Principles of the Social Guarantee
Across the range of life’s essentials, there will be different combinations of direct state provision, local initiatives, enabling public policies and individual contributions. In every case these principles apply:
Access to life’s necessities is an entitlement, not a privilege or concession
Access is based on need, not ability to pay
Power in deciding how needs are met is devolved to the lowest appropriate level
Services delivered by state & non-state organisations, all sharing enforceable public interest obligations. These support collaboration & reinvestment, not competition or profit extraction
Meaningful participation in planning and delivering services by residents and service users, in close partnership with professionals and other service workers
Service workers have fair pay, secure conditions and high-quality training and career development
There are clear rules and procedures for establishing and enforcing entitlements.
Services must be sustainable, and promote and enable sufficiency within planetary boundaries