More bad news for families we help @citizensadvice.bsky.social - the cost of their food shop still rising after years of spiralling prices. With half the people we help with debt already in a negative budget, even small rises push people closer to crisis

Headlines will be grabbed today by pressure on the government's economic strategy, but what these figures really show is that pressure on households never lets up. The cost of living crisis is not over. In last year we've helped 25k people with crisis support and food banks.

New paper from Citizens Advice on how to deliver tangible growth - which puts money in people’s pockets - in consumer markets. TLDR: Consumer confidence is key & slashing hard won consumer protections without adequate safeguards isn’t the answer.

If the UCPIP Bill becomes law it will cut PIP for over 400k disabled people & UC for over 700k people who are disabled or have a long-term health condition by 2030. Government’s own impact assessment says the cuts will plunge 150k people into poverty by the end of this Parliament

If the UCPIP Bill passes, the arbitrary 4 point rule will be enshrined in law. It will prevent the Timms Review from being genuine co-production with disabled people. Citizens Advice is urging MPs to vote for their constituents & against the Bill tday. wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/these-are-no...

Exempting current claimants from harmful cuts does not mean profound harm will not be inflicted as result of UCPIP bill. Citizens Advice is urging MPs to vote against the bill. These are not reforms. They are cuts to people who can least afford it. wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/these-are-no...

After all the rumours we now know what's in the amendment. From November next year, new claimants who need help to cut up food, dress, wash, or use the toilet would be denied the lifeline that PIP provides. For young disabled people and people who become disabled in the future, it is utterly bleak

Just spoke to @timesradio with a bit of myth busting on PIP and response to rebel deal. Yes, big concessions from govt for current claimants but this is a political fix that creates unequal policy. All it takes is illness or life event for any of us to need PIP. People will have less.

How will the proposed disability benefit cuts impact disabled people? Today we’re sharing the story of one of the people we’ve helped: Anita*. The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗ New blog out now: medium.com/p/1ab8959922a1

The new government has committed to reducing health inequalities. At Citizens Advice, we have a unique insight into many of the different factors that can shape people’s health. So it’s exciting to be leading a new project, funded by @healthfoundation.bsky.social, to study this important topic.

Good to speak to @theipaper.com last week about the impact of disability benefit reform We're still to see the full impact - should be clearer after tomorrow - but a huge risk that govt undermines its own aims on things like child poverty with these cuts inews.co.uk/news/how-ben...

This week marks 5 years since the first Covid restrictions came in. Yesterday's news on disability benefits just adds to the sense that these years have been pretty relentless for people we help. Some quick takeaways from our latest research into how people's lives - and budgets - have changed:

Even before today's announcements, disabled people were some of the least resilient to any shocks or changes to their finances. Over 4 in 10 people receiving disability benefits are already struggling to afford their essentials every month, and 1 in 4 have avoided medical costs to pay other bills.

"We're really concerned about the effects. The Govt has talked about how it wants to boost living standards and tackle child poverty, but you can't do that while slashing support for those who need it most" - Citizens Advice CEO Dame Clare Moriarty on BBC World at One @citizensadvice.bsky.social

Looking ahead to the disability benefits green paper, this essay for @citizensadvice.bsky.social makes the case for a system focused on improving health outcomes. Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵