Dr Hayley Bennett
@haylesben.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, University of Edinburgh. Welfare state, social security, (un)employment, poverty, policy-making. Views own, RTs not endorsements. https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/hayley-bennett
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
I heard a story about a female academic giving a paper at the IHR who, after receiving a long and aggressive question from a senior male professor, simply leaned back with her hands behind her head and replied “Oh, do fuck off.”
One of my colleagues went to a seminar at Berkeley and when someone asked a question Derrida brushed it off saying ‘what you ask may be important but it is not interesting’.
This path leads to chaos.
November 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I heard a story about a female academic giving a paper at the IHR who, after receiving a long and aggressive question from a senior male professor, simply leaned back with her hands behind her head and replied “Oh, do fuck off.”
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
At today’s autumn budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped the two-child benefit limit, which was first introduced in 2017 by the then Conservative government.
Our senior reporter Isabella McRae and campaigns manager Rhianon Steeds explain what scrapping this measure actually means. 💻
Our senior reporter Isabella McRae and campaigns manager Rhianon Steeds explain what scrapping this measure actually means. 💻
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
At today’s autumn budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped the two-child benefit limit, which was first introduced in 2017 by the then Conservative government.
Our senior reporter Isabella McRae and campaigns manager Rhianon Steeds explain what scrapping this measure actually means. 💻
Our senior reporter Isabella McRae and campaigns manager Rhianon Steeds explain what scrapping this measure actually means. 💻
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
We break down exactly how the end to the two-child limit on benefits will impact low-income households in the UK.
What does the end to the two-child limit mean for you?
www.bigissue.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
We break down exactly how the end to the two-child limit on benefits will impact low-income households in the UK.
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
🧵1/ Rachel Reeves has delivered the 2025 autumn budget, setting out the government’s economic plans amid Westminster theatre over a pre-speech leak.
If you’re wondering what the budget means for you, Big Issue journalists have you covered. Thread below. ⬇️
If you’re wondering what the budget means for you, Big Issue journalists have you covered. Thread below. ⬇️
November 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🧵1/ Rachel Reeves has delivered the 2025 autumn budget, setting out the government’s economic plans amid Westminster theatre over a pre-speech leak.
If you’re wondering what the budget means for you, Big Issue journalists have you covered. Thread below. ⬇️
If you’re wondering what the budget means for you, Big Issue journalists have you covered. Thread below. ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
Navigating social security can be daunting. Here's what you need to know about what benefits you could claim.
What benefits can I claim?
www.bigissue.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Navigating social security can be daunting. Here's what you need to know about what benefits you could claim.
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
“Specifying an extreme wealth line would facilitate measurement of a growing democratic, environmental, economic and social problem – and spark debate about how to tackle it”
– Tania Burchardt @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social and @michaelvaughan.bsky.social in our latest blog post
– Tania Burchardt @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social and @michaelvaughan.bsky.social in our latest blog post
Let’s be clear – an Extreme Wealth Line is not a cap on wealth
An extreme wealth line (EWL) defines a level where the harms associated with extreme wealth become socially unacceptable. It is not the same as a cap on wealth
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“Specifying an extreme wealth line would facilitate measurement of a growing democratic, environmental, economic and social problem – and spark debate about how to tackle it”
– Tania Burchardt @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social and @michaelvaughan.bsky.social in our latest blog post
– Tania Burchardt @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social and @michaelvaughan.bsky.social in our latest blog post
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
More pictures from Holyrood rally @ucuscotland.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
More pictures from Holyrood rally @ucuscotland.bsky.social
This week I should be teaching, writing research grants & reports, sharing research evidence, supervising phd students, supporting UG & PG students, REF impact coordinating, responding to media requests, & developing new research networks. Instead we are on strike at Edinburgh Uni.
November 18, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This week I should be teaching, writing research grants & reports, sharing research evidence, supervising phd students, supporting UG & PG students, REF impact coordinating, responding to media requests, & developing new research networks. Instead we are on strike at Edinburgh Uni.
When you ask your students how they felt doing a participant observation task on your methods course: lots felt “creepy”
November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
When you ask your students how they felt doing a participant observation task on your methods course: lots felt “creepy”
In today’s episode of Edinburgh Uni’s “let’s make random cuts here there and everywhere without any kind of strategy or comms process”… our printer has disappeared 🙄
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
In today’s episode of Edinburgh Uni’s “let’s make random cuts here there and everywhere without any kind of strategy or comms process”… our printer has disappeared 🙄
Just as I finish all my midterm marking where I point numerous students towards IAD resources, I read that the department has been axed. Ouch 😩 thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
Excl: Edinburgh University begins compulsory layoffs with department set to be axed
Seven staff in the Instute for Academic Development are set to lose their jobs when the department closes
thetab.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Just as I finish all my midterm marking where I point numerous students towards IAD resources, I read that the department has been axed. Ouch 😩 thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
The number of people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training in Britain is now close to one million.
RF Senior Economist Louise Murphy breaks down what we can do to help these young people back into work or study.
Read the full report here: buff.ly/s3jjW8h
RF Senior Economist Louise Murphy breaks down what we can do to help these young people back into work or study.
Read the full report here: buff.ly/s3jjW8h
October 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The number of people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training in Britain is now close to one million.
RF Senior Economist Louise Murphy breaks down what we can do to help these young people back into work or study.
Read the full report here: buff.ly/s3jjW8h
RF Senior Economist Louise Murphy breaks down what we can do to help these young people back into work or study.
Read the full report here: buff.ly/s3jjW8h
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
🌟PSA PRIZES🌟 Nominations for Academic Prizes are now open!
📢 We invite prize nominations outstanding Research, Professional Contributions and Teaching & Learning.
📆 Deadline for nominations 1 December 2025
➡️ Full details, eligibility, guidelines and forms online
📢 We invite prize nominations outstanding Research, Professional Contributions and Teaching & Learning.
📆 Deadline for nominations 1 December 2025
➡️ Full details, eligibility, guidelines and forms online
Academic Prizes Overview | The Political Studies Association (PSA)
Become a member Log in
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🌟PSA PRIZES🌟 Nominations for Academic Prizes are now open!
📢 We invite prize nominations outstanding Research, Professional Contributions and Teaching & Learning.
📆 Deadline for nominations 1 December 2025
➡️ Full details, eligibility, guidelines and forms online
📢 We invite prize nominations outstanding Research, Professional Contributions and Teaching & Learning.
📆 Deadline for nominations 1 December 2025
➡️ Full details, eligibility, guidelines and forms online
TBH I know nothing about wikibooks but am a little tired of the inequities in the publishing world. So I read this, and am sharing as other academics might find it informative too. blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
Does academia need a wakeup call on Wikibooks? - Impact of Social Sciences
Wikibooks has nearly half a billion annual page views, but has hardly featured in academic OA debates. Could it be a solution to providing open academic books?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
TBH I know nothing about wikibooks but am a little tired of the inequities in the publishing world. So I read this, and am sharing as other academics might find it informative too. blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
Help write women onto Wikipedia this Halloween!
Learn how to edit and PUBLISH a new 50-100+ word article about women missing from our search results. As you'd expect for Halloween, our focus list included Scottish women accused of being witches. All welcome.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-write...
Learn how to edit and PUBLISH a new 50-100+ word article about women missing from our search results. As you'd expect for Halloween, our focus list included Scottish women accused of being witches. All welcome.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-write...
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Help write women onto Wikipedia this Halloween!
Learn how to edit and PUBLISH a new 50-100+ word article about women missing from our search results. As you'd expect for Halloween, our focus list included Scottish women accused of being witches. All welcome.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-write...
Learn how to edit and PUBLISH a new 50-100+ word article about women missing from our search results. As you'd expect for Halloween, our focus list included Scottish women accused of being witches. All welcome.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-write...
Anas Sarwar @ipprscotland.bsky.social event outlining the need for governance reform in Scottish health services and more use of Scottish economic levers
October 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Anas Sarwar @ipprscotland.bsky.social event outlining the need for governance reform in Scottish health services and more use of Scottish economic levers
Next session at the @ipprscotland.bsky.social focussing on the health of Scotland’s democracy
October 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Next session at the @ipprscotland.bsky.social focussing on the health of Scotland’s democracy
FM John Swinney responding to Emma Jackson (Citizens Advice Scotland) question about growing needs in Scotland & improving collaboration. Swinney saying he welcomed the #Scotlanddemandsbetter march over the weekend
October 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
FM John Swinney responding to Emma Jackson (Citizens Advice Scotland) question about growing needs in Scotland & improving collaboration. Swinney saying he welcomed the #Scotlanddemandsbetter march over the weekend
Attending the @ipprscotland.bsky.social event today. An excellent opening from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social reminding us on democratic threats & need for more policy innovation & now @graemeroy.bsky.social outlining fiscal pressures
October 29, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Attending the @ipprscotland.bsky.social event today. An excellent opening from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social reminding us on democratic threats & need for more policy innovation & now @graemeroy.bsky.social outlining fiscal pressures
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
‘It’s been a cesspit, really, my life’: war photographer Don McCullin on 19 of his greatest pictures
‘It’s been a cesspit, really, my life’: war photographer Don McCullin on 19 of his greatest pictures
At 90, McCullin has spent seven decades recording conflict and tragedy – while escaping snipers, mortar fire and capture. He reflects on pain, pride and regret
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:39 AM
‘It’s been a cesspit, really, my life’: war photographer Don McCullin on 19 of his greatest pictures
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
Thousands march in Edinburgh calling for poverty action.
16m Britons live in poverty. Average real wage stuck at 2008 level. Regressive taxation.
Poor ignored, don't fund political parties, bribe legislators, hand freebies to ministers.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
16m Britons live in poverty. Average real wage stuck at 2008 level. Regressive taxation.
Poor ignored, don't fund political parties, bribe legislators, hand freebies to ministers.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Thousands march in Edinburgh calling for action to end poverty
The Scotland Demands Better demonstration was organised by trade unions and charities.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Thousands march in Edinburgh calling for poverty action.
16m Britons live in poverty. Average real wage stuck at 2008 level. Regressive taxation.
Poor ignored, don't fund political parties, bribe legislators, hand freebies to ministers.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
16m Britons live in poverty. Average real wage stuck at 2008 level. Regressive taxation.
Poor ignored, don't fund political parties, bribe legislators, hand freebies to ministers.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
"Workers rights bill and living wage rise will lead to a jobs bloodbath", says Daily Mail.
Apparently making workers insecure/poor is the way to economic growth
Silence on fat-cattery, food bank queues, 34% of universal credit claimants are in work
Light years away from Cadbury/Quaker capitalism.
Apparently making workers insecure/poor is the way to economic growth
Silence on fat-cattery, food bank queues, 34% of universal credit claimants are in work
Light years away from Cadbury/Quaker capitalism.
Workers rights bill & living wage rise 'will lead to a jobs bloodbath
In its Employment Rights Bill, Labour has also proposed introducing nine-month legal 'probation' periods to address concerns, but the think-tank said this was a 'messy compromise'.
www.dailymail.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
"Workers rights bill and living wage rise will lead to a jobs bloodbath", says Daily Mail.
Apparently making workers insecure/poor is the way to economic growth
Silence on fat-cattery, food bank queues, 34% of universal credit claimants are in work
Light years away from Cadbury/Quaker capitalism.
Apparently making workers insecure/poor is the way to economic growth
Silence on fat-cattery, food bank queues, 34% of universal credit claimants are in work
Light years away from Cadbury/Quaker capitalism.
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
Big Brother
HMRC cuts child benefit for 35000 families based on incomplete travel data.
HMRC trawled through travel data, interpreted it incorrectly.
Since 2016 it has powers, subject to conditions, to remove money directly from people's bank accounts.
What could go wrong in surveillance society?
HMRC cuts child benefit for 35000 families based on incomplete travel data.
HMRC trawled through travel data, interpreted it incorrectly.
Since 2016 it has powers, subject to conditions, to remove money directly from people's bank accounts.
What could go wrong in surveillance society?
HMRC cuts child benefit for 35,000 families based on incomplete travel data
UK tax agency apologises after flagging people as having emigrated, often when they return via different routes
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Big Brother
HMRC cuts child benefit for 35000 families based on incomplete travel data.
HMRC trawled through travel data, interpreted it incorrectly.
Since 2016 it has powers, subject to conditions, to remove money directly from people's bank accounts.
What could go wrong in surveillance society?
HMRC cuts child benefit for 35000 families based on incomplete travel data.
HMRC trawled through travel data, interpreted it incorrectly.
Since 2016 it has powers, subject to conditions, to remove money directly from people's bank accounts.
What could go wrong in surveillance society?
Reposted by Dr Hayley Bennett
Private rent in UK now swallows 44% of the average wage.
Monthly cost jumps to record £1,385 outside London, £2,736 in the capital.
Lack of social and affordable housing, no rent controls, as govts appease corporations and the rich.
Profiteering creating poverty/despair, stifling economic growth.
Monthly cost jumps to record £1,385 outside London, £2,736 in the capital.
Lack of social and affordable housing, no rent controls, as govts appease corporations and the rich.
Profiteering creating poverty/despair, stifling economic growth.
Private rent in Britain now swallows 44% of the average wage
Monthly cost jumps to record £1,385 outside London, and £2,736 in the capital, with hotspots showing hefty rises
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Private rent in UK now swallows 44% of the average wage.
Monthly cost jumps to record £1,385 outside London, £2,736 in the capital.
Lack of social and affordable housing, no rent controls, as govts appease corporations and the rich.
Profiteering creating poverty/despair, stifling economic growth.
Monthly cost jumps to record £1,385 outside London, £2,736 in the capital.
Lack of social and affordable housing, no rent controls, as govts appease corporations and the rich.
Profiteering creating poverty/despair, stifling economic growth.
October 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM