Freedom or Free Work?

BBC Newsnight yesterday had a debate over the UK government's ideal of "The Big Society" where everyone participates more in their community - more volunteers, more input.

It sounds great, but it really only works for people who have the main pressures of life alleviated - you are not free if you have to worry about your livelihood and the well being of your dependants.

So how does taking away financial social support help generate more time and creativity in communities where to reach a happy balance on the very basic level of food, living conditions, education, mobility, recognition etc is already a very consuming challenge.

Giving your time as a volunteer, as an expert consultant, as a member of a committee, or any other such noble cause, is a luxury and a government has to help us achieve the freedom to indulge our natural altruism. Yes, people want to help each other, but can they afford to?