Samuel Thomas
@smlthms.bsky.social
Policy at Z2K, previously advice at Z2K & Shelter Scotland, views own
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
New blog from me on the need to unfreeze LHA at the Budget
Govt has suggested in the past that DHP can mitigate impact of freezing LHA - but we find it's not remotely set up to do this
Govt has suggested in the past that DHP can mitigate impact of freezing LHA - but we find it's not remotely set up to do this
Frozen housing benefit rates are deepening poverty and homelessness.
Other government support is failing to plug the gap.
We're joining @crisis-uk.bsky.social and others to call on the Chancellor to act.
Read our blog here: z2k.org/out-in-the-c...
Other government support is failing to plug the gap.
We're joining @crisis-uk.bsky.social and others to call on the Chancellor to act.
Read our blog here: z2k.org/out-in-the-c...
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
New blog from me on the need to unfreeze LHA at the Budget
Govt has suggested in the past that DHP can mitigate impact of freezing LHA - but we find it's not remotely set up to do this
Govt has suggested in the past that DHP can mitigate impact of freezing LHA - but we find it's not remotely set up to do this
Great piece - so important to highlight, contra claims that being on UC-Health acts as a "trap" that stops young people working, that the financial incentives to work are actually *stronger* on UC-H than on basic UC
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
The government must cancel plans to cut disability benefits for young people
This blog has been co-written by Maddy Rose, Senior Policy Researcher, and Victoria Anns, Policy Researcher.
medium.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Great piece - so important to highlight, contra claims that being on UC-Health acts as a "trap" that stops young people working, that the financial incentives to work are actually *stronger* on UC-H than on basic UC
As the government gives an update on the Timms Review, read our new report setting out how to fix PIP
We find the broken model of an assessment as a 'check' is deeply counterproductive & needs overhauled
We find the broken model of an assessment as a 'check' is deeply counterproductive & needs overhauled
NEW: Politicians say it's too easy to qualify for PIP. Our new research suggests the opposite is true, showing how the punitive PIP assessment system has created a culture of fear among disabled people.
Read the report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
Read the report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
Ending the Culture of Fear - Z2K
Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system to get decisions right first time Much of the political and media debate about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has focused on the idea that it’s too easy to qualify. A new report from Z2K – Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system
z2k.org
October 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
As the government gives an update on the Timms Review, read our new report setting out how to fix PIP
We find the broken model of an assessment as a 'check' is deeply counterproductive & needs overhauled
We find the broken model of an assessment as a 'check' is deeply counterproductive & needs overhauled
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
It's increasingly perplexing that DWP aren't prioritising improving their stats to better reflect the move from legacy benefits to UC.
Until then, we'll keep getting misleading headlines like 'Long-term sickness claims rising by 5,000 a day' - you can't blame journalists when the stats are so bad!
Until then, we'll keep getting misleading headlines like 'Long-term sickness claims rising by 5,000 a day' - you can't blame journalists when the stats are so bad!
October 7, 2025 at 8:13 AM
It's increasingly perplexing that DWP aren't prioritising improving their stats to better reflect the move from legacy benefits to UC.
Until then, we'll keep getting misleading headlines like 'Long-term sickness claims rising by 5,000 a day' - you can't blame journalists when the stats are so bad!
Until then, we'll keep getting misleading headlines like 'Long-term sickness claims rising by 5,000 a day' - you can't blame journalists when the stats are so bad!
The Universal Credit Bill (now Act) became law yesterday
Measures won't come into effect until Apr 26
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3988
Measures won't come into effect until Apr 26
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3988
Universal Credit Act 2025 - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Current version of Universal Credit Act 2025 with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses
bills.parliament.uk
September 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The Universal Credit Bill (now Act) became law yesterday
Measures won't come into effect until Apr 26
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3988
Measures won't come into effect until Apr 26
bills.parliament.uk/bills/3988
New blog from me on the Timms Review
Two key issues to confront: how abolishing WCA will change PIP & how assessments & decision-making push people away from work
Two key issues to confront: how abolishing WCA will change PIP & how assessments & decision-making push people away from work
After the government dropped planned cuts to PIP last month, what’s next for disability benefits reform?
In a new blog, our Senior Policy Advisor looks at two key issues that the Timms Review will need to confront.
z2k.org/capability-f...
In a new blog, our Senior Policy Advisor looks at two key issues that the Timms Review will need to confront.
z2k.org/capability-f...
Capability for What? Two key issues the Timms Review must consider - Z2K
Following the dramatic reversal of the government's planned disability benefit cuts, the Timms Review of personal independence payment has taken on significant political importance. In this blog, our ...
z2k.org
August 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
New blog from me on the Timms Review
Two key issues to confront: how abolishing WCA will change PIP & how assessments & decision-making push people away from work
Two key issues to confront: how abolishing WCA will change PIP & how assessments & decision-making push people away from work
This is a great example of why it's so important that the no re-let period should be 12 months and not 6
Landlords should not be able to upend a tenant's whole life if they're not even serious about selling
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Landlords should not be able to upend a tenant's whole life if they're not even serious about selling
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK homelessness minister resigns after tenant eviction claims
Rushanara Ali was accused of hypocrisy after claims she removed tenants before rent rise of almost £700 a month
www.theguardian.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This is a great example of why it's so important that the no re-let period should be 12 months and not 6
Landlords should not be able to upend a tenant's whole life if they're not even serious about selling
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Landlords should not be able to upend a tenant's whole life if they're not even serious about selling
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I’ve seen a few people suggesting that the government is ending reassessments for disabled people with the most severe conditions through the UC & PIP Bill. It’s not true. (1/7)
July 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I’ve seen a few people suggesting that the government is ending reassessments for disabled people with the most severe conditions through the UC & PIP Bill. It’s not true. (1/7)
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit
July 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit
Think it's clearer than ever that the existence of the Timms review is a tacit admission that the proper policy thinking on PIP reform simply wasn't done when devising 4 point rule
July 1, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Think it's clearer than ever that the existence of the Timms review is a tacit admission that the proper policy thinking on PIP reform simply wasn't done when devising 4 point rule
Need to see detail - exempting existing claimants wld be welcome but don't think this solves fundamental problem that these are arbitrary & rushed cuts that were thrown together to meet a savings target
www.thetimes.com/article/fdc8...
www.thetimes.com/article/fdc8...
Keir Starmer gives in to welfare rebels by offering to water down cuts
More than 120 Labour MPs have backed an amendment that would effectively kill the bill, forcing the prime minister to look at ‘improvements’ to the legislation
www.thetimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Need to see detail - exempting existing claimants wld be welcome but don't think this solves fundamental problem that these are arbitrary & rushed cuts that were thrown together to meet a savings target
www.thetimes.com/article/fdc8...
www.thetimes.com/article/fdc8...
Be very wary of any claim that the govt introducing transitional protection for PIP claimants who lose out from cuts marks a concession. This was mentioned in the green paper and would doubtless have been introduced anyway
inews.co.uk/news/politic...?
inews.co.uk/news/politic...?
PIP benefit cuts may be softened to quash dissent against Reeves
While ministers are holding talks with concerned MPs, they remain minded to push ahead with the policy as it is currently planned
inews.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Be very wary of any claim that the govt introducing transitional protection for PIP claimants who lose out from cuts marks a concession. This was mentioned in the green paper and would doubtless have been introduced anyway
inews.co.uk/news/politic...?
inews.co.uk/news/politic...?
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
"Pursuing policies that deepen poverty will only perpetuate the ‘managed decline’ that the government has railed against."
Read our Senior Policy Advisor's blog on how rushed disability benefit cuts will harm the government's efforts to achieve its missions👇
z2k.org/mission-crit...
Read our Senior Policy Advisor's blog on how rushed disability benefit cuts will harm the government's efforts to achieve its missions👇
z2k.org/mission-crit...
Mission critical: How disability benefit cuts threaten to jeopardise the government’s missions - Z2K
The government has set out five key missions which it sees as key to showing the British public that it is delivering on their priorities. Our Senior Policy Adviser explains how cuts to disability ben...
z2k.org
April 14, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"Pursuing policies that deepen poverty will only perpetuate the ‘managed decline’ that the government has railed against."
Read our Senior Policy Advisor's blog on how rushed disability benefit cuts will harm the government's efforts to achieve its missions👇
z2k.org/mission-crit...
Read our Senior Policy Advisor's blog on how rushed disability benefit cuts will harm the government's efforts to achieve its missions👇
z2k.org/mission-crit...
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
The UK’s Chancellor is driving disabled people deeper into poverty: she must think again, says Samuel Thomas of anti-poverty charity @z2ktrust.bsky.social
views-voices.oxfam.org.uk/2025/04/uk-c...
views-voices.oxfam.org.uk/2025/04/uk-c...
The UK’s Chancellor is driving disabled people deeper into poverty: she must think again - Views & Voices
Planned cuts to disability benefits will be devastating for people already struggling to pay their bills, with stroke survivors, amputees and people with serious mental health conditions among the gro...
views-voices.oxfam.org.uk
April 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The UK’s Chancellor is driving disabled people deeper into poverty: she must think again, says Samuel Thomas of anti-poverty charity @z2ktrust.bsky.social
views-voices.oxfam.org.uk/2025/04/uk-c...
views-voices.oxfam.org.uk/2025/04/uk-c...
A lower rate of support & some conditionality for people whose health makes it difficult for them to work, and higher support & no conditionality for those with the most severe conditions. Where have we heard that one before?
March 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
A lower rate of support & some conditionality for people whose health makes it difficult for them to work, and higher support & no conditionality for those with the most severe conditions. Where have we heard that one before?
Looks like this govt's version of WCA abolition is significantly less generous than previous govt plan, which would have awarded health element to those getting any element of PIP
March 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Looks like this govt's version of WCA abolition is significantly less generous than previous govt plan, which would have awarded health element to those getting any element of PIP
I spoke to LBC News earlier today about the huge cuts to vital support for disabled people that government is reportedly planning
Our Senior Policy Adviser spoke to @lbcnews.bsky.social this afternoon about the reported cuts to disability benefits.
Samuel emphasised the vital role disability benefits play and the devastating impact the cuts could have.
Listen from 14:45:46 onwards: www.globalplayer.com/live/lbcnews...
Samuel emphasised the vital role disability benefits play and the devastating impact the cuts could have.
Listen from 14:45:46 onwards: www.globalplayer.com/live/lbcnews...
March 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I spoke to LBC News earlier today about the huge cuts to vital support for disabled people that government is reportedly planning
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
Governments tend to focus on reducing health-related benefit in-flows by tightening eligibility criteria.
But doing so concentrates large losses among a subset of claimants - hitting some low-income families hard.
Read more➡️ buff.ly/d1u2Tkn
But doing so concentrates large losses among a subset of claimants - hitting some low-income families hard.
Read more➡️ buff.ly/d1u2Tkn
March 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Governments tend to focus on reducing health-related benefit in-flows by tightening eligibility criteria.
But doing so concentrates large losses among a subset of claimants - hitting some low-income families hard.
Read more➡️ buff.ly/d1u2Tkn
But doing so concentrates large losses among a subset of claimants - hitting some low-income families hard.
Read more➡️ buff.ly/d1u2Tkn
Big Q is how the huge £5bn/year PIP cuts will be implemented. Very difficult to see how restricting eligibility or introducing onerous requirements at this scale could lead to anything other than severely disabled people being denied support & plunged into deep poverty
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com
March 7, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Big Q is how the huge £5bn/year PIP cuts will be implemented. Very difficult to see how restricting eligibility or introducing onerous requirements at this scale could lead to anything other than severely disabled people being denied support & plunged into deep poverty
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
www.itv.com/news/2025-03...
Good to see clarity that this concerning measure will be tested before its introduction. Clearly a significant risk that claimants who struggle to use their journal could have their payments wrongly stopped and be left destitute
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
March 7, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Good to see clarity that this concerning measure will be tested before its introduction. Clearly a significant risk that claimants who struggle to use their journal could have their payments wrongly stopped and be left destitute
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
There are so many challenges around the need for medical evidence for disability benefits claims.
Read more on this excellent briefing by Simon Collerton and @maddyirose.bsky.social
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Read more on this excellent briefing by Simon Collerton and @maddyirose.bsky.social
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Burdens of proof: How difficulties providing medical evidence make PIP harder to claim
Briefing by Simon Collerton and Maddy Rose on the difficulties around providing medical evidence within PIP claims
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
March 6, 2025 at 1:54 PM
There are so many challenges around the need for medical evidence for disability benefits claims.
Read more on this excellent briefing by Simon Collerton and @maddyirose.bsky.social
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Read more on this excellent briefing by Simon Collerton and @maddyirose.bsky.social
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
New blog from us highlighting how incapacity benefit households in Universal Credit include c.900,000 children. Planned cuts to health-related benefits will inevitably impact children, and poses a major risk to the government's child poverty ambitions www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/childre...
900,000 children are in families receiving incapacity support through Universal Credit
As the government seeks to save billions through a welfare overhaul, we look at the number of children living in households currently receiving incapacity support through Universal Credit.
www.actionforchildren.org.uk
February 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
New blog from us highlighting how incapacity benefit households in Universal Credit include c.900,000 children. Planned cuts to health-related benefits will inevitably impact children, and poses a major risk to the government's child poverty ambitions www.actionforchildren.org.uk/blog/childre...
Reposted by Samuel Thomas
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...
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...
Short-sighted savings won’t fix health and disability benefits
Plans to bring down the benefits bill could push disabled people into poverty and away from work
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
February 20, 2025 at 10:35 AM
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...
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...