Cara Leavey
@caraleavey.bsky.social
Public health PhD at Newcastle Uni // Interested in young people, work and health inequalities // Occasional policy bits for @healthequitynorth.bsky.social
It is so great to see this paper by @drvicmcgowan.bsky.social out at last - a much needed political economy lens to the issue of housing and its impact on health. Stories of disrepair, insecurity and homelessness, all in service of wealth extraction. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“Take away the greed of the private landlord housing market… because that is killing people”: Examining the political economy of housing and health inequalities in four English coastal towns.
Health inequalities are the avoidable and unjust differences in health that arise from how society and the economy are structured. These inequalities …
www.sciencedirect.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
It is so great to see this paper by @drvicmcgowan.bsky.social out at last - a much needed political economy lens to the issue of housing and its impact on health. Stories of disrepair, insecurity and homelessness, all in service of wealth extraction. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Welcome intervention, commissioned by @debbieabrahamsmp.bsky.social's Work and Pensions Select Committee, to demonstrate that better employment support for disabled people could generate significant fiscal savings, without needing to rely on crude cuts to benefits inews.co.uk/news/politic...
How Reeves could save £12bn without cutting disability benefits
Billions could be recouped by the Treasury by offering careers support for the disabled
inews.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Welcome intervention, commissioned by @debbieabrahamsmp.bsky.social's Work and Pensions Select Committee, to demonstrate that better employment support for disabled people could generate significant fiscal savings, without needing to rely on crude cuts to benefits inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
If you know someone who is thinking about doing a PhD and who is interested in health then please share this advert with them. It is an ESRC funded PhD working on trade unions and health as part of a collaboration with me and the @tuc.org.uk @lsesociology.bsky.social www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse...
LSE Collaborative Studentship with Trades Union Congress
LSE Collaborative Studentship with Trades Union Congress
www.lse.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:34 AM
If you know someone who is thinking about doing a PhD and who is interested in health then please share this advert with them. It is an ESRC funded PhD working on trade unions and health as part of a collaboration with me and the @tuc.org.uk @lsesociology.bsky.social www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
New annual report from @scothealtheq.bsky.social just launched - as well as providing an update on key stats + qualitative insights on socioeconomic drivers of health inequalities, report places spotlight on preventable deaths from drugs, alcohol & suicide scothealthequity.org/2025-inequal... 1/3
2025 Inequality Landscape - Scottish Health Equity Research Unit
scothealthequity.org
September 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
New annual report from @scothealtheq.bsky.social just launched - as well as providing an update on key stats + qualitative insights on socioeconomic drivers of health inequalities, report places spotlight on preventable deaths from drugs, alcohol & suicide scothealthequity.org/2025-inequal... 1/3
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Mental health problems are real. But they’re rarely people’s only barrier to work. People with experience of mental distress describe a wide range of social, economic, relational and structural barriers to work – in addition to the challenges posed by symptoms. It’s more than a mental health issue 🧵
August 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Mental health problems are real. But they’re rarely people’s only barrier to work. People with experience of mental distress describe a wide range of social, economic, relational and structural barriers to work – in addition to the challenges posed by symptoms. It’s more than a mental health issue 🧵
Lovely few days at @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social, so good that my only pics are some bunnies playing in the sun. Ending with a great session presenting some of my PhD research on work in deindustrialised communities (thank you @sionedps.bsky.social for chairing!)
July 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Lovely few days at @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social, so good that my only pics are some bunnies playing in the sun. Ending with a great session presenting some of my PhD research on work in deindustrialised communities (thank you @sionedps.bsky.social for chairing!)
Reposted by Cara Leavey
As mentioned in the welfare bill amendment, the Government has not yet published any analysis on the employment effects of its benefit cuts.
Here at @resfoundation.bsky.social, we gave it a go last month...
Here at @resfoundation.bsky.social, we gave it a go last month...
June 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
As mentioned in the welfare bill amendment, the Government has not yet published any analysis on the employment effects of its benefit cuts.
Here at @resfoundation.bsky.social, we gave it a go last month...
Here at @resfoundation.bsky.social, we gave it a go last month...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Here’s the story - the amendment will be published later this evening but expect more names to be added in the coming days
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
June 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Here’s the story - the amendment will be published later this evening but expect more names to be added in the coming days
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Medicalisation of public health: a narrative review
Yep
This stuff matters enormously
The medicalization of population health policy is a significant risk to, well, health
Read alongside Lantz
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37096631/
Medicalisation of public health: a narrative review
Yep
This stuff matters enormously
The medicalization of population health policy is a significant risk to, well, health
Read alongside Lantz
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37096631/
Medicalisation of public health: a narrative review
To critically examine the medicalisation of public health and its implications for addressing upstream social, environmental, and structural determina…
www.sciencedirect.com
June 22, 2025 at 8:59 PM
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Medicalisation of public health: a narrative review
Yep
This stuff matters enormously
The medicalization of population health policy is a significant risk to, well, health
Read alongside Lantz
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37096631/
Medicalisation of public health: a narrative review
Yep
This stuff matters enormously
The medicalization of population health policy is a significant risk to, well, health
Read alongside Lantz
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37096631/
Reposted by Cara Leavey
The government has introduced legislation today to implement cuts to disability & health benefits
There have been no substantial concessions on how the proposals were originally presented in the Green Paper
Here is what we know about the impact these cuts will have... 🧵
There have been no substantial concessions on how the proposals were originally presented in the Green Paper
Here is what we know about the impact these cuts will have... 🧵
June 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The government has introduced legislation today to implement cuts to disability & health benefits
There have been no substantial concessions on how the proposals were originally presented in the Green Paper
Here is what we know about the impact these cuts will have... 🧵
There have been no substantial concessions on how the proposals were originally presented in the Green Paper
Here is what we know about the impact these cuts will have... 🧵
Reposted by Cara Leavey
The government says its cuts to disability benefits are part of a “moral mission” to get more people working.
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
May 21, 2025 at 6:51 AM
The government says its cuts to disability benefits are part of a “moral mission” to get more people working.
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
Reposted by Cara Leavey
NEW: Internal DWP figures show 700,000 families *already* in poverty are forecast to be hit by planned disability benefit cuts
That's on top of the 250k+ who are predicted to be newly pushed into poverty by the changes
By me, for the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
That's on top of the 250k+ who are predicted to be newly pushed into poverty by the changes
By me, for the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Disability benefit cuts to hit 700,000 families already in poverty, DWP forecasts show
Internal government forecasts obtained by the Guardian reveal ‘truly shocking’ effects of planned cuts
www.theguardian.com
May 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
NEW: Internal DWP figures show 700,000 families *already* in poverty are forecast to be hit by planned disability benefit cuts
That's on top of the 250k+ who are predicted to be newly pushed into poverty by the changes
By me, for the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
That's on top of the 250k+ who are predicted to be newly pushed into poverty by the changes
By me, for the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
On Friday afternoon, the Govt published the evidence pack for its Pathways to Work Green Paper.
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
May 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
On Friday afternoon, the Govt published the evidence pack for its Pathways to Work Green Paper.
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
📢A new study from @uniofbath.bsky.social shows London's low emissions zones have had major benefits for human health and the economy, with a 10.2% decrease in respiratory issues following LEZ implementation, an **18.5%** reduction in sick leave, and annual public health savings of over £37 million.
“And Breathe Normally”: Impacts of low emission zones on sick leave and mental well-being
Air pollution poses a global concern due to its detrimental effects on climate, healthcare, and human capital accumulation. However, there is limited …
www.sciencedirect.com
April 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
📢A new study from @uniofbath.bsky.social shows London's low emissions zones have had major benefits for human health and the economy, with a 10.2% decrease in respiratory issues following LEZ implementation, an **18.5%** reduction in sick leave, and annual public health savings of over £37 million.
Reposted by Cara Leavey
The OBR has not yet been able to forecast any employment gain from the cuts/changes to incapacity & disability benefits
MPs are being asked to support around £6.5bn of cuts & increased conditionality for ill & disabled people without any clear assessment of what it will achieve
MPs are being asked to support around £6.5bn of cuts & increased conditionality for ill & disabled people without any clear assessment of what it will achieve
March 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The OBR has not yet been able to forecast any employment gain from the cuts/changes to incapacity & disability benefits
MPs are being asked to support around £6.5bn of cuts & increased conditionality for ill & disabled people without any clear assessment of what it will achieve
MPs are being asked to support around £6.5bn of cuts & increased conditionality for ill & disabled people without any clear assessment of what it will achieve
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Last week the government proposed cuts to disability and long-term sickness benefits.
These cuts will leave some disabled people significantly worse off.
📢 By 2029/30, someone that loses PIP daily living and LCWRA will be over £800 per month worse off 1/4
These cuts will leave some disabled people significantly worse off.
📢 By 2029/30, someone that loses PIP daily living and LCWRA will be over £800 per month worse off 1/4
March 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Last week the government proposed cuts to disability and long-term sickness benefits.
These cuts will leave some disabled people significantly worse off.
📢 By 2029/30, someone that loses PIP daily living and LCWRA will be over £800 per month worse off 1/4
These cuts will leave some disabled people significantly worse off.
📢 By 2029/30, someone that loses PIP daily living and LCWRA will be over £800 per month worse off 1/4
Reposted by Cara Leavey
'I was one of a group of parents living in poverty who met with members of the government in Downing Street last year to push for changes to this broken system. I worry now that our pleas for change have been ignored."
Brian on green paper in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Brian on green paper in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Turning on the lights is a luxury in my family. These benefit changes will push us even closer to the edge | Brian
For years we have cut back, and back again. My benefits will now be frozen, but there’s nothing left to sacrifice, says Brian, a Changing Realities participant
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 9:58 AM
'I was one of a group of parents living in poverty who met with members of the government in Downing Street last year to push for changes to this broken system. I worry now that our pleas for change have been ignored."
Brian on green paper in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Brian on green paper in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Powerful article for @lbc.co.uk from disabled mum of 3.
Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves need to read this before pressing ahead with huge cuts to disability benefits.
"The thought of my disability benefits being cut is keeping me up at night. There is nothing left for me to cut." 1/3
t.co/BJQ6WZshPh
Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves need to read this before pressing ahead with huge cuts to disability benefits.
"The thought of my disability benefits being cut is keeping me up at night. There is nothing left for me to cut." 1/3
t.co/BJQ6WZshPh
https://www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/views/single-mum-disability-cuts-child-poverty-benefits/
t.co
March 17, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Powerful article for @lbc.co.uk from disabled mum of 3.
Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves need to read this before pressing ahead with huge cuts to disability benefits.
"The thought of my disability benefits being cut is keeping me up at night. There is nothing left for me to cut." 1/3
t.co/BJQ6WZshPh
Keir Starmer & Rachel Reeves need to read this before pressing ahead with huge cuts to disability benefits.
"The thought of my disability benefits being cut is keeping me up at night. There is nothing left for me to cut." 1/3
t.co/BJQ6WZshPh
Reposted by Cara Leavey
A few months ago the FT suggested the surge in disability benefit claims may not have been driven by an actual rise in illness/disability, having found limited evidence for such a rise since the pandemic
Now the IFS has published research suggesting there has been a rise ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Now the IFS has published research suggesting there has been a rise ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Various indicators point to a deterioration in population mental health – likely contributing to rising disability benefit caseloads | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Mental health has worsened since the pandemic. This is consistent with rising disability benefit claims for mental health.
ifs.org.uk
March 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
A few months ago the FT suggested the surge in disability benefit claims may not have been driven by an actual rise in illness/disability, having found limited evidence for such a rise since the pandemic
Now the IFS has published research suggesting there has been a rise ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Now the IFS has published research suggesting there has been a rise ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Cutting PIP quite simply means harming people's welfare. The evidence is clearly there that Disabled people face higher living costs, and PIP helps alleviate that. It's got nothing to do with work. For example, from CASE 20 years ago: sticerd.lse.ac.uk/case/_new/pu...
Comparing incomes when needs differ: Equivalisation for the extra costs of disability in the UK
Equivalisation of incomes for household size and composition is accepted practice when measuring poverty and inequality; adjustments to take account of other variations in needs are rarely made. This paper explores the financial implications of one possible source of additional needs: disability. Using two UK household surveys, we seek to establish whether there are extra costs of living associated with disability, and to quantify them using the ¿standard of living¿ approach. The underlying theory is that a household¿s standard of living is a function of income and needs. The extra costs of disability can be derived by comparing the standard of living of households with and without disabled members at a given income, having controlled for other sources of variation. Results show that the extra costs of disability are substantial, especially for disabled people living alone, and that these costs rise with severity of disability. To bring out the policy implications of these results, we compare and contrast three different income distributions which differ in their adjustment for the extra costs of disability, for the population as a whole and for various subgroups. We find that unadjusted incomes significantly understate the problem of low income amongst disabled people, and thereby in the population as a whole.
sticerd.lse.ac.uk
March 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Cutting PIP quite simply means harming people's welfare. The evidence is clearly there that Disabled people face higher living costs, and PIP helps alleviate that. It's got nothing to do with work. For example, from CASE 20 years ago: sticerd.lse.ac.uk/case/_new/pu...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
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…🧵
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
March 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
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…🧵
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
Reposted by Cara Leavey
📣📣📣
Absolutely fabulous job opportunity @healthfoundation.bsky.social for a Public Health Consultant with the drive to improve health and reduce inequalities through transforming prevention policy - in its broadest sense - across the UK!
Please share ☺️
lde.tbe.taleo.net/lde01/ats/ca...
Absolutely fabulous job opportunity @healthfoundation.bsky.social for a Public Health Consultant with the drive to improve health and reduce inequalities through transforming prevention policy - in its broadest sense - across the UK!
Please share ☺️
lde.tbe.taleo.net/lde01/ats/ca...
Hiring Assistant Director, - Salisbury Square, EC4Y 8AP
View job details and apply now
lde.tbe.taleo.net
March 4, 2025 at 10:31 AM
📣📣📣
Absolutely fabulous job opportunity @healthfoundation.bsky.social for a Public Health Consultant with the drive to improve health and reduce inequalities through transforming prevention policy - in its broadest sense - across the UK!
Please share ☺️
lde.tbe.taleo.net/lde01/ats/ca...
Absolutely fabulous job opportunity @healthfoundation.bsky.social for a Public Health Consultant with the drive to improve health and reduce inequalities through transforming prevention policy - in its broadest sense - across the UK!
Please share ☺️
lde.tbe.taleo.net/lde01/ats/ca...
Reposted by Cara Leavey
Read about our “game changer” for an Institute for Preventative Health based in the North 👇 announced today
Today, we announced proposals for an institute to tackle ill health in the North at #COTN25. Northern leaders joined us for a workshop - chaired by Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard - to discuss plans. More on the Institute for Preventative Health Research 👇🏼
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/02/prop...
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/02/prop...
February 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Read about our “game changer” for an Institute for Preventative Health based in the North 👇 announced today