Promoting fairness in Sheffield

In the light of growing inequalities, several urban areas in the UK established Fairness Commissions between 2010 and 2013. In one of these areas, Sheffield, there was an attempt to do something different and innovative. Sheffield on average was, and remains one of the least deprived major cities in England, but also one of the most unequal. Following the publication of the Commission’s report which included an analysis of evidence and 90 recommendations, Sheffield responded by pursuing a number of city-wide initiatives involving different stakeholders. These included monitoring progress towards a fairer city, action on the living wage, a city-wide campaign to promote Sheffield as the fairest city, and ‘Sheffield Money’ to provide support for those households facing financial exclusion. The continuation of austerity measures still creates severe challenges to the ambitions and work of the Sheffield Fairness Commission, but experiences have shown how leadership through example and the co-production of an active campaign can give articulation to a shared desire to address injustices in the city.