📢 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

Cutting the UC health element is unlikely to incentivise disabled people to work. But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:

The government argues that cutting UC health will incentivise people to work. But this unlikely... ♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions 🏢 There are limited accessible jobs 🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)

Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted! 🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

ICYMI We published 2 excellent briefs on Universal Credit recently, feeding into the government's review of how well Universal Credit is (not) working 🧵

A thorough analysis by @julia-rt.bsky.social and @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social of how Universal Credit reacts to fluctuating incomes and pay cycles that do not align with UC assessment periods. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

Crucial message from Citizen's Advice: "When both working full-time and claiming maximum benefit entitlement leaves one in a low-income limbo, focusing on making the former slightly more financially beneficial than the latter is only ever going to have a limited impact on outcomes..." (1/2)

Great report from Jagna showing that UC incentives to work are often misguided and overly complex. Instead what we need is more investment in supporting people to find and stay in suitable work 👇

Excellent briefing and thread from @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social 👇 We looked into how our clients really experience the transition to work from the Universal Credit system, suggesting work incentives are helpful but not adequate, and wider barriers to employment are being overlooked

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...

Excellent deep dive report and a thread on the intersection of health inequalities and low-quality employment in Chapeltown by @dremilylynn.bsky.social: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

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 🙂

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...

We've called for a national framework for crisis support, ensuring there's a consistent minimum standard of support wherever you live - reaping the rewards of a local approach with less risk of postcode lottery. The new Fund could be a chance to build in key principles of effective crisis support ⬇️

Some brilliant ideas for Jobcentres reform from @kslharrison.bsky.social ⬇️

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 (🧵)

Work won’t cut it New briefing for @citizensadvice.bsky.social by me and @beccastacey.bsky.social We look at whether people losing PIP and UC income will be better off *if* they move into employment, if reforms were implemented today Here's a quick 🧵 but spoiler alert: probably not

1️⃣ we're in the 7th cycle of the Household Support Fund 2️⃣ its future is still uncertain 3️⃣ and we still see record demand for crisis support ... so what should come next? New Citizens Advice paper on the future of crisis support + how to realise an approach that’s more than a sticking plaster🩹👇

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.

Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!

Disability benefit cuts will cause widespread hardship, no questions asked Quick thread 🧵 on the impact of cuts on why the govt needs to properly consult - or see the full post at: medium.com/@craig.berry...

Just over a year ago my PIP review was launched. By the time I got the letter in the post, I realised I had just 3 days left to prove my entitlement. Otherwise, my PIP might be stopped. That just isn’t enough time! New blog below ⬇️ wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/race-against...

A thorough and compelling analysis of the background and possible effects of the disability benefits cuts from my colleagues at @citizensadvice.bsky.social: medium.com/@craig.berry...

PIP is not 'easy' to claim - despite what some media reports might suggest. Gathering medical evidence is just one hoop people jump through to apply. And issues like long waiting times & charges for personalised letters make it far from easy. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

@citizensadvice.bsky.social chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty has written to Liz Kendall to outline our concerns ahead of the disability benefits green paper. We highlighted the risk of significant hardship from any cuts to, or narrowing of eligibility for, disability and incapacity benefits 1/3

We know the gov wants to bring down the benefits bill. But cutting disability benefits will push disabled people into poverty, not work. The gov says they want to raise living standards across the UK - disabled people must be part of these plans. My blog: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/short-sighte...

“It annoys me that they have this power over me and then if they tell me to jump, I have to do it." The report I wrote with @kslharrison.bsky.social discusses the dynamics between benefit claimants & their work coaches - and why it matters 🧵