Toby Murray
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tbymrry.bsky.social
Toby Murray
@tbymrry.bsky.social
Policy and Campaigns Manager for @debtjustice.bsky.social on household debt. Ex-research for Money and Mental Health, the RSA and ex-policy fellow for the Health Foundation. (he/him)
Reposted by Toby Murray
Whether you’re up for the school run, taking Mum to a doctors appointment or helping a neighbour with their shopping, we all want to care and be cared for.

But in the economy we have millions who care are struggling to survive, left to worry about how to care for someone and look after themselves..
October 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
On the International Day of Care and Support, this week’s New Economy Brief explores what the Carer's Allowance scandal tells us about how our economy and society undervalue care: neweconomybrief.net/the-digest/w...
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Toby Murray
This week's New Economy Brief looks at the crisis in local government funding - its roots, its consequences and possible solutions:
neweconomybrief.net/the-digest/c...
October 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I work a shorter week (shoutout @debtjustice.bsky.social) and it's rad. I get better quality work done in my 4 days, and feel much better for having 3 guaranteed days off each week.

Here's hoping this is the start of a new norm across the country.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Nearly 1,000 Britons will keep shorter working week after trial
All 17 businesses in six-month pilot to continue with either four-day week or nine-day fortnight
www.theguardian.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
🧵 Our Policy and Campaigns Manager @tbymrry.bsky.social is in The Times today arguing that debt write-off is essential for tackling the council tax crisis gripping the UK.

🔗 www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Should struggling households have their council tax debts wiped?
More than £8.3 billion is owed to local authorities, with little chance that it will all be repaid. We ask two experts for their solutions
www.thetimes.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
We're back for the second day at #FfD4. Fans are used to bypass the ban on visible messaging but security is onto us and blocking fans at the entrance. Here Tess from @debtjustice with a nice #DebtKills fan, very handy in this heat #FfD4People #freedomofspeech
July 1, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
Great to see @mancitycouncil.bsky.social leading the way on council tax debt - kind, empathetic policymaking that costs little but changes lives.

Especially proud after our work together to end bailiff use for those on council tax support. 👏

🔗 www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
Terminally ill Mancunians to get council tax written off in 'pioneering' move
"The last thing you need to worry about money and bills"
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
Tomorrow is UN #FFD4 summit in Seville, we joined 20+ orgs in central London to say: #CancelDebtChooseHope

54 countries in debt crisis yet rich countries are BLOCKING solutions

No one should have to play Jenga with their economy - choosing between public services or debt payments. #SystemChangeNow
June 29, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I don't tweet much anymore, but new council tax arrears numbers out this morning are a reason to break a good habit.

Huge 11% increase in amount of council tax debt across Britain, standing now at £8.3bn. An increase of 11% since last year, and up 79% over the last 5 years.
June 25, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
It's #SmallCharityWeek! Anything you donate to us this week WILL BE MATCHED, in other words - DOUBLED!

We're raising funds for our #BanTheBailiffs campaign. Councils are sending in bailiffs despite there being no evidence they increase collection rates.

www.debtjustice.org.uk/biggive
June 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
Excellent coverage from ‪@mstaronline.bsky.social‬ here, using our data, on the rises to spending review's inbuilt council tax rises. This is only going to exacerbate already out of control debt & a cruel collection system:

morningstaronline.co.uk/article/fast...
Fastest council tax rise in decades would hit poorest the most, campaigners warn | Morning Star
CAMPAIGNERS warn that the poorest communities will be hit hardest amid reports that council tax bills are set to rocket at the fastest rate in two decades.
morningstaronline.co.uk
June 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Toby Murray
📢 New analysis of cuts 📢

We estimate unpaid carers are at risk of losing between £1.2bn – £1.7bn in income as a direct result of changes to PIP eligibility announced this week.

The green paper fails to fully engage with the scale of its devastation with much of this on top of £5bn announced 🧵
March 20, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Toby Murray
We're in the Guardian's letters today!

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
March 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I'm not a disability benefits expert, but cutting the health component element for under 22s is unjustifiable. Already under 25s get less under the UC system, now we're cutting their benefits even further.
March 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Happy new year!

I was quoted in this article from the i on the concerning rise in liability orders being raised by local councils. An increase in 17% from 2022 - millions more taken out of the pockets of the poorest in the country. Terrible news ahead of 5% CT rises.

inews.co.uk/news/council...
The council tax debt crisis pushing the poorest parts of England over the edge
Bills in England are set to rise by 5 per cent next April - in some areas one in five people are already being taken to court because they cannot pay
inews.co.uk
January 2, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Water industry continuing their slow descent. Huge increase over what was trailed earlier in the year - up to 53% (+inflation) is a ridiculous increase for households already struggling.

If a single £ goes to investors over the next 5 years it's a scandal.

www.theguardian.com/money/2024/d...
Average water bill in England and Wales to rise by 36% over five years
Firms accused of forcing households to pay for years of underinvestment after Ofwat agrees to increases to help fix sector
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Thought this was interesting given the events of the last couple weeks with healthcare CEOs...

"Every participant considered it plausible that wealth inequality could drive societal collapse in the UK within the next decade" @fairness.bsky.social

www.faircomment.co.uk/p/inequality...
Inequality Knocks
Identifying and mitigating the risks of wealth inequality in the UK, including the potential for unchecked wealth inequality to lead to societal collapse
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 16, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
Great to have a chance to talk to the Treasury Select Committee about @moneyandmentalhealth.org work on the importance of cash for people with mental health problems, & to hear compelling input from Age UK, Surviving Economic Abuse, Mencap Cymru & Payment Choice Alliance.
A few of the key points...
December 5, 2024 at 10:04 AM
A totally enranging story - but only in the news because of a mix up from the council. But let's be clear, this is standard practice that apparently other people "deserve", if only they receive notice ahead of time.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Buckinghamshire Council sorry over bailiff 'mix-up' debt threat
Buckinghamshire Council says it fully acknowledges the anxiety Colin Phillips must have experienced.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2024 at 11:21 AM
If anyone hasn't seen our Research Community member Sharon on @martinlewismse.bsky.social's show last week, it's a heartbreaking & important story about the need for reform in this sector.

Well worth watching.
Miss one Council Tax monthly payment and within 3wks they can make you pay for the whole year!

My response are listening to a case study who's finances were wrecked by this.

youtu.be/0A3hLVLePQA
Martin Lewis: Miss one Council Tax payment and within 3wks they can make you pay for the whole year!
YouTube video by MoneySavingExpert.com
youtu.be
November 19, 2024 at 8:45 AM
Jeeez it’s really snowing in London my dudes
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
Our co-founder @ruthhannan.bsky.social was on LBC this morning talking about the ongoing Carers Allowance scandal. She explored how it’s the visible face of a broken relationship with care in our economy. Listen to her on Nick Ferrari from 8.10am!

www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/lon...
November 15, 2024 at 8:56 AM
Funny how often "competitive" = being allowed to scam your customers without fear of reprisal.

www.ft.com/content/8022...
November 14, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by Toby Murray
"Looking for care revealed a data desert" said @carefull.bsky.social as they blog about their experience working with us as part of the community campaigns on data 2024 cohort.

Read more: connectedbydata.org/blog/2024/11...
Looking for Care Revealed a Data Desert
Care Full is a new organisation, founded by Hannah and Ruth, two carers. We set out to explore the role of care in a new economy and how our economy could enable us to care for ourselves, one another ...
connectedbydata.org
November 13, 2024 at 3:50 PM
If someone creates a "people who post about hating cars, preferably with headcam footage filmed from their bikes" starter pack, then bluesky becomes the new GOAT social media.
November 12, 2024 at 12:34 PM