Lucy Bannister
@lucybannister.bsky.social
260 followers 390 following 55 posts
Interim Head of Policy & Influencing at Turn2Us. Previously Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Living Wage Foundation and local government. Trustee Sufra NW London.
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Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives. But the way politicians and the media talk about it makes people feel 'worthless'.

We can all make sure our language doesn’t contribute to harmful stigma. Read my piece in the @bigissue.com today:
We need to change the way we talk about benefits
Turn2Us is publishing two guides to help politicians and journalists improve how they talk about the benefits system and social security.
www.bigissue.com
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
I'm getting really really fed up at constant reassertion that welfare spending is "out of control" when it is the same as the average for the past few decades.

One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.
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.
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
Four panelists seated on a stage with microphones, participating in a live discussion during our event, with audience members visible.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
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
Four panelists seated on a stage with microphones, participating in a live discussion during our event, with audience members visible.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
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...
A photo of the departures board at Euston Station showing we are going to Liverpool Lime Street.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
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
Social Insecurity: How to Restore Trust in the System

Sunday 28 | 19.00 | Bluecoat | @turn2us.org.uk
Demoralising, frustrating processes are harming individuals - half of claimants said the process worsened their mental health - and eroding trust in DWP.

To successfully improve employment support and the PIP assessment, government reforms must prioritise treating people with dignity and respect.
Experiences of the UK social security system
How the experience of accessing benefits support impacts claimants and the overall effectiveness of the social security system.
www.turn2us.org.uk
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.
‘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
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Turn2us will be at the Labour Party Conference with the @thefabians.bsky.social, where we will put these findings to the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms.

Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Social Insecurity | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
fabians.org.uk
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
We have today published new research with the @bristoluni.bsky.social which demonstrates the extent to which stigma has been embedded into the design of our social security system: bit.ly/47XWX5e
An image with the Turn2us logo and tagline "Tackling financial insecurity together." The main text states: "Our report highlights how institutional stigma within the benefits system fuels demoralising and infantilising processes, reducing confidence and worsening health. This not only damages claimants' self-worth but also undermines trust in the DWP and Jobcentres." Below the text is a photo of Lucy Bannister with the caption "Lucy Bannister, Head of Policy & Influencing, Turn2us."
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Social Insecurity: How to Restore Trust in the System

Sunday 28 | 19.00 | Bluecoat | @turn2us.org.uk
Gross snobbery, but what shines through is a system broken by a focus on control rather than support.

When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.

Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...
I was on £100k. Now I’m on my first trip to the job centre at 48
Three months ago Frank Gibson was a high earner in the tech industry. Now he’s lost his job and his savings have run out. Can a twentysomething with long pink nails and fake lashes help him find work?
www.thetimes.com
A few days left to apply for our new Social Change Manager role at @turn2us.org.uk - driving forward our systemic change ambition to reduce the stigma associated with needing financial support.

If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...
Social Change Manager
Join Turn2us as a Social Change Manager
www.turn2us.org.uk
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
✊ Change happens when we stand together to demand it. Join our free Get Organised meetings for #ScotlandDemandsBetter!
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Tomorrow MPs will vote again on plans to cut over £200 a month from people too ill to work.

Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.

Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...
White and orange copy on a black background: In a country as wealthy as ours, sickness should never mean hunger or eviction. Last week the government accepted the need for further review and consultation before making severe cuts to PIP. The same care must be taken with Universal Credit. Write to your MP Stop the cuts to Universal Credit
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
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Volunteer opportunities | PBE
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So relieved to see Labour MPs standing firm in their solidarity here.

Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.

It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.
EXC - No10 is set to offer concessions to Labour rebels on welfare. Talks are ongoing but changes could be made to Pip reforms.

A number of cabinet ministers are now said to believe the bill has no chance of passing in its current form

With
@kiranstacey.bsky.social @pippacrerar.bsky.social
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve

Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
UPDATE- I’m told there are 99 signatures
BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading
Our Chief Exec ‪@thomasjlawson.bsky.social‬ speaking about these nonsensical cuts to our social security system.

"There is no moral justification for cutting the support that allows sick and disabled people to meet their basic needs, live independently, and fully take part in society."
DWP confirms new 13-week PIP rule ahead of major benefit shake-up
A new 13-week transitional period before payments are stopped has been revealed as part of the new Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill
www.mirror.co.uk
Apparently the government regrets making a financial instead of 'moral case' for its huge cuts our social security system. 🤔

Newsflash: There is no moral case for cutting critical support that enables sick and disabled people to live independently, afford the essentials and access work.
Government officials brace for up to 50 Labour MPs rebelling against welfare bill
Sources say party should have focused on the moral case for reforming the benefits system
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
(4/4) How we talk about social security matters.

We’re asking MPs and journalists to use our Talking About Social Security guides, to ensure their messages help build up our social-security system and avoid fueling harmful stigma: www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/new...
Supporting better conversations about social security
Turn2us has published two new guides to encourage more positive and respectful conversations about social security.
www.turn2us.org.uk
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
(1/4) Like our NHS, our social-security system should be there for all of us when we need it. Yet, this week, the government is expected to bring forward legislation that will cut vital support and push more people, especially those who are disabled, into poverty.
Orange and white text on a black background: We need a social-security system that we can all trust and be proud of. Ask your MP to scrap cuts to vital support
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Powerful letter from @carers-uk.bsky.social calling on the government to delay planned cuts to support for disabled people & carers, and change course to implement measures that 'alleviate rather than exacerbate' carer poverty. www.carersuk.org/news-and-cam...
Open letter to the Prime Minister on welfare reform | Carers UK
www.carersuk.org