimes, care policies and gender inequality. However, she has also drawn on issues that have been raised by non-academic experts on gender inequality and care policy in Scotland. In this project, she will continue to work with international experts and key stakeholders in Scotland to reach a wide audience and have a significant impact on the debates about Scotland's constitutional future.


Research activity codes: 8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE