When the "haves" rip off the "have-nots". Homelessness is a collective failure for all of us as society. And private property is not the prize for talent and effort. It’s the byproduct of public policies, the same policies that cause homelessness. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

✂️ The UK’s social security system doesn’t just fail people — it breaches basic human rights. A new report shows benefits are way below international standards. Poverty isn’t a policy accident; it’s a political choice. @koldocasla.bsky.social theconversation.com/the-uks-soci...

So what do you do when 32 people across the UK want to be part of deciding the next steps for GRIPP and there's no budget for a residential? Well we send our Cocktail Stick on tour! Starting today from Bushey to Manchester, then onto Stockton on Tees and Glasgow and then London next week...

PRESS RELEASE from @raparuk.bsky.social: St Peter's Square homeless camp, evicted 26/02, moves to Albert Square. RAPAR working with camp residents asks: "Why is MCR City Council refusing to find housing for homeless people before turning them out of their tents...?" www.rapar.co.uk/press-releas...

In front of UN CESCR, last week the UK Gov Admitted Failure in the Handling of the Separation of Children from Families in Poverty. 🇬🇧 An issue raised by Essex HR Centre @universityofessex.bsky.social with @grippuk.bsky.social & @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social hrcessex.wordpress.com/2025/02/19/t...

We are in Geneva at the United Nations and our message is clear. #CESCR2025

We are in Geneva at the UN to highlight the urgent state of everyday rights in the UK – it’s clear that the system is broken. With 30+ orgs, we gave evidence to @justfairuk.bsky.social's submission. Now, we need action to build a fairer UK. #CESCR2025 gypsy-traveller.org/news/joint-s... (1/5)

Ready and waiting for the meeting between NGOs and #OHCHR organised by @hrw.org No time for lunch so eating left over breakfast from the hotel!! #CESCR2025 @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @atd4thworld.bsky.social

Closing remarks from rapateur of #CESCR2025 raises his concerns about the reality of poverty in the UK that he has heard first hand from those with lived experience of such violations. Also thanking contribution of those who have travelled to Geneva & the valuable evidence that they have provided

Great last question from Committee Member Ms Lee in #CESCR2025 challenging the Govt to share how it will improve social security and not just see it as a tool to force people to work but as a system that should treat all recipients with dignity and respect

Poem by @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social sums up how we feel about UK Government's response @ #CESCR2025 right now @thriveteesside.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @amnestyuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social

Chair of #CESCR2025 questioning UK report that put such emphasis on future plans, future reviews with little about actual implementation or change We would ask, if the Govt is going to be develop all of these future plans, how are will people living in poverty be involved in developing these plans?

DWP responses in #CESCR2025 included accepting that the child poverty strategy due to be published in Spring isnt enough to help people now. Emphasis was put on the govt fair repayment scheme which will limit repayment to 15% for those on UC.

We welcome the #CESCR2025 questioning the UK Government about delays Trans community are facing in accessing healthcare #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Good to hear the #CESCR2025 committee asking why a country like the UK with its resources and capacity has such issues related to #foodpoverty leading to malnutrition and related disease.

This is the 1st time, as far as I can gather from my own research, that the CESCR has raised the issue of children in care from families in poverty in relation to any country. The UK Gov admitted failure, and that it has to change. It's something to hold them to account in the future. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧

The Government just responded to a CESCR question about refugees and asylum seekers hosted by the Home Office in hotels. They forgot to mention that nearly 30% of their ODA budget is spent on this, neither overseas, nor development. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧 Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri....

Frustrated by DWP at #CESCR2025 talking about child poverty seriously referencing a 10yr strategy but not giving any detail in how it will work to reduce household costs. The talk of "building financial resilience" drives us nuts! Poor people are resilient - we have to be, every day!

Pleased to hear UK Govt agreeing with our #CESCR2025 submission & the work of @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social that too many children experiencing poverty are being taken away from their families. Now we need to hold them to account in their commitment to work to ensure more families stay together

Ready for day 2 at #CESCR2025 with a strong cuppa coffee in my favourite mug from our friend and ally @helstinki.bsky.social

Amanda from @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social shares her reflections on the first day at #CESCR2005 with @raparuk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social. Feeling positive that the Committee is listening to lived experience knowledge but frustrated with the govt's usual... youtube.com/shorts/aQZ3p...

🏠Home = human right 🏥 Health = human right 📚Education = human right 🥗Food = human right ☔Social security = human right 👷🏽‍♀️Work & workers’ rights = human rights 👪Support for family = human right 📣 Everyday rights are human rights.

📣 We had to bring this to the UN… We joined activists at @grippuk.bsky.social to expose how the UK fails to protect our everyday rights—and what must change.

So proud of our sisters from @thriveteesside.bsky.social and their collaborators from @grippuk.bsky.social for speaking on our behalfs at #CESCR2025 at the UN in Geneva. Lived experience accounts need to be heard to tackle #poverty #discrimination and #injustice in the UK and worldwide

Following speaking with #CESCR2025 committee members @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social feels there is now a chink of hope. Responses were very positive and they welcomed the sharing of our experiences saying how valuable it is to hear & that they don't usually have opportunity to hear this lived reality

The absence of lived experience voices, systems creating constant fear, a government intent on divide & conquer tactics - the issues we just raised with members of #CESCR2025 committee Watch our 3 speeches here: @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social

and what can possibly be the reasons why the UK Gov refuses to eliminate the two-child limit? #CESCR2025 🇬🇧

The UK govt’s delegate from the DWP takes mic again to respond to this point on participation. It’s quite evidently not current practice but may be something they will pass back to colleagues in London at the DWP. The Scots govt rep says proposed human rights bill will include participatory process.

Great reflection from one of the writers of the GRIPP submission to #CESCR2025 The harsh and punitive language the #UKgovernment uses, its efforts to divide us, constant efforts to create fear causes intentional harm to individuals and our communities

Just have to note that as we end #CESCR2025 meeting about the UK with talk about refugee rights in Britain, this afternoon the committee will be looking at Peru... Can anyone else think of some links between Peru and Britain and refugees?

Many members of GRIPP who can't be in Geneva today are watching the live stream of the #CESCR2005 meeting...turns out even some cats are concerned about #everydayrights!

Great to hear one #CESCR2025 committee member, asking about how those with lived experience can be involved in participatory approach to measuring poverty and benefit levels in the UK. We look forward to hearing the answer from the UK Government...

Good points raised by the #CESCR2025 member Ms Lee, highlighting how the #RighttoSocialSecurity is not being met - that the level of benefits is insufficient and policies such as the benefit cap, 2 child limit, bedroom tax and 5 week wait on new UC claims place individuals in more difficulties.

We welcome comments from Harris at #CESCR2025 ....govt recognise homelessness is far too high & there is need for a long term solution. Cross government strategy with £233m for a range of support & interventions include homelessness support, prevent rough sleeping & address temporary accommodation.

We welcome the comment in the #CESCR2025 meeting from Harris, from housing communities and local government saying that the shared prosperity fund was still in place and that spending has been ramped up with £1.5 billion and that there will focus on local priorities.

As the UK’s examination by the UN #CESCR begins, it is truly heartening to see a room like this, full of civil society actors and the national human rights institutions engaging with the process. The growing currency of economic and social rights in UK debates is clear.

Comment from Miss Parsons in #CESCR2025 made both Tracey and Julie sigh..."those on lowest income receive 4 times as much in public spending compared to what they pay in tax ..." ...to be clear Julie's comments were a lot stronger... but lets just say she said this "was lies"

Listening to the opening remarks of the #CESCR2025 review from the UK rapateur Nonthasoot.

#CESCR2025 The country rapporteur just said that the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights received 72 submissions from civil society, and confirmed my suspicion that it is likely a world record. You can watch the UN-UK dialogue here: webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h...

"800 miles away from Teesside, a million miles away from our lived reality but we do have a right to be here, a right to have our say" at #CESCR2025 @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/e_l3e...

A big day ahead for @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social and @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social at #CESCR2025 talking about value of lived experience, fears associated with social security system and the instrumental use of divide and conquer in our communities. youtube.com/shorts/vZ15H...

We have written to the @theguardian.com w/ @hrw.org about the UN review of the UK’s human rights record tomorrow. The UN is grilling the UK on poverty, housing & workers’ rights—because the system is failing. It's time for our everyday rights to be in UK law. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

"Been an amazing journey to Geneva. The years before & the day today. Looking forward to hearing GRIPP members speaking truth to power tomorrow @ #CESCR2025" Our Laura from @amnestyuk.bsky.social with delegates from @raparuk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social & @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social

And as our Brian from @povertytruthscot.bsky.social solutions once said, "Be more French!" @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social is finding inspiration on her journey to #CESCR2025 today

Quote of the day from Amanda, from @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social & founding member of GRIPP: "Hope the committee listen and are prepared to have meaningful conversations that lead to change" Travelling to Geneva for the #CESCR2025 review with @raparuk.bsky.social and @thriveteesside.bsky.social

@thriveteesside.bsky.social - always facing forward, leaving no one behind. On the way to Geneva #CESCR2005 review with @raparuk.bsky.social & @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social

🚨 From Teesside to Geneva 🚨 Tracey from @thriveteesside.bsky.social shares why she’s taking the voices of Teesside—an area once rich in industry & heritage, now worn down by harsh policies—to the United Nations in Geneva. People here deserve to be heard. Watch part 1 🎥👇

Our @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social from @thriveteesside.bsky.social contemplating the days ahead as she travels to #CESCR2025 review in Geneva

Here Tracey from @thriveteesside.bsky.social shares why its so important that "people like us" share our knowledge and expertise with the UN #CESCR2025 to inform debate and lead to fairer policies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dr8... @raparuk.bsky.social @atd4thworld.bsky.social