Excellent thread on what should guide any Jobcentre engagement with disabled claimants (many of these principles should be standard across the whole UC system - not just for those currently exempt from conditionality).
Unemployment Insurance is a new benefit merging new style JSA and ESA. Much to commend eg higher payments compared to JSA.
But for disabled people, this could end long-term support without even offering the same short-term gain. While other disability benefits are cut too.
Not a great start!
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
Jagna Olejniczak
Craig Berry
Cutting the UC health element is unlikely to incentivise disabled people to work.
But, there are other ways the government could improve work incentives within the benefits system and reduce barriers to work. My colleague @jagnaolejniczak.bsky.social has written a great report on that here:
Craig Berry
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...
Cuts to disability benefits weren’t totally averted!
🚨New report out today explaining why the Universal Credit Bill will harm disabled people and exploring who will be impacted by the cuts.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
DWP plans to introduce a ‘support conversation’ for disabled claimants who don’t currently meet a work coach. My new paper explores how this conversation can be done effectively and avoid causing harm 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
Access to Work isn’t meeting its BIG potential! 🧵
New report out now: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
The government argues that cutting UC health will incentivise people to work. But this unlikely...
♿ People on UC health have work-limiting conditions
🏢 There are limited accessible jobs
🎫 Being on UC health gives access to one of the most work-supporting benefits (the work allowance)
The government wants to enhance contributory unemployment benefits - we’re good with that
Contribution-based benefits can help the legitimacy of the welfare state. There is a catch though…
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
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
