When the "haves" rip off the "have-nots".
Homelessness is a collective failure for all of us as society. And private property is not the prize for talent and effort. It’s the byproduct of public policies, the same policies that cause homelessness.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Indeed - met one member of @grippuk.bsky.social last week who had been sent a letter by mistake that included the cost of the hotel she was housed in when she was made homeless. £650 per week!!
✂️ The UK’s social security system doesn’t just fail people — it breaches basic human rights.
A new report shows benefits are way below international standards. Poverty isn’t a policy accident; it’s a political choice. @koldocasla.bsky.social
theconversation.com/the-uks-soci...
First stop @grainnemcmahon.bsky.social to think about how we capture our learning and impact...
Photo of peice of paper with lots of notes written in various angles, in blue qnd black ink..some crossed out, others circled. It looks a mess!
Armed with 30+ questions the whole GRIPP gang have been developing over the last month...
...How do we engage our communities with the #CESCR2025 concluding observations about #Poverty in UK?...How can we be sustainable?...How do we continue to build relationships based on trust and solidarity?...
Visiting @raparuk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social and meeting with Learnt experience partners too @amnestyuk.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social Bevan Foundation
A suitcase, with scarf and rucksack piled on top. On sunny train station platform alone. It looks heavy!
Lugging more flipcharts and post-its than flannels and pants!
Photo of mid aged white women, with short brown hair, wearing sunglasses and stripey top. Against sunny blue sky. Under a train station sign that reads "Bushey"
So what do you do when 32 people across the UK want to be part of deciding the next steps for GRIPP and there's no budget for a residential?
Well we send our Cocktail Stick on tour!
Starting today from Bushey to Manchester, then onto Stockton on Tees and Glasgow and then London next week...
PRESS RELEASE from @raparuk.bsky.social: St Peter's Square homeless camp, evicted 26/02, moves to Albert Square. RAPAR working with camp residents asks: "Why is MCR City Council refusing to find housing for homeless people before turning them out of their tents...?"
www.rapar.co.uk/press-releas...
In front of UN CESCR, last week the UK Gov Admitted Failure in the Handling of the Separation of Children from Families in Poverty. 🇬🇧 An issue raised by Essex HR Centre @universityofessex.bsky.social with @grippuk.bsky.social & @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social hrcessex.wordpress.com/2025/02/19/t...
We are in Geneva at the United Nations and our message is clear. #CESCR2025
We are in Geneva at the UN to highlight the urgent state of everyday rights in the UK – it’s clear that the system is broken.
With 30+ orgs, we gave evidence to @justfairuk.bsky.social's submission. Now, we need action to build a fairer UK. #CESCR2025
gypsy-traveller.org/news/joint-s... (1/5)
Amanda and Tracey didn't nab any breakfast buffet, but they're happy and ready to go!!
Ready and waiting for the meeting between NGOs and #OHCHR organised by @hrw.org
No time for lunch so eating left over breakfast from the hotel!!
#CESCR2025
@thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @atd4thworld.bsky.social
Closing remarks from rapateur of #CESCR2025 raises his concerns about the reality of poverty in the UK that he has heard first hand from those with lived experience of such violations. Also thanking contribution of those who have travelled to Geneva & the valuable evidence that they have provided
Great last question from Committee Member Ms Lee in #CESCR2025 challenging the Govt to share how it will improve social security and not just see it as a tool to force people to work but as a system that should treat all recipients with dignity and respect
Govt talk of need to "protect women" when discussing trans community access to sport is just another example of the tactic that the powers that be use to distract and divide communities to avoid accountability & justice for all. We talk of this tactic in our submission gripp.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Handwritten poem, on lined notebook with pink edges. It reads: Blah Blah Blah All talk mouths move repeat repeat repear excuse their unwillingness to comply to international law using devolution as an excuse quoting countries not even mentioned nothing to see here nothing new heard same old same old Julie Easley 14/02/2025 Geneva
Poem by @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social sums up how we feel about UK Government's response @ #CESCR2025 right now
@thriveteesside.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @amnestyuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
Chair of #CESCR2025 questioning UK report that put such emphasis on future plans, future reviews with little about actual implementation or change
We would ask, if the Govt is going to be develop all of these future plans, how are will people living in poverty be involved in developing these plans?
Govt response only talk of 'adults' and failed to acknowledge the experiences of trans children in the UK. The plans for another 'review' is a distraction when the UK isn't yet following international guidance for gender based health care.
The inadequate response given around housing benefit being frozen since 2013, stating that 'local authority Housing Allowance increased in 2024 and will remain at thus rate in 2025.
There was absolutely no acknowledgement of people having to top up rent payments year on year from limited budget
We welcome this improvement but it neglects so much...It fails to appreciate the fact that a lot of debt, such as council tax arrears and rent is subject to harsh practices and steep costs - such as bailiffs and court summons. This debt is not primarily repaid through UC...
DWP responses in #CESCR2025 included accepting that the child poverty strategy due to be published in Spring isnt enough to help people now. Emphasis was put on the govt fair repayment scheme which will limit repayment to 15% for those on UC.
We welcome the #CESCR2025 questioning the UK Government about delays Trans community are facing in accessing healthcare
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
Good to hear the #CESCR2025 committee asking why a country like the UK with its resources and capacity has such issues related to #foodpoverty leading to malnutrition and related disease.
This is the 1st time, as far as I can gather from my own research, that the CESCR has raised the issue of children in care from families in poverty in relation to any country. The UK Gov admitted failure, and that it has to change. It's something to hold them to account in the future. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧
But we welcome the example from Northern Ireland of the social supermarkets which have wrap around support (debt advice, welfare support, connections, vols opps ...) to address food insecurity
Definitely something we want to find out more about
Talk of increase in funding through household support fund is inadequate. Our understanding is this increase is not relative to rising costs & needs in local authority areas. The strict criteria to access the fund, esp around evidencing vulnerability prevents many low income households accessing it
The Government just responded to a CESCR question about refugees and asylum seekers hosted by the Home Office in hotels.
They forgot to mention that nearly 30% of their ODA budget is spent on this, neither overseas, nor development.
#CESCR2025 🇬🇧
Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri....
