Craig Berry
@craigpberry.bsky.social
TBC but also https://www.justgiving.com/page/not-being-funny
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
🧵 NEW: Our report 'Listen and learn' sets out how the Government should improve Universal Credit (UC) for the 15 million people who rely on it.
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
Reposted by Craig Berry
This blog is so good it had an impact before it was even published - if reports are true that the government is postponing Unemployment Insurance
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
Government proposals weaken rather than strengthen contributory unemployment benefits for disabled…
The government’s proposals for a new contributory unemployment benefit — known as Unemployment Insurance — were almost overlooked when the…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:25 PM
This blog is so good it had an impact before it was even published - if reports are true that the government is postponing Unemployment Insurance
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
This blog is so good it had an impact before it was even published - if reports are true that the government is postponing Unemployment Insurance
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
Government proposals weaken rather than strengthen contributory unemployment benefits for disabled…
The government’s proposals for a new contributory unemployment benefit — known as Unemployment Insurance — were almost overlooked when the…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:25 PM
This blog is so good it had an impact before it was even published - if reports are true that the government is postponing Unemployment Insurance
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/government-p...
Reposted by Craig Berry
Long-term claimants of employment and support allowance could be moved over to a new, time-limited disability benefit – equating to cuts.
Disabled people could face benefit cuts – even if they cannot work
www.bigissue.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Long-term claimants of employment and support allowance could be moved over to a new, time-limited disability benefit – equating to cuts.
Unemployment Insurance is a new benefit merging new style JSA and ESA. Much to commend eg higher payments compared to JSA.
But for disabled people, this could end long-term support without even offering the same short-term gain. While other disability benefits are cut too.
Not a great start!
But for disabled people, this could end long-term support without even offering the same short-term gain. While other disability benefits are cut too.
Not a great start!
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
January 23, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Unemployment Insurance is a new benefit merging new style JSA and ESA. Much to commend eg higher payments compared to JSA.
But for disabled people, this could end long-term support without even offering the same short-term gain. While other disability benefits are cut too.
Not a great start!
But for disabled people, this could end long-term support without even offering the same short-term gain. While other disability benefits are cut too.
Not a great start!
Reposted by Craig Berry
Disabled people are routinely shut out of employment. My brilliant colleagues @beccastacey.bsky.social and @victoria-anns.bsky.social draw on the experience of the people we support to chart a way forward 👇
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
January 21, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Disabled people are routinely shut out of employment. My brilliant colleagues @beccastacey.bsky.social and @victoria-anns.bsky.social draw on the experience of the people we support to chart a way forward 👇
Reposted by Craig Berry
The government is planning to merge two benefits to create 'unemployment insurance'.
But this would end indefinite awards currently paid to many disabled people claiming new style ESA, making them time-limited instead.
Great report from Craig breaking down the key issues
👇
But this would end indefinite awards currently paid to many disabled people claiming new style ESA, making them time-limited instead.
Great report from Craig breaking down the key issues
👇
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
January 22, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The government is planning to merge two benefits to create 'unemployment insurance'.
But this would end indefinite awards currently paid to many disabled people claiming new style ESA, making them time-limited instead.
Great report from Craig breaking down the key issues
👇
But this would end indefinite awards currently paid to many disabled people claiming new style ESA, making them time-limited instead.
Great report from Craig breaking down the key issues
👇
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
January 22, 2026 at 10:28 AM
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Disabled people are routinely shut out of employment. My brilliant colleagues @beccastacey.bsky.social and @victoria-anns.bsky.social draw on the experience of the people we support to chart a way forward 👇
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
January 21, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Disabled people are routinely shut out of employment. My brilliant colleagues @beccastacey.bsky.social and @victoria-anns.bsky.social draw on the experience of the people we support to chart a way forward 👇
Reposted by Craig Berry
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
January 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
Reposted by Craig Berry
in this month's Observer column! I went to watch the snooker and I had an absolutely terrific time*
*I had absolutely no idea what was happening at any given moment observer.co.uk/news/columni...
*I had absolutely no idea what was happening at any given moment observer.co.uk/news/columni...
January 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM
in this month's Observer column! I went to watch the snooker and I had an absolutely terrific time*
*I had absolutely no idea what was happening at any given moment observer.co.uk/news/columni...
*I had absolutely no idea what was happening at any given moment observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Reposted by Craig Berry
There are now 2.5 unemployed people looking for work for every vacancy. The jobs market is oversaturated with too many people looking for work and not enough jobs to fill. 1/3
December 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
There are now 2.5 unemployed people looking for work for every vacancy. The jobs market is oversaturated with too many people looking for work and not enough jobs to fill. 1/3
Reposted by Craig Berry
@nyecominetti.bsky.social piece from yesterday important context for today's labour market stats. ALL of the change in the employment rate since the pandemic is due to unemployment - a lack of jobs not a lack of jobseekers.
The reason we thought it worth writing is that I don't think this is obvious to everyone. And even if you know unemployment is rising, you might not know that it 'explains' *all of* the change in employment compared to pre-pandemic.
December 16, 2025 at 9:16 AM
@nyecominetti.bsky.social piece from yesterday important context for today's labour market stats. ALL of the change in the employment rate since the pandemic is due to unemployment - a lack of jobs not a lack of jobseekers.
Reposted by Craig Berry
Late shout for this. Still time to register!
Ahead of our end of year Data Insights session (sign up here! Featuring special guest @anooshc.bsky.social from the New Statesman www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turning-th...) I wrote something very short on the 2 child limit, living standards and political ambition medium.com/p/9e10a39f80cf
Turning the Tide or Treading Water? Living Standards After the Budget
After the government’s key announcements and the recent Autumn Budget, we’ll explore what those decisions mean for households and families.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Late shout for this. Still time to register!
Reposted by Craig Berry
Ahead of our end of year Data Insights session (sign up here! Featuring special guest @anooshc.bsky.social from the New Statesman www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turning-th...) I wrote something very short on the 2 child limit, living standards and political ambition medium.com/p/9e10a39f80cf
Turning the Tide or Treading Water? Living Standards After the Budget
After the government’s key announcements and the recent Autumn Budget, we’ll explore what those decisions mean for households and families.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Ahead of our end of year Data Insights session (sign up here! Featuring special guest @anooshc.bsky.social from the New Statesman www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/turning-th...) I wrote something very short on the 2 child limit, living standards and political ambition medium.com/p/9e10a39f80cf
I'm seeing 3 of my top 5 Spotify wrapped artists live in 2026, in walking distance of my house
Which probably doesn't sound odd unless you know where I live
Which probably doesn't sound odd unless you know where I live
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I'm seeing 3 of my top 5 Spotify wrapped artists live in 2026, in walking distance of my house
Which probably doesn't sound odd unless you know where I live
Which probably doesn't sound odd unless you know where I live
Called it - government adopts the pensions triple lock plus craigberry.substack.com/p/the-pensio... #budget2025
The pensions triple lock plus is a no-brainer
Labour will adopt Rishi Sunak’s triple lock plus policy in office. It needs to have a more honest conversation about tax now, or it will not have a mandate for the things it will inevitably need to do
craigberry.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Called it - government adopts the pensions triple lock plus craigberry.substack.com/p/the-pensio... #budget2025
Reposted by Craig Berry
Growth won’t save Starmer. It’s a metric, not a mission. What if the real mission was peace — at home (less division, stronger communities) and abroad (diplomacy, democracy, humanitarian leadership)? Peace gives politics direction. Growth doesn’t.
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Growth Is Not a Mission — But Peace Could Be
Can Starmer save himself, and his government, by rethinking his mission?
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Growth won’t save Starmer. It’s a metric, not a mission. What if the real mission was peace — at home (less division, stronger communities) and abroad (diplomacy, democracy, humanitarian leadership)? Peace gives politics direction. Growth doesn’t.
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Reposted by Craig Berry
This thread collating the Sheffield Tribune’s brilliant investigation into the spivvy lawyer threatening Yorkshire leaseholders into handing over cash is worth reading before the story goes national.
Excellent and courageous investigative journalism.
The fact that it is (apparently) legal to do this to people is utterly disgusting.
The fact that it is (apparently) legal to do this to people is utterly disgusting.
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
November 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This thread collating the Sheffield Tribune’s brilliant investigation into the spivvy lawyer threatening Yorkshire leaseholders into handing over cash is worth reading before the story goes national.
Reposted by Craig Berry
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/sometimes-it... I wrote last week about two villains and one hero in the battle between truth and lies. Well here’s another hero - the Sheffield Tribune, one of the Mill stable of independent news sites, had the courage to publish an important story despite legal threats..
Sometimes it’s worth the risk
“We will definitely bring proceedings for Defamation and Malicious Falsehood if you publish such complete and malicious lies.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/sometimes-it... I wrote last week about two villains and one hero in the battle between truth and lies. Well here’s another hero - the Sheffield Tribune, one of the Mill stable of independent news sites, had the courage to publish an important story despite legal threats..
Reposted by Craig Berry
Extraordinary story from @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social: A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Extraordinary story from @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social: A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Reposted by Craig Berry
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
As the #AutumnBudget approaches, we're calling on the Chancellor to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to support people on low incomes as private rents continue to soar.
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
Reposted by Craig Berry
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
More from @citizensadvice.bsky.social on Local Housing Allowance today...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
assets.ctfassets.net
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
More from @citizensadvice.bsky.social on Local Housing Allowance today...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...