@drsoapsub.bsky.social @spaemploysocsec.bsky.social @benbgeiger.bsky.social @pollardtom.bsky.social @wilsontony.bsky.social @kayleyhignell.bsky.social @moneyandmentalhealth.org @beccastacey.bsky.social @ingunborg.bsky.social @kingscsmh.bsky.social @profsharonwright.bsky.social

Read our open access research article in the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...

What if we took a more holistic approach to understanding capacity for work? What might change if the benefits system created a safe space for people to talk about the whole range of barriers they face, instead of the preoccupation with assessing and categorising people based on health alone?

We argue that the climb in mental health related benefit claims is (in part) a result of these structural mechanisms of medicalisation. Ill health is the only thing that ‘counts’ in the benefit system; therefore, it’s the thing that gets counted.

But the Work Capability Assessment is only interested in the effects of health symptoms. It neglects the wider range of barriers people face. It individualises and medicalises a much more complex picture and diverts the focus away from structural and socioeconomic barriers to work.

There’s got to be some active labour market metaphor in there somewhere!

"The key is to give people enough support so they could stabilise their situation, allowing the space to think beyond getting by each day. This can be achieved by higher UC rates, less pressure from conditionality, and high-quality
employment support" (2/2)
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...

@ingunborg.bsky.social @benbgeiger.bsky.social @kingscsmh.bsky.social

You inspire me Ruth. All those things make you the amazing and unique researcher that you are xx

Hi Connor! Massive congratulations - this is great news! I’ve worked with the Welfare Conditionality data as a secondary analyst, so would be very happy to chat when you get under way!

@kingscsmh.bsky.social

Thanks so much Ceri!

@ceridwenhughes.bsky.social @katyjones.bsky.social @sionedps.bsky.social @benbgeiger.bsky.social @drvanesafuertes.bsky.social - please share! 👍