Lucy Bannister

I'm getting really really fed up at constant reassertion that welfare spending is "out of control" when it is the same as the average for the past few decades.

One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.

Packed event at Labour Party Conference, where we put our findings on the impact of stigma to the Minister for Social Security & Disability.

Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.

Four panelists seated on a stage with microphones, participating in a live discussion during our event, with audience members visible.

Last night along with @thefabians.bsky.social we hosted our panel event on stigma.

It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25

A photo of the departures board at Euston Station showing we are going to Liverpool Lime Street.

I’m Sam the Policy & PA officer at Turn2us and I’ll be doing a takeover of our BlueSky account for #Lab25

We’re excited to be heading to Liverpool. Join us later today for our panel event with @thefabians.bsky.social

7PM at The Bluecoat: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...

This Sunday at the Labour Party Conference, we will put our latest research findings and recommendations to Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability.

Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social

Demoralising, frustrating processes are harming individuals - half of claimants said the process worsened their mental health - and eroding trust in DWP.

To successfully improve employment support and the PIP assessment, government reforms must prioritise treating people with dignity and respect.

‘The benefits system is set up to make you fail – it’s devastating’ More than half of all benefit claimants (51 per cent) say that claiming has damaged their mental health, research from welfare charity Turn2Us reveals

This week @turn2us.org.uk released new research with Uni of Bristol, demonstrating how stigma towards claimants has broken our social security system.

Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.

Social Insecurity | Fabian Society Fabian Society

Turn2us will be at the Labour Party Conference with the @thefabians.bsky.social, where we will put these findings to the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms.
 
Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...

An image with the Turn2us logo and tagline "Tackling financial insecurity together." The main text states: "Our report highlights how institutional stigma within the benefits system fuels demoralising and infantilising processes, reducing confidence and worsening health. This not only damages claimants' self-worth but also undermines trust in the DWP and Jobcentres." Below the text is a photo of Lucy Bannister with the caption "Lucy Bannister, Head of Policy & Influencing, Turn2us."

We have today published new research with the @bristoluni.bsky.social which demonstrates the extent to which stigma has been embedded into the design of our social security system: bit.ly/47XWX5e

Social Insecurity: How to Restore Trust in the System

Sunday 28 | 19.00 | Bluecoat | @turn2us.org.uk

I was on £100k. Now I’m on my first trip to the job centre at 48 Three months ago Frank Gibson was a high earner in the tech industry. Now he’s lost his job and his savings have run out. Can a twentysomething with long pink nails and fake lashes help him find work?

Gross snobbery, but what shines through is a system broken by a focus on control rather than support.

When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.

Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...

A few days left to apply for our new Social Change Manager role at @turn2us.org.uk - driving forward our systemic change ambition to reduce the stigma associated with needing financial support.

If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...

✊ Change happens when we stand together to demand it. Join our free Get Organised meetings for #ScotlandDemandsBetter!
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/

White and orange copy on a black background: In a country as wealthy as ours, sickness should never mean hunger or eviction. Last week the government accepted the need for further review and consultation before making severe cuts to PIP. The same care must be taken with Universal Credit. Write to your MP Stop the cuts to Universal Credit

Tomorrow MPs will vote again on plans to cut over £200 a month from people too ill to work.

Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.

Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...

Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit

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So relieved to see Labour MPs standing firm in their solidarity here.

Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.

It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.

This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve

Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective

UPDATE- I’m told there are 99 signatures

DWP confirms new 13-week PIP rule ahead of major benefit shake-up A new 13-week transitional period before payments are stopped has been revealed as part of the new Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

Our Chief Exec ‪@thomasjlawson.bsky.social‬ speaking about these nonsensical cuts to our social security system.

"There is no moral justification for cutting the support that allows sick and disabled people to meet their basic needs, live independently, and fully take part in society."

Government officials brace for up to 50 Labour MPs rebelling against welfare bill Sources say party should have focused on the moral case for reforming the benefits system

Apparently the government regrets making a financial instead of 'moral case' for its huge cuts our social security system. 🤔

Newsflash: There is no moral case for cutting critical support that enables sick and disabled people to live independently, afford the essentials and access work.

Supporting better conversations about social security Turn2us has published two new guides to encourage more positive and respectful conversations about social security.

(4/4) How we talk about social security matters.

We’re asking MPs and journalists to use our Talking About Social Security guides, to ensure their messages help build up our social-security system and avoid fueling harmful stigma: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...

(3/4) The government must scrap the cuts and work with disabled people to create a social-security system that we can all trust and be proud of.

Write to your MP and ask them to oppose the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/172350/...

Orange and white text on a black background: We need a social-security system that we can all trust and be proud of. Ask your MP to scrap cuts to vital support

(1/4) Like our NHS, our social-security system should be there for all of us when we need it. Yet, this week, the government is expected to bring forward legislation that will cut vital support and push more people, especially those who are disabled, into poverty.

Powerful letter from @carers-uk.bsky.social calling on the government to delay planned cuts to support for disabled people & carers, and change course to implement measures that 'alleviate rather than exacerbate' carer poverty. www.carersuk.org/news-and-cam...

Southwark Council 'Securing the Future of Council Housing' campaign team stood on the LGC Awards stage.

The team celebrating, point at the 'Securing the Future of Council Housing' logo on the wall of shortlisted teams at the LGC Awards.

On Wednesday I was back with my Southwark Council team, celebrating the Securing the Future of Council Housing being shortlisted for the LGC's Campaign of the Year!

And what a day for it - the Chancellor's social housing investment was yet another HUGE win for our campaign to #SaveCouncilHousing 🎉🏘️

Orange and white text on a black background: Cutting critical disability support will deepen child poverty, worsen health conditions and create further barriers to employment. Our social security system should be here for all of us when we need it. Ask your MP to scrap the planned cuts.

(1/5) In her spending review the Chancellor promises renewal, renewal that will be felt in people’s everyday lives.

Every day at Turn2us we see the severe impact that financial insecurity has on the millions of people we support...

SR response from Turn2us:

"...It is fantastic to have this investment in the NHS, social housing, local transport and free school meals. However, cutting critical disability support will simultaneously deepen child poverty, worsen health conditions and create further barriers to employment...."

A quick thread on how planned cuts to disability benefits will affect voters in Labour-Reform battlegrounds. (1/4)