@julia-rt.bsky.social
Welfare policy research @citizensadvice.bsky.social
All views my own
All views my own
Pinned
Less than 2% of rents affordable for benefit claimants, report warns
People are being forced into a ‘cycle of debt, poverty and homelessness’, a charity chief said
www.independent.co.uk
Frozen housing costs support is putting unsustainable pressure on renters' budgets:
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
Reposted
The cost-of-living crisis is actively driving a crisis in public health.
2.6 million UK households can’t afford their essentials, an increase of 1.6m since 2022.
When living standards collapse, health pays the price.
We need to #TurnTheTide wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-cost-of-...
2.6 million UK households can’t afford their essentials, an increase of 1.6m since 2022.
When living standards collapse, health pays the price.
We need to #TurnTheTide wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-cost-of-...
The cost of living crisis is a health crisis
A 19-year gap in healthy life expectancy currently divides the poorest and richest communities in the UK. This gap is not an accident. It…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
September 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The cost-of-living crisis is actively driving a crisis in public health.
2.6 million UK households can’t afford their essentials, an increase of 1.6m since 2022.
When living standards collapse, health pays the price.
We need to #TurnTheTide wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-cost-of-...
2.6 million UK households can’t afford their essentials, an increase of 1.6m since 2022.
When living standards collapse, health pays the price.
We need to #TurnTheTide wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/the-cost-of-...
Reposted
The latest data shows that rent inflation ticked up too. The average private rent in the UK increased by 3.7 per cent in the 12 months to July, slightly above the rate for June of 3.3 per cent.
August 19, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The latest data shows that rent inflation ticked up too. The average private rent in the UK increased by 3.7 per cent in the 12 months to July, slightly above the rate for June of 3.3 per cent.
Reposted
Housing benefit claimants can afford 1.9% of private rental homes on the market, driving thousands to food banks or at risk of homelessness.
Just 2 out of every 100 rental homes affordable on housing benefit
www.bigissue.com
July 7, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Housing benefit claimants can afford 1.9% of private rental homes on the market, driving thousands to food banks or at risk of homelessness.
Frozen housing costs support is putting unsustainable pressure on renters' budgets:
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
Less than 2% of rents affordable for benefit claimants, report warns
People are being forced into a ‘cycle of debt, poverty and homelessness’, a charity chief said
www.independent.co.uk
July 7, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Frozen housing costs support is putting unsustainable pressure on renters' budgets:
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
48% of private renters getting UC across the UK have cut back on essentials in the last 6 months
The no. of private renters we helped w/ housing benefit, who were also referred to foodbanks is up 79% since 21/22
Reposted
The gap between the support lower income private tenants can get and the price of market rents has reached 21 per cent.
That's approaching the record gap of 23 per cent, when support was last increased, but the govt has no plans to increase support until at least 2030
That's approaching the record gap of 23 per cent, when support was last increased, but the govt has no plans to increase support until at least 2030
June 19, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The gap between the support lower income private tenants can get and the price of market rents has reached 21 per cent.
That's approaching the record gap of 23 per cent, when support was last increased, but the govt has no plans to increase support until at least 2030
That's approaching the record gap of 23 per cent, when support was last increased, but the govt has no plans to increase support until at least 2030
Reposted
NEW: Labour's housing benefit cuts have hit a million of the poorest renters, often costing them more than £1,000 a year
Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have been worst hit
My new substack on the cost of living measure the next PM must take chamindajayanetti.substack.com/p/how-labour...
Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have been worst hit
My new substack on the cost of living measure the next PM must take chamindajayanetti.substack.com/p/how-labour...
How Labour’s benefit cuts cost the poorest renters thousands of pounds
The cost of living measure that must be a non-negotiable for the next prime minister
chamindajayanetti.substack.com
May 29, 2026 at 2:39 PM
NEW: Labour's housing benefit cuts have hit a million of the poorest renters, often costing them more than £1,000 a year
Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have been worst hit
My new substack on the cost of living measure the next PM must take chamindajayanetti.substack.com/p/how-labour...
Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have been worst hit
My new substack on the cost of living measure the next PM must take chamindajayanetti.substack.com/p/how-labour...
Reposted
Today, alongside the @healthfoundation.bsky.social , we’ve published a major report looking at the link between poor health and housing. Too many people in the UK live in homes that are making them sick and it’s worsening health inequalities. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Building healthier foundations: How to improve access to healthy housing for all
Report funded by the Health Foundation exploring the links between housing and health
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
May 20, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Today, alongside the @healthfoundation.bsky.social , we’ve published a major report looking at the link between poor health and housing. Too many people in the UK live in homes that are making them sick and it’s worsening health inequalities. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Housing costs support is one of the most common issues we help low-income households with at @citizensadvice.bsky.social
A big reason: private renters' UC housing support is frozen at rent levels from 2.5+yrs ago. And rents are up 16% since then.
New blog from me + @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social 🧵
A big reason: private renters' UC housing support is frozen at rent levels from 2.5+yrs ago. And rents are up 16% since then.
New blog from me + @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social 🧵
Feeling the freeze
How a failure to uprate housing support is causing hardship for low-income renters
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
May 11, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Housing costs support is one of the most common issues we help low-income households with at @citizensadvice.bsky.social
A big reason: private renters' UC housing support is frozen at rent levels from 2.5+yrs ago. And rents are up 16% since then.
New blog from me + @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social 🧵
A big reason: private renters' UC housing support is frozen at rent levels from 2.5+yrs ago. And rents are up 16% since then.
New blog from me + @drsarahhadfield.bsky.social 🧵
Reposted
More than 710,000 disabled people are waiting for PIP decisions, with new claim wait times now at 20 weeks.
These delays can push people into poverty and worsen health conditions.
My new blog breaks down the backlog and why the Timms Review must not lose sight of delays and the harm they cause.
These delays can push people into poverty and worsen health conditions.
My new blog breaks down the backlog and why the Timms Review must not lose sight of delays and the harm they cause.
Delays to PIP decisions are leaving disabled people struggling
New DWP data shows more than 710,000 disabled people are waiting for PIP decisions
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
March 24, 2026 at 10:50 AM
More than 710,000 disabled people are waiting for PIP decisions, with new claim wait times now at 20 weeks.
These delays can push people into poverty and worsen health conditions.
My new blog breaks down the backlog and why the Timms Review must not lose sight of delays and the harm they cause.
These delays can push people into poverty and worsen health conditions.
My new blog breaks down the backlog and why the Timms Review must not lose sight of delays and the harm they cause.
Reposted
Access to Work isn’t meeting its BIG potential! 🧵
New report out now: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
New report out now: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Limited Access to Work: How the Access to Work scheme could better fulfill its potential
Evidence and insights from Citizens Advice, highlighting three key ways the Access to Work scheme could be improved to better support disabled people to work.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
March 5, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Access to Work isn’t meeting its BIG potential! 🧵
New report out now: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
New report out now: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helps 900 people a day with issues relating to the disability benefit PIP. That's a sign that the system isn't working as it should.
The Timms review of PIP could be a chance to change that. We asked our advisers what it needs to get right: medium.com/p/5a3f881a08ee
The Timms review of PIP could be a chance to change that. We asked our advisers what it needs to get right: medium.com/p/5a3f881a08ee
3 things the Timms Review of PIP must achieve, according to Citizens Advice advisers
At Citizens Advice, we helped 225,000 people with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2025 alone. That means we have a unique insight…
medium.com
February 24, 2026 at 3:49 PM
@citizensadvice.bsky.social helps 900 people a day with issues relating to the disability benefit PIP. That's a sign that the system isn't working as it should.
The Timms review of PIP could be a chance to change that. We asked our advisers what it needs to get right: medium.com/p/5a3f881a08ee
The Timms review of PIP could be a chance to change that. We asked our advisers what it needs to get right: medium.com/p/5a3f881a08ee
Reposted
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
🧵 NEW: Our report 'Listen and learn' sets out how the Government should improve Universal Credit (UC) for the 15 million people who rely on it.
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
Reposted
No mention here of the upcoming cut to Universal Credit, which will cost 700,000+ disabled people an average of £3,000 a year.
From April, the health element of UC will be cut by nearly 50% for new claimants. Set out by @victoria-anns.bsky.social here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
From April, the health element of UC will be cut by nearly 50% for new claimants. Set out by @victoria-anns.bsky.social here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
January 29, 2026 at 5:09 PM
No mention here of the upcoming cut to Universal Credit, which will cost 700,000+ disabled people an average of £3,000 a year.
From April, the health element of UC will be cut by nearly 50% for new claimants. Set out by @victoria-anns.bsky.social here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
From April, the health element of UC will be cut by nearly 50% for new claimants. Set out by @victoria-anns.bsky.social here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
January 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM
The Equality Act should protect disabled people at work
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
But @citizensadvice.bsky.social supported 5,393 people with health-related job discrimination in 2025 - roughly one every 1.5 hours
Mine and @victoria-anns.bsky.social's new report digs into the barriers our disabled clients face at work /1
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 👇👇👇