Has Britain become an uncivil society? A new report published today, with the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), argues that incivility is becoming increasingly common. Whether in the behaviour of TV and radio presenters, revellers out on a Saturday night or drunks on airplanes, and that few issues matter as much to the public.

When people in positions of leadership – from journalists to politicians, sports stars to business chief executives – behave badly, or are seen to be gratuitously offensive, or selfish, this inevitably affects how others behave. Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles; the footballer Didier Drogba; the former Chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland Fred Goodwin: each in their different ways has acted out values opposite to those of mindful civility.

Civility Lost and Found looks at the nature of civility in British society and, through a mix of research and contributions from a number of eminent people addresses what we mean by civility and looks at what can be done now to cultivate a more civil society.

Published by the Young Foundation with the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council it points to a wide range of actions that could help to make Britain a more civil society, all of which build on projects already underway: powerful institutions taking more responsibility for the impact of their actions, and those of their leaders; the Internet offering civility checks for emails; firms and public services offering apologies when things go wrong, rather than oscillating between defensiveness and financial compensation; teenagers playing roles as civil guardians on the streets; schools teaching mindfulness; police forces providing on the spot prizes as well as spot fines for young people.

The report includes commentaries from leading politicians and thinkers. Liam Byrne MP calls for more character education in schools and volunteering to instil habits of civility. Francis Maude MP points out that his children are ruder to him than he was to his parents – but also closer. Political correctness he points out is often about civility. Baroness Neuberger writes “ … often an apology and a gesture of civility matters more than compensation”. Other essays look at the role of religion and
volunteering in promoting civility.

For more information on the report ‘Civility Lost and Found’ go to: www.youngfoundation.org.uk

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Notes for editors:
Media contact: Emi Spinner, Communications Officer e.spinner@ahrc.ac.uk, 0117 9876 770

Published by the Young Foundation and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the book looks at what people discuss when they look at what is wrong with society. Contributions to the research came from leading politicians including Liam Byrne MP, Francis Maude MP and Baroness Julia Neuberger, as well as historians, a head teacher, psychologists and charities.

About Arts and Humanities Research Council‐ Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute over a quarter of all research‐active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.

The Young Foundation combines creativity and entrepreneurship to tackle major social needs. We work on many different levels to achieve positive social change – including advocacy, research, and policy influence as well as creating new
organisations and running practical projects. The Foundation benefits from a long history of social research, innovation and practical action by the late Michael Young, once described as “the world’s most successful entrepreneur” who created more than 60 ventures which address social needs. www.youngfoundation.org
Media contact: Helen Crumley, Events & Communications Manager, helen.crumley@youngfoundation.org, 020 8709 9265