16 July 2014, 6-8pm | Attlee Room, Portcullis House, London, SW1A 2LW
Kate Green MP Shadow minister for disabled people Emily Holzhausen Director of policy and public affairs, Carers UK Sue Marsh Blogger, and member, Spartacus Network Tom Pollard Policy & campaigns manager (social inclusion & rights), Mind Claudia Wood Chief executive, Demos Chair: Alison Benjamin Editor, Society Guardian
The government’s changes to welfare have been subject to much public criticism and have been accompanied with an increase in the burden on the welfare bill. At the same time, the quality of life for many ill and disabled people has deteriorated, with the inevitable consequence of suffering which in the longer-term locks people out of work and out of hope. 40% of all social security cases that go to appeal are successful – with an increase in litigation and a growing financial burden on the state. The increase in out-of-work poverty has led to the government spending more, not less on social security – with decreasing government transparency around both the numbers of those on social security, and the costs of social security.
Our event: ‘Disabilty: Let’s Talk About the Barriers’ will bring together policy makers, disability campaigners, and activists to identify ways forward for campaigning on this issue.
We aim to influence the policy review team of the Labour Party on welfare – particularly in relation to personal independence payments (PIP) universal credit (UC), employment and support allowance (ESA), the work programme and the deep cuts to care funding in local authorities all over the country. We aim to raise awareness within the Fabian Society and the Labour Party of the scale of changes to the social security system and the possible future costs – both financial and political – as well as how they affect people from day to day. The event will also work to identify ways that we can build a ‘post-financial crisis’ consensus for a social security state in which the poorest and most vulnerable are protected and supported, rather than vilified or demonised.
To register to attend this event, please click here to email Susie Gilbert with your RSVP.