It was preceded by the Social Exclusion Unit, which was set up by the Labour government in 1997 and formed part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The SEU, launched on 8 December 1997, outlined social exclusion as: "A shorthand label for what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown"[3]The SEU published over 50 reports in many areas of social policy.
The Action Plan's recommendations were criticised as "very disappointing and extremely weak"[4] and "elementary" by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
[5] In 2005, the SEU published Transitions: Young Adults with Complex Needs which identified 27 cross-governmental action points to improve support for 16- to 25-year-olds by teaching them "basic life skills".
The task force aimed to ensure that Government departments work together to deliver services for the most disadvantaged members of society.