@julia-rt.bsky.social
Welfare policy research @citizensadvice.bsky.social
All views my own
All views my own
Pinned
“No family should have to borrow money just to eat while waiting for support they’re entitled to.”
We're calling on the government to take action on one of Universal Credit's longest-standing problems: the 5 week wait.
Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4odsGnL
We're calling on the government to take action on one of Universal Credit's longest-standing problems: the 5 week wait.
Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4odsGnL
UK poverty crisis as 500,000 children in homes trapped in benefit debt cycle
Exclusive: Tens of thousands of families are forced to take out loans to cover the five-week wait until their first universal credit payment – but many struggle to pay it back
www.independent.co.uk
Great to see coverage of the 5 week wait in @the-independent.com, highlighting new Citizens Advice analysis of the huge scale of this issue
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
Reposted
There’s a risk that the Keep Britain Working plan will see good employers continuing to perform well and receiving more recognition for this. And that little will be done to change the behaviour of employers who are failing to support disabled workers.
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/our-response...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/our-response...
Our response to the Keep Britain Working report
This week, the Keep Britain Working Review published their final report. This review has sparked an important discussion about how…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
There’s a risk that the Keep Britain Working plan will see good employers continuing to perform well and receiving more recognition for this. And that little will be done to change the behaviour of employers who are failing to support disabled workers.
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/our-response...
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/our-response...
Reposted
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
Reposted
📰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.
Reposted
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...
Reposted
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 8:36 AM
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
Reposted
📢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 12:02 PM
📢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
Reposted
📢 Last night, the Renters Rights Act finally became law.
We’ve been campaigning for this for years. Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-renters-rights-act-is-here-but-the-work-is-just-beginning-1308fb226853
We’ve been campaigning for this for years. Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-renters-rights-act-is-here-but-the-work-is-just-beginning-1308fb226853
October 28, 2025 at 9:40 AM
📢 Last night, the Renters Rights Act finally became law.
We’ve been campaigning for this for years. Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-renters-rights-act-is-here-but-the-work-is-just-beginning-1308fb226853
We’ve been campaigning for this for years. Read more about the bill and what it means for you ⤵️
https://wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-renters-rights-act-is-here-but-the-work-is-just-beginning-1308fb226853
Great to see coverage of the 5 week wait in @the-independent.com, highlighting new Citizens Advice analysis of the huge scale of this issue
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
“No family should have to borrow money just to eat while waiting for support they’re entitled to.”
We're calling on the government to take action on one of Universal Credit's longest-standing problems: the 5 week wait.
Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4odsGnL
We're calling on the government to take action on one of Universal Credit's longest-standing problems: the 5 week wait.
Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4odsGnL
UK poverty crisis as 500,000 children in homes trapped in benefit debt cycle
Exclusive: Tens of thousands of families are forced to take out loans to cover the five-week wait until their first universal credit payment – but many struggle to pay it back
www.independent.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Great to see coverage of the 5 week wait in @the-independent.com, highlighting new Citizens Advice analysis of the huge scale of this issue
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
⚠️800,000 households repaying loans to DWP only needed because of 5 week wait for 1st UC payment
⚠️0.5M+ children growing up in households repaying these loans
Reposted
Very encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but it is disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered. Thread on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy:
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 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Very encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but it is disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered. Thread on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy:
Reposted
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
September 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
Important and thoughtful new report from @beccastacey.bsky.social on how the benefits system could be better at making work pay for disabled people
+ great to see this coverage in @bigissue.com from @cjayanetti.bsky.social 👇👇👇
+ great to see this coverage in @bigissue.com from @cjayanetti.bsky.social 👇👇👇
September 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Important and thoughtful new report from @beccastacey.bsky.social on how the benefits system could be better at making work pay for disabled people
+ great to see this coverage in @bigissue.com from @cjayanetti.bsky.social 👇👇👇
+ great to see this coverage in @bigissue.com from @cjayanetti.bsky.social 👇👇👇
Reposted
Government’s claim that Universal Credit Bill will incentivise people to work is ‘wishful thinking’
@citizensadvice.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/68056
@citizensadvice.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/68056
September 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Government’s claim that Universal Credit Bill will incentivise people to work is ‘wishful thinking’
@citizensadvice.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/68056
@citizensadvice.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/68056
Reposted
Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted!
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Not so Universal: the two-tiered health element. How the Universal Credit Bill will create a two-tiered system for disabled people.
Briefing by Victoria Anns on how the Universal Credit Bill will create a two-tiered system for disabled people.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
September 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted!
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted
🚨 We're hiring a Policy Research Assistant in the Families, Welfare and Work team at Citizens Advice🚨
Come and help us make the benefits system fairer (and work with lots of lovely people)!
Deadline to apply is 21st August: www.jobtrain.co.uk/citizensadvi...
Come and help us make the benefits system fairer (and work with lots of lovely people)!
Deadline to apply is 21st August: www.jobtrain.co.uk/citizensadvi...
Policy Research Assistant:Blended between office and home (England and Wales)
www.jobtrain.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🚨 We're hiring a Policy Research Assistant in the Families, Welfare and Work team at Citizens Advice🚨
Come and help us make the benefits system fairer (and work with lots of lovely people)!
Deadline to apply is 21st August: www.jobtrain.co.uk/citizensadvi...
Come and help us make the benefits system fairer (and work with lots of lovely people)!
Deadline to apply is 21st August: www.jobtrain.co.uk/citizensadvi...
📢New briefing with @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social published today - looking at how UC’s rigid monthly model is often at odds with recipients’ working lives, and how + why the UC review could be a chance to fix this ⬇️
August 7, 2025 at 12:52 PM
📢New briefing with @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social published today - looking at how UC’s rigid monthly model is often at odds with recipients’ working lives, and how + why the UC review could be a chance to fix this ⬇️
Reposted
Raising state pension age is a surefire way of increasing spend on disability benefits
www.ft.com/content/1b30...
www.ft.com/content/1b30...
UK launches review into state pension age
Move announced as government also appoints commission to look at boosting retirement savings
www.ft.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Raising state pension age is a surefire way of increasing spend on disability benefits
www.ft.com/content/1b30...
www.ft.com/content/1b30...
Reposted
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Work incentives aren't working: is the Universal Credit review asking the right questions?
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
July 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The narrative around Universal Credit has long centred around work incentives.
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
This new briefing examines how effective UC is at encouraging employment – and how that focus may have overshadowed the deeper complexities of getting into work. 🧵
🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted
🚨 New report alert 🚨
We’ve launched our first local deep dive research into health inequalities - starting in Chapeltown, Leeds.
What does geography have to do with health & work? Quite a lot, it turns out. 🧵
We’ve launched our first local deep dive research into health inequalities - starting in Chapeltown, Leeds.
What does geography have to do with health & work? Quite a lot, it turns out. 🧵
July 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🚨 New report alert 🚨
We’ve launched our first local deep dive research into health inequalities - starting in Chapeltown, Leeds.
What does geography have to do with health & work? Quite a lot, it turns out. 🧵
We’ve launched our first local deep dive research into health inequalities - starting in Chapeltown, Leeds.
What does geography have to do with health & work? Quite a lot, it turns out. 🧵
Reposted
The government's concessions on disability benefits cuts are a good start but do nothing to help those who will need disability benefits in the future. Anyone can become disabled at any time and future claimants are no less deserving of support than existing claimants
June 27, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The government's concessions on disability benefits cuts are a good start but do nothing to help those who will need disability benefits in the future. Anyone can become disabled at any time and future claimants are no less deserving of support than existing claimants
Reposted
Changes to UCPIP bill are result of campaigners & disabled people speaking out about the profound harm the govt was about to inflict.
However, the bill remains illogical & inherently unfair.
The govt should pause & come back with meaningful reform if serious about “fixing the foundations”.
However, the bill remains illogical & inherently unfair.
The govt should pause & come back with meaningful reform if serious about “fixing the foundations”.
June 27, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Changes to UCPIP bill are result of campaigners & disabled people speaking out about the profound harm the govt was about to inflict.
However, the bill remains illogical & inherently unfair.
The govt should pause & come back with meaningful reform if serious about “fixing the foundations”.
However, the bill remains illogical & inherently unfair.
The govt should pause & come back with meaningful reform if serious about “fixing the foundations”.
Reposted
How will the proposed disability benefit cuts impact disabled people? Today we’re sharing the story of one of the people we’ve helped: Anita*.
The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗
New blog out now: medium.com/p/1ab8959922a1
The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗
New blog out now: medium.com/p/1ab8959922a1
Anita’s story
How cuts to disability benefits could impact millions
medium.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:25 AM
How will the proposed disability benefit cuts impact disabled people? Today we’re sharing the story of one of the people we’ve helped: Anita*.
The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗
New blog out now: medium.com/p/1ab8959922a1
The cuts could mean she loses over £8k per year (43% of her income)❗
New blog out now: medium.com/p/1ab8959922a1
Reposted
Heartened to see these charities working together to oppose the UC and PIP bill - www.ucpipbill.co.uk
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill -
On Tuesday 1st July, MPs will be asked to vote on the UC & PIP Bill, which contains the biggest cuts to social security in a decade. This briefing from ten organisations including Scope, Citizens Advi...
www.ucpipbill.co.uk
June 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Heartened to see these charities working together to oppose the UC and PIP bill - www.ucpipbill.co.uk
Reposted
UC & PIP bill proposes the biggest cuts to disability benefits since OBR was created. It would:
✂️cut benefits for 3.2m disabled ppl
📈Push 300,000-400,000 into poverty, including 50,000 children
📈 Drive 440,000 into severe hardship
New joint briefing: www.ucpipbill.co.uk
✂️cut benefits for 3.2m disabled ppl
📈Push 300,000-400,000 into poverty, including 50,000 children
📈 Drive 440,000 into severe hardship
New joint briefing: www.ucpipbill.co.uk
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill -
On Tuesday 1st July, MPs will be asked to vote on the UC & PIP Bill, which contains the biggest cuts to social security in a decade. This briefing from ten organisations including Scope, Citizens Advi...
www.ucpipbill.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 11:10 AM
UC & PIP bill proposes the biggest cuts to disability benefits since OBR was created. It would:
✂️cut benefits for 3.2m disabled ppl
📈Push 300,000-400,000 into poverty, including 50,000 children
📈 Drive 440,000 into severe hardship
New joint briefing: www.ucpipbill.co.uk
✂️cut benefits for 3.2m disabled ppl
📈Push 300,000-400,000 into poverty, including 50,000 children
📈 Drive 440,000 into severe hardship
New joint briefing: www.ucpipbill.co.uk
Reposted
The new welfare bill could cut billions from health & disability benefits, putting hundreds of thousands of disabled people at risk of poverty.
Join @citizensadvice.bsky.social on 26 June to hear from a panel of experts and explore our data ⤵️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citizens-a... #CADataInsights
Join @citizensadvice.bsky.social on 26 June to hear from a panel of experts and explore our data ⤵️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citizens-a... #CADataInsights
June 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The new welfare bill could cut billions from health & disability benefits, putting hundreds of thousands of disabled people at risk of poverty.
Join @citizensadvice.bsky.social on 26 June to hear from a panel of experts and explore our data ⤵️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citizens-a... #CADataInsights
Join @citizensadvice.bsky.social on 26 June to hear from a panel of experts and explore our data ⤵️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citizens-a... #CADataInsights
Reposted
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. But what's actually in the bill and what happens next?
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
Why we’re asking MPs to vote against the bill to cut disability benefits
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. It details plans to cut billions…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
June 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Today, the government laid its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill before parliament. But what's actually in the bill and what happens next?
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...
New blog out now: wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/why-were-ask...