Keir Starmer said yesterday: “Labour is the party of work. We shouldn’t shrug our shoulders as millions are unable to work.” Stop creating a false binary. Clinician here: cutting £5–6k from disabled people isn’t help—it’s wilful abandonment and many will die. #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 29, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Keir Starmer said yesterday: “Labour is the party of work. We shouldn’t shrug our shoulders as millions are unable to work.” Stop creating a false binary. Clinician here: cutting £5–6k from disabled people isn’t help—it’s wilful abandonment and many will die. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Disability benefits aren’t “extra” money. They’re the bare minimum to survive in a world that disables us—through poverty, inaccessibility, and neglect. Cutting them isn’t reform. It’s state-sanctioned harm. Please support us. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Disability benefits aren’t “extra” money. They’re the bare minimum to survive in a world that disables us—through poverty, inaccessibility, and neglect. Cutting them isn’t reform. It’s state-sanctioned harm. Please support us. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
Keir Starmer is furious the OBR didn’t “price in” his fantasy that slashing #DisabilityBenefits will magically push people into work. But they went with evidence. Claimants, researchers, clinicians all know the likelier outcomes: collapse, crisis, and harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Keir Starmer is furious the OBR didn’t “price in” his fantasy that slashing #DisabilityBenefits will magically push people into work. But they went with evidence. Claimants, researchers, clinicians all know the likelier outcomes: collapse, crisis, and harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
“About 400,000 people are falling out of work due to sickness,” says Kendall. “The longer someone is signed off, the less likely they are to return.” Well, yes, because they’re sicker or disabled — not less willing. Illness and disability aren't a work ethic problem, Liz. #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
“About 400,000 people are falling out of work due to sickness,” says Kendall. “The longer someone is signed off, the less likely they are to return.” Well, yes, because they’re sicker or disabled — not less willing. Illness and disability aren't a work ethic problem, Liz. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Disability benefits are generous in the UK, are they? This week: PIP daily living rose by £1.25 (standard) or £1.85 (enhanced). That’s 1.7%.
Today: energy bills rose 6.4%.
That’s not generosity. It’s abandonment. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
Today: energy bills rose 6.4%.
That’s not generosity. It’s abandonment. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Disability benefits are generous in the UK, are they? This week: PIP daily living rose by £1.25 (standard) or £1.85 (enhanced). That’s 1.7%.
Today: energy bills rose 6.4%.
That’s not generosity. It’s abandonment. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
Today: energy bills rose 6.4%.
That’s not generosity. It’s abandonment. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
MPs - Starmer says people too ill to work will be “protected.” But that protection already exists—it’s called LCWRA. Labour’s plan? Halve the money. Shrink the group. Strip the support. Don’t fall for the spin. Vote against these dangerous #DisabilityCuts. #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
MPs - Starmer says people too ill to work will be “protected.” But that protection already exists—it’s called LCWRA. Labour’s plan? Halve the money. Shrink the group. Strip the support. Don’t fall for the spin. Vote against these dangerous #DisabilityCuts. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Two of the strongest predictors of suicide? Financial precarity—and being made to feel like a failure.
Labour’s #DisabilityBenefits cuts risk both. This isn’t reform. It’s reckless harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Labour’s #DisabilityBenefits cuts risk both. This isn’t reform. It’s reckless harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Two of the strongest predictors of suicide? Financial precarity—and being made to feel like a failure.
Labour’s #DisabilityBenefits cuts risk both. This isn’t reform. It’s reckless harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Labour’s #DisabilityBenefits cuts risk both. This isn’t reform. It’s reckless harm. #WelfareNotWorkfare
The DWP exaggerated a 50% rise in sick/disabled claimants into 383% — got called out, then quietly edited the press release two weeks later.
No apology. No correction note.
Misleading the public to justify cuts. Again.
#WelfareNotWorkfare Thanks @carlee1001001.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/5a5wt6wt
No apology. No correction note.
Misleading the public to justify cuts. Again.
#WelfareNotWorkfare Thanks @carlee1001001.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/5a5wt6wt
tinyurl.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The DWP exaggerated a 50% rise in sick/disabled claimants into 383% — got called out, then quietly edited the press release two weeks later.
No apology. No correction note.
Misleading the public to justify cuts. Again.
#WelfareNotWorkfare Thanks @carlee1001001.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/5a5wt6wt
No apology. No correction note.
Misleading the public to justify cuts. Again.
#WelfareNotWorkfare Thanks @carlee1001001.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/5a5wt6wt
Rachel Reeves says #DisabilityBenefits cuts will lift people out of poverty—her own impact assessment says they’ll plunge 250,000 into it. This isn’t policy, it’s a psychological double bind: gaslighting with a spreadsheet. #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Rachel Reeves says #DisabilityBenefits cuts will lift people out of poverty—her own impact assessment says they’ll plunge 250,000 into it. This isn’t policy, it’s a psychological double bind: gaslighting with a spreadsheet. #WelfareNotWorkfare
£5,000 a year is an unloseable amount for most people. For disabled households—1 in 5 already relying on food banks—it’s not just unimaginable. It’s unliveable. We have to stop this. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
£5,000 a year is an unloseable amount for most people. For disabled households—1 in 5 already relying on food banks—it’s not just unimaginable. It’s unliveable. We have to stop this. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
🧵“Benefit recipients are often ‘slightly fearful’ of looking for work” Keir Starmer said today, defending Labour’s plans to cut support for disabled people. A vital moment to revisit Friedli & Stearn’s work on psychocompulsion—how disability is psychologised as a mindset problem. #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
🧵“Benefit recipients are often ‘slightly fearful’ of looking for work” Keir Starmer said today, defending Labour’s plans to cut support for disabled people. A vital moment to revisit Friedli & Stearn’s work on psychocompulsion—how disability is psychologised as a mindset problem. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Finished a third sticker design for my anti-capitalist bestiary tonight. :D
#DisabledRights #DisabilityPride #WelfareNotWorkfare
#DisabledRights #DisabilityPride #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 22, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Finished a third sticker design for my anti-capitalist bestiary tonight. :D
#DisabledRights #DisabilityPride #WelfareNotWorkfare
#DisabledRights #DisabilityPride #WelfareNotWorkfare
As a consultant clinical psychologist, I wouldn’t dream of making a policy decision without knowing who it could push into poverty, hospital—or an early grave. So why are MPs doing exactly that? It’s reckless. It’s indefensible. #WelfareNotWorkfare
MPs to vote on disability benefit cuts without knowing the ‘full impact’
This is ABSOLUTE MADNESS given the governments own impact assessment predicts cuts would drive at least 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children
How can MP’s vote for this now?
This is ABSOLUTE MADNESS given the governments own impact assessment predicts cuts would drive at least 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children
How can MP’s vote for this now?
I’m joining @trusselluk.bsky.social in calling on the government to rethink its cruel, shameful & completely irresponsible plan to cut benefits which will plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty - on its own impact analysis
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
This is how you can help
youtu.be/XrX4dF3wqt0?...
March 31, 2025 at 10:52 AM
As a consultant clinical psychologist, I wouldn’t dream of making a policy decision without knowing who it could push into poverty, hospital—or an early grave. So why are MPs doing exactly that? It’s reckless. It’s indefensible. #WelfareNotWorkfare
I keep hearing people say “Right to try” is a rare good thing in Labour’s Green Paper.
Caution please. Without cast-iron guarantees, trying work could mean losing legally entitled transitional protection—now or later.
That could mean income dropping by 50%.
#WelfareNotWorkfare
Caution please. Without cast-iron guarantees, trying work could mean losing legally entitled transitional protection—now or later.
That could mean income dropping by 50%.
#WelfareNotWorkfare
April 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I keep hearing people say “Right to try” is a rare good thing in Labour’s Green Paper.
Caution please. Without cast-iron guarantees, trying work could mean losing legally entitled transitional protection—now or later.
That could mean income dropping by 50%.
#WelfareNotWorkfare
Caution please. Without cast-iron guarantees, trying work could mean losing legally entitled transitional protection—now or later.
That could mean income dropping by 50%.
#WelfareNotWorkfare
Labour’s new term ‘Universal Credit Health Element’ is a dodge—collapsing LCW & LCWRA into a vague blob to hide who’s hit hardest: folk medically assessed as unable to work. We reject this erasure. Words shape policy—this one’s rigged to cut. #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Labour’s new term ‘Universal Credit Health Element’ is a dodge—collapsing LCW & LCWRA into a vague blob to hide who’s hit hardest: folk medically assessed as unable to work. We reject this erasure. Words shape policy—this one’s rigged to cut. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Nearly all awards for new PIP claims are short-term: 79% of awards are short term (0 to 2 years). Yet the green paper suggests re-assessing more frequently! This would be impractical and costly at the best of times let alone when re-assessments repeatedly linked to suicide. #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Nearly all awards for new PIP claims are short-term: 79% of awards are short term (0 to 2 years). Yet the green paper suggests re-assessing more frequently! This would be impractical and costly at the best of times let alone when re-assessments repeatedly linked to suicide. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Working on some new sticker designs this weekend! :D
Here's 'Work Is Not Worth'!
#welfareNotWorkfare #DisabledRights #art #illustration
Here's 'Work Is Not Worth'!
#welfareNotWorkfare #DisabledRights #art #illustration
April 20, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Working on some new sticker designs this weekend! :D
Here's 'Work Is Not Worth'!
#welfareNotWorkfare #DisabledRights #art #illustration
Here's 'Work Is Not Worth'!
#welfareNotWorkfare #DisabledRights #art #illustration
To window-dress the LCWRA cut, Labour’s float a “disability premium”—but only for those with lifelong conditions and no chance of improvement. Most will be excluded. There are no details. No consultation. And MPs are expected to vote. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
April 12, 2025 at 11:47 AM
To window-dress the LCWRA cut, Labour’s float a “disability premium”—but only for those with lifelong conditions and no chance of improvement. Most will be excluded. There are no details. No consultation. And MPs are expected to vote. #DisabilityBenefits #WelfareNotWorkfare
Labour: We’re cutting £5bn from disabled people but it’s fine—we’re redeploying 8,000 work coaches.
Also Labour: We have an unprecedented shortage of work coaches. tinyurl.com/mpzsu8yb
#WelfareNotWorkfare #DisabilityBenefits
Also Labour: We have an unprecedented shortage of work coaches. tinyurl.com/mpzsu8yb
#WelfareNotWorkfare #DisabilityBenefits
Work coach shortage leads DWP to reduce support for Universal Credit claimants - NAO press release
DWP has reduced the level of support it offers to Universal Credit claimants due to a shortage of available work coaches at jobcentres.
tinyurl.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Labour: We’re cutting £5bn from disabled people but it’s fine—we’re redeploying 8,000 work coaches.
Also Labour: We have an unprecedented shortage of work coaches. tinyurl.com/mpzsu8yb
#WelfareNotWorkfare #DisabilityBenefits
Also Labour: We have an unprecedented shortage of work coaches. tinyurl.com/mpzsu8yb
#WelfareNotWorkfare #DisabilityBenefits
Headlines calling Britain the “sick man” of the developed world rely on selective data. Yes, disability claims have risen but not as much as claimed. UK’s trend reflects deep systemic issues not collapse. Spending is still within OECD norms. Stop leaking false propaganda, Labour. #WelfareNotWorkfare
March 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Headlines calling Britain the “sick man” of the developed world rely on selective data. Yes, disability claims have risen but not as much as claimed. UK’s trend reflects deep systemic issues not collapse. Spending is still within OECD norms. Stop leaking false propaganda, Labour. #WelfareNotWorkfare
Autonomist Marxism, disability and precarious work - thanks to Robert Chapman @drrobertchapman.bsky.social & RS21 @rs21.bsky.social for this interview/chat!
#Marxism #DisabilityRebellion #WelfareNotWorkfare #WelfareNotWarfare revsoc21.uk/2025/03/31/a...
#Marxism #DisabilityRebellion #WelfareNotWorkfare #WelfareNotWarfare revsoc21.uk/2025/03/31/a...
Autonomist Marxism, disability and precarious work
rs21 - revolutionary socialism in the 21st century
revsoc21.uk
April 1, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Autonomist Marxism, disability and precarious work - thanks to Robert Chapman @drrobertchapman.bsky.social & RS21 @rs21.bsky.social for this interview/chat!
#Marxism #DisabilityRebellion #WelfareNotWorkfare #WelfareNotWarfare revsoc21.uk/2025/03/31/a...
#Marxism #DisabilityRebellion #WelfareNotWorkfare #WelfareNotWarfare revsoc21.uk/2025/03/31/a...
Fixed up the wonky arm on this lady (mostly lol)!
Anyhow: WORK STILL DOESN'T EQUAL WORTH! 📢
#WelfareNotWorkfare #UKPolitics
Anyhow: WORK STILL DOESN'T EQUAL WORTH! 📢
#WelfareNotWorkfare #UKPolitics
April 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Fixed up the wonky arm on this lady (mostly lol)!
Anyhow: WORK STILL DOESN'T EQUAL WORTH! 📢
#WelfareNotWorkfare #UKPolitics
Anyhow: WORK STILL DOESN'T EQUAL WORTH! 📢
#WelfareNotWorkfare #UKPolitics
This Work Is Not Worth sticker is also up in my shop now!
abistevens.etsy.com/listing/4327...
#ArtShop #BSNM #WelfareNotWorkfare
abistevens.etsy.com/listing/4327...
#ArtShop #BSNM #WelfareNotWorkfare
July 2, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This Work Is Not Worth sticker is also up in my shop now!
abistevens.etsy.com/listing/4327...
#ArtShop #BSNM #WelfareNotWorkfare
abistevens.etsy.com/listing/4327...
#ArtShop #BSNM #WelfareNotWorkfare
If you weren’t an activist when this paper came out, now’s the time to read it. Friedli & Stearn’s work on psychocompulsion is essential to understanding what’s happening now. #WelfareNotWorkfare
🔗 mh.bmj.com/content/41/1...
🔗 mh.bmj.com/content/41/1...
Positive affect as coercive strategy: conditionality, activation and the role of psychology in UK government workfare programmes
Eligibility for social security benefits in many advanced economies is dependent on unemployed and underemployed people carrying out an expanding range of job search, training and work preparation act...
mh.bmj.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
If you weren’t an activist when this paper came out, now’s the time to read it. Friedli & Stearn’s work on psychocompulsion is essential to understanding what’s happening now. #WelfareNotWorkfare
🔗 mh.bmj.com/content/41/1...
🔗 mh.bmj.com/content/41/1...