Welfare safety net: evidence on debt, hunger and homelessness
13 February 2019
Following yesterday's admission from Government of the link between Universal Credit and increasing food bank use, we'll question a broad group of charity and public sector on their responses to the “unholy trinity” - debt, hunger and homelessness – that we and others have been linking to the UK's huge programme of welfare reform over the last decade.
First up, three leading charities on the front line of those three growing and compounded problems set the scene, then we will hear from two local councils trying to address these problems on the ground in their areas: Newcastle City Council has an innovative approach, responding to local welfare needs and demands though the framework of a public “socioeconomic duty”. The final panel turns to the specific issues faced by women, disabled people and older people in the mass changes to our benefits systems.
Witnesses
Wednesday 13 February, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster
At 9.30am
- Peter Tutton, Head of Policy, StepChange Debt Charity
- Sumi Rabindrakumar, Head of Policy and Research, The Trussell Trust
- Deborah Garvie, Policy Manager, Shelter
- Sheila McKandie, Benefits and Welfare Manager, Highland Council
- Veronica Dunn, Cabinet member for Resources, Newcastle City Council
- Michael Griffin, Senior Policy and Campaign Adviser, Parkinson's UK
- Sally West, Policy Manager, Income and Poverty, Age UK
- Elliot Kent, Member, National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers
- Fran Bennett, Member, Policy Advisory Group, UK Women's Budget Group
Further information
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