Universal Basic Income — solution or illusion?

Universal Basic Income is in the news again.  Compass has today published a plan by economists Stewart Lansley and Howard Reed to reverse welfare cuts and end poverty, endorsed by Baroness Ruth Lister.  We will need to look carefully at the proposals and try to understand them compared to the current welfare system and pay levels (we are claimants, … Read more

Fri 8 March: International Women’s Day/Strike

International Women’s Day/Strike DEFENDING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WORLD The Global Women’s Strike (GWS) is hosting this outdoor picket, delighted to be joined by Frack Free Knitting Nanas Lancashire, Stanstead 15, Mental Health Resistance Network, English Collective of Prostitutes, WinVisible, Women of Colour Global Womens Strike and more.  Info below, you are welcome to contact us on win@winvisible.org Weather … Read more

Universal Credit — WV evidence to Social Security Advisory Committee

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is a Committee of up to 15 people, some with a disability background.  It was set up by the government to advise on social security issues and to scrutinise benefit regulations.  They send a report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.  Their report must be presented … Read more

Legal challenge vs Universal Credit — judgement Thur 14 June

  This Thursday 14 June, at the High Court, Strand, London WC2A 2LL 9.30am: Support disabled claimants at the Joint vigil: Disabled People Against Cuts, Single Mothers’ Self-Defence, WinVisible, Rev Paul Nicolson (Taxpayers Against Poverty), Maggie Zolobajluk, and others. 10am: In court – the judge will announce his ruling.  Check court number here. On Thursday … Read more

Universal Credit disaster — disabled mums on Dispatches TV

In the programme, which also features the protests, disabled mums speak about their experiences of claiming Universal Credit.  Lorna Dunleavy was made suicidal by the in-built delays and underpayment.  Tracey lost her ESA severe disability premium after trying waged work for a time.  She was told to make a fresh claim for Universal Credit, despite … Read more

Universal Credit and domestic abuse — our evidence to MPs

We have just submitted WinVisible’s evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee of MPs on Universal Credit (UC) and domestic abuse, with input from Women Against Rape and Legal Action for Women.  The committee is scrutinising UC overall. They are now looking at how the single monthly payment of UC to the head of household, … Read more

8 March: Disabled mums speak out at Family Courts on Trial

Plain text version below image Disabled mums will be speaking out against discrimination and joining forces with other mums.  The weather will be a sweltering 9 degrees! Read Legal Action for Women’s dossier of mothers’ experiences of Social Services and the family courts.  We co-wrote the chapter on disability discrimination against mothers and children, chapter … Read more

Benefit tests — evidence to MPs

We gathered our experiences of the benefit assessments, to send to the all-party Work and Pensions Select Committee of MPs.  They are looking into assessments because so many people who are refused are winning their case at appeal. We say:  Assessments for ESA and PIP are set up to deny claimants the disability benefits they need … Read more

“Cookie rights” — Caxton Youth Organisation young women’s group

  We went to meet the young women’s group at Caxton Youth Organisation in Westminster, who talked about the verbal abuse and discrimination they get, and their hopes and wishes.  Here’s what they wrote about our visit on 18 July 2017: COOKIE RIGHTS Written by Girls and Young women from Caxton Youth Organisation Why Cookie … Read more