Social mobility lags behind much of the developed world and Scotland needs solutions that go beyond religion and race to combat family breakdown, violence, poverty and inequity. Unemployment rates which were once lower than the UK average, are now higher. More children are estimated to be living in poverty today than ten years ago. There has been an increase in low-paid employment and in the proportion of babies born with a low birth-weight. Almost every marker of social deprivation has risen in recent years. The human services safety net must be strengthened for low-income families so that they can exercise their rights, fulfil their responsibilities and realise their full economic and social potential.

The Scotland Institute will research, examine and develop new programmes for literacy and employment development and those that develop social capital in the broadest sense to address the challenges and opportunities faced by communities in Scotland. Areas of research will include health and social work, education and training, local government and housing.