Thomas Lawson
@thomasjlawson.bsky.social
CEO @turn2us fighting #poverty, Chair @efhl_care, gay, he/him, hopeful.
A child poverty strategy with the 2-child limit in place would *not* be a credible child poverty strategy. *All* of the growth in child poverty since the 2011/12 low point is for children in scope of this policy.
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
Joined friends in the sector at @turn2us.org.uk parliamentary reception. Powerful speeches @lucybannister.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, @andrewwesternmp.bsky.social @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social, @terryjermymp.bsky.social. Clear tackling stigma in the social security system is essential
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Joined friends in the sector at @turn2us.org.uk parliamentary reception. Powerful speeches @lucybannister.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, @andrewwesternmp.bsky.social @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social, @terryjermymp.bsky.social. Clear tackling stigma in the social security system is essential
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
It's encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered.
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
Rachel Reeves to lift two-child benefit cap in November budget
Exclusive: Officials exploring options to change rule that affected 1.7 million children in Great Britain last year
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It's encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered.
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
Is there room for compromise on the two-child limit?
Entirely scrapping it would have the biggest impact on child poverty and be most cost-effective.
Entirely scrapping it would have the biggest impact on child poverty and be most cost-effective.
October 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Is there room for compromise on the two-child limit?
Entirely scrapping it would have the biggest impact on child poverty and be most cost-effective.
Entirely scrapping it would have the biggest impact on child poverty and be most cost-effective.
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
Monday at conference was a success! It was great to hear
@andyburnham.bsky.social talk about the importance of dignity, respect and consistency in employment support. Whilst
@amnestyuk.bsky.social ran a fantastic session on the right to social security and telling a positive narrative #Lab25
@andyburnham.bsky.social talk about the importance of dignity, respect and consistency in employment support. Whilst
@amnestyuk.bsky.social ran a fantastic session on the right to social security and telling a positive narrative #Lab25
October 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Monday at conference was a success! It was great to hear
@andyburnham.bsky.social talk about the importance of dignity, respect and consistency in employment support. Whilst
@amnestyuk.bsky.social ran a fantastic session on the right to social security and telling a positive narrative #Lab25
@andyburnham.bsky.social talk about the importance of dignity, respect and consistency in employment support. Whilst
@amnestyuk.bsky.social ran a fantastic session on the right to social security and telling a positive narrative #Lab25
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
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.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
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
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
September 29, 2025 at 7:41 AM
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.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
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.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
‘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
www.independent.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
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...
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...
September 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
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
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
The dominance of energy bills in driving inflation in recent years has meant that poorer households have faced signifcantly higher inflation than richer households.
Lalitha Try explains ⤵️
Lalitha Try explains ⤵️
August 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The dominance of energy bills in driving inflation in recent years has meant that poorer households have faced signifcantly higher inflation than richer households.
Lalitha Try explains ⤵️
Lalitha Try explains ⤵️
If the Civil Society Covenant is to mean anything, it must mark a reset - the government needs to show it is listening and not sidelining us. @turn2us.org.uk
Read more here: www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/in-de...
Read more here: www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/in-de...
In-depth: What sector leaders want most from the Civil Society Covenant
As the drafting process for the Civil Society Covenant progresses, seven leaders share their priorities for what should underpin the sector’s “reset” relationship with government…
www.civilsociety.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
If the Civil Society Covenant is to mean anything, it must mark a reset - the government needs to show it is listening and not sidelining us. @turn2us.org.uk
Read more here: www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/in-de...
Read more here: www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/in-de...
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
Seven sector leaders - @katieghose.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Tom Brake, @beccyrspb.bsky.social, @rcquaker.bsky.social & Kathy Evans - share their hopes for the imminent Civil Society Covenant
In-depth: What sector leaders want most from the Civil Society Covenant
As the drafting process for the Civil Society Covenant progresses, seven leaders share their priorities for what should underpin the sector’s “reset” relationship with government…
www.civilsociety.co.uk
June 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Seven sector leaders - @katieghose.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, Shabna Begum, Tom Brake, @beccyrspb.bsky.social, @rcquaker.bsky.social & Kathy Evans - share their hopes for the imminent Civil Society Covenant
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
(3/3) We are calling on journalists and politicians to read and share our new guides and consider how they talk about our social security system.
Read and share our Narrative guides: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...
Read and share our Narrative guides: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...
May 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
(3/3) We are calling on journalists and politicians to read and share our new guides and consider how they talk about our social security system.
Read and share our Narrative guides: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...
Read and share our Narrative guides: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
(2/3) In a recent polling half said that feelings of shame and unworthiness would stop them from making a claim at all.
Misleading claims about misuse have dominated the conversation despite fraud accounting for less than 3% of claims, while there are millions struggling to afford the essentials.
Misleading claims about misuse have dominated the conversation despite fraud accounting for less than 3% of claims, while there are millions struggling to afford the essentials.
May 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
(2/3) In a recent polling half said that feelings of shame and unworthiness would stop them from making a claim at all.
Misleading claims about misuse have dominated the conversation despite fraud accounting for less than 3% of claims, while there are millions struggling to afford the essentials.
Misleading claims about misuse have dominated the conversation despite fraud accounting for less than 3% of claims, while there are millions struggling to afford the essentials.
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
(1/3) If we want to rebuild trust in the system, we need to change the way we talk about benefits.
Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives.
At its best, social security helps people through these moments, helps them to rebuild.
However...
Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives.
At its best, social security helps people through these moments, helps them to rebuild.
However...
May 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
(1/3) If we want to rebuild trust in the system, we need to change the way we talk about benefits.
Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives.
At its best, social security helps people through these moments, helps them to rebuild.
However...
Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives.
At its best, social security helps people through these moments, helps them to rebuild.
However...
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
Our social security system should be here for all of us when we need it. But the government is proposing harmful cuts to disability benefits.
We need our MPs to speak up. Will you ask your MP to oppose the cuts?
Write to your MP today: win.newmode.net/turn2us/camp...
We need our MPs to speak up. Will you ask your MP to oppose the cuts?
Write to your MP today: win.newmode.net/turn2us/camp...
April 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Our social security system should be here for all of us when we need it. But the government is proposing harmful cuts to disability benefits.
We need our MPs to speak up. Will you ask your MP to oppose the cuts?
Write to your MP today: win.newmode.net/turn2us/camp...
We need our MPs to speak up. Will you ask your MP to oppose the cuts?
Write to your MP today: win.newmode.net/turn2us/camp...
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
The government has published no evidence to suggest that cutting disability benefits will get people back to work.
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the government to rethink its cruel, shameful & completely irresponsible plan to cut benefits which will plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty - on its own impact analysis
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
I’m joining Trussell in calling on the Gov’t to rethink its cruel & shameful plan to cut benefits
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
April 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The government has published no evidence to suggest that cutting disability benefits will get people back to work.
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
The government has published no evidence to suggest that cutting disability benefits will get people back to work.
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the government to rethink its cruel, shameful & completely irresponsible plan to cut benefits which will plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty - on its own impact analysis
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
I’m joining Trussell in calling on the Gov’t to rethink its cruel & shameful plan to cut benefits
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
April 5, 2025 at 6:54 AM
The government has published no evidence to suggest that cutting disability benefits will get people back to work.
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
The evidence it has published found that these cuts would plunge hundreds of thousands of people into poverty.
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the gov’t to rethink
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
🚨 Not an April Fools joke: Household bills are going up by more than inflation (2.8%), while social security support rises by JUST 1.7%.
People are already struggling. More people will be at risk of needing a food bank.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The government CAN change this. #AwfulApril
People are already struggling. More people will be at risk of needing a food bank.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The government CAN change this. #AwfulApril
April 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
🚨 Not an April Fools joke: Household bills are going up by more than inflation (2.8%), while social security support rises by JUST 1.7%.
People are already struggling. More people will be at risk of needing a food bank.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The government CAN change this. #AwfulApril
People are already struggling. More people will be at risk of needing a food bank.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The government CAN change this. #AwfulApril
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
The Spring Statement was "exactly the wrong way to be making complex policy changes, tweaking policy to hit a precise number in an uncertain and inevitably changeable forecast", writes the Institute for Government's @tompope.bsky.social
The Spring Statement Demonstrated The Wrong Way To Make Policy
The Chancellor's unwavering commitment to her fiscal rules is understandable. But the Spring Statement didn't need to happen like this, argues the ...
www.politicshome.com
March 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The Spring Statement was "exactly the wrong way to be making complex policy changes, tweaking policy to hit a precise number in an uncertain and inevitably changeable forecast", writes the Institute for Government's @tompope.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Lawson
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the government to rethink its cruel, shameful & completely irresponsible plan to cut benefits which will plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty - on its own impact analysis
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
I’m joining Trussell in calling on the Gov’t to rethink its cruel & shameful plan to cut benefits
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
March 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the government to rethink its cruel, shameful & completely irresponsible plan to cut benefits which will plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty - on its own impact analysis
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
Stonewall will fight to ban all LGBT conversion practices, says new chief
“I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other’s views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.”
“I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other’s views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.”
March 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Stonewall will fight to ban all LGBT conversion practices, says new chief
“I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other’s views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.”
“I want conversations where we are willing to listen to each other, seek to understand each other’s views and find ways for everyone to live side by side with dignity and respect.”
If you care about people facing poverty, it'd be great if you sponsored me: I'm running the Hackney Half Marathon for @turn2us.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-...
www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-...
Tom Lawson is raising money for Turn2us's great work
Help Thomas Lawson raise money to support Turn2us
www.justgiving.com
March 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
If you care about people facing poverty, it'd be great if you sponsored me: I'm running the Hackney Half Marathon for @turn2us.bsky.social
www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-...
www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-...