📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support

The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1

New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing published with @julia-rt.bsky.social‬ on how Universal Credit can adapt to promote income stability for working households. We set out policy options for the UC review to consider to reflect the reality of low paid employment.

The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives. This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵 🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

Great to see @julia-rt.bsky.social's work getting a bit of recognition here. The UC review (DWP's 'other' Timms review!) has kinda been forgotten recently but we're still pushing the government to make the changes necessary for UC to succeed www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/cost-of...

This is a really important piece of work to be read alongside our report on health and work from last week. It takes a local focus, to show how intersecting inequalities are crucial to understanding the barriers to people accessing work that benefits, rather than harms, their health.

Health inequalities and cause/effect re local labour market experiences - brilliant thread by @dremilylynn.bsky.social on our deep dive into Chapeltown in Leeds 👇

🚨 New report alert 🚨 We’ve launched our first local deep dive research into health inequalities - starting in Chapeltown, Leeds. What does geography have to do with health & work? Quite a lot, it turns out. 🧵

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.

Brilliant in-depth report from Ed and Emily looking at health inequalities and work. Well worth a read!

Our report on economic activity and health inequalities - absolutely packed with insights from @epemberton.bsky.social and @dremilylynn.bsky.social. See Ed's thread below for a summary

1) New report alert 📚! Written [email protected] and myself, it looks at the relationship between health and work. It is the first report from our wider project on health inequalities, funded by @healthfoundation.bsky.social‬. 🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

We are coming together as organisations committed to fighting poverty, providing advice, and supporting and championing the rights of disabled people, their families, and carers. We are calling for the UK government to withdraw the UC & PIP Bill Full statement: www.ucpipbill.co.uk/wp-content/u...

A long thread on why the concessions in and around the UCPIP Bill (ie the disability benefits cuts) are illusory, disingenuous and potentially makes things worse 🧵 There are 5 big myths to bust -fifth is the most difficult to untangle, but the most significant in my view, so please do bear with 🙂

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

In parliament today to brief MPs on the need for them to vote against the disability benefits cuts bill. Interesting to hear from parliamentary staffers that it's constituents contacting them that is having the most impact. Please email your MP now, even if you have already! It's not too late

Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. But what's actually in the bill and what happens next? New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...

Really handy explainer from Victoria on the new UC and PIP bill going through parliament and why we’re calling on MPs to vote against it 👇

Its time for change in Jobcentres, but how do we do it? My new paper proposes a vision for Jobcentre reform. The central idea is to introduce case workers, who would be service users’ main point of contact and offer ongoing pastoral and practical support 🧵 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

The Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out plans to cut billions from health and disability benefits. Instead of getting people into work, these cuts will push hundreds of thousands into poverty. Our new report looks at the impact of cuts to PIP, UC health & scrapping the WCA (🧵)

New blog on the Fair Repayment Rate, in effect since 30 April. It's lowered deductions + raised UC incomes for many - BUT must be the first, not the only, step govt. takes to tackling deductions. ⚠️ We now need action on the causes of deductions, crucially the 5 week wait.

Read the essay here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

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.

I’ve written about how the government's cuts agenda conflicts with its employment agenda Reducing the financial support that enables many to access employment will only create further barriers to work for disabled people wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-efforts-...