Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation explores white working-class views on community cohesion and the impact of social change.
Community cohesion has been influential in shaping government policy since the 2001 disturbances in Burnley, Oldham and Bradford. During this period, few studies have assessed the contribution of white working-class communities to cohesion.
"When there are academic and policy discussions on race and cohesion, the views of white working class communities seem to be pretty low on the agenda. How can this be right? I grew up in an area like this, and I think the people who live there deserve better.
At worst, a range of stereotypes most of us are very familiar with have reduced them to a cultural laughing stock. Mocked as being stupid, living in sink estates and gullible supporters of the extreme right, they appear to be have been ignored by policy makers, politicians and researchers. At best they appear to be a hidden group that have not merited serious research."