BASW UK writes to Prime Minister ahead of Autumn Statement

BASW urges PM to put people first and give people need the financial security they need.

BASW UK’s Chief Executive Dr Ruth Allen, and Chair Julia Ross, have today (Tuesday 15 November) written to the Prime Minister ahead of the Autumn Statement on Thursday.

In the letter, BASW urged the Prime Minister to protect the most disadvantaged people from worsening poverty. Increasing benefits in line with inflation – as well as lifting or removing the benefit cap – has been identified by anti-poverty organisations as having the most impact in supporting people who are struggling to get by. Rishi Sunak committed to lifting benefits with inflation when he was Chancellor, but we are yet to see if he will stand by this commitment now that he’s Prime Minister.

Also in the letter, Ruth and Julia wrote:

“We face many economic and social challenges. The heaviest burden of this cannot fall on the most impoverished. We are asking that you do all in your power to ensure this doesn’t happen. Government can protect individuals and families from deepening poverty that leads to insecure and unsuitable housing, poor access to food, stress, conflict and underachievement of children in school. Government can protect people with disabilities, mental health and related problems which may make it difficult or impossible for them to be part of the workforce.

In addition to uprating benefits and the benefit cap, BASW is also calling for a freeze on evictions and the removal of the two child cap. Read the full letter here.

BASW also shared a copy of the letter with Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. BASW will work with politicians from all parties to deliver positive outcomes for social work.

Read the full letter below:

The British Association of Social Workers supports social workers so they can deliver the best services to children, families and adults of all ages, across all areas of social, disability and health need. 

Increasingly, social workers in the UK are working exclusively with people whose problems are rooted in or exacerbated by worsening poverty and its consequences – poor housing, nutrition, mental and physical health, social exclusion and downward spirals of experiences that blight the potential of adults and children. 

This includes in-work poverty and unfeasibly low and often punitive disability benefits. 

Civilised and wealthy countries must have a fair social protection system. This is not just a moral obligation, important though that is. Increase poverty leads to social and health crises, more demand on social work services and lasting harm to children and families. 

Preventing or relieving poverty can prevent expensive social, health and other crises. It promotes the social cohesion, community safety and hope upon which our success as a society and economy depends. We face many economic and social challenges. The heaviest burden of this cannot fall on the most impoverished. 

We are asking that you do all in your power to ensure this doesn’t happen. 

Government can protect individuals and families from deepening poverty that leads to insecure and unsuitable housing, poor access to food, stress, conflict and underachievement of children in school. Government can protect people with disabilities, mental health and related problems which may make it difficult or impossible for them to be part of the workforce. 

There is strong public opinion in favour of high-quality welfare and public services. No one knows whether they may need support in old age or illness or have a child needing special support. No one know whether they will need a period in life with no or less paid employment. We have identified three actions that the UK Government can take to help protect some of the most disadvantaged from worsening poverty. 

1. Increase benefits and the benefit cap in line with inflation When you were Chancellor, you committed to uprating benefits in line with inflation. We urge you to honour this commitment and uprate benefits by the current inflation rate of 10.1%. The benefit cap must be lifted at the same rate. 

2. Introduce a freeze on evictions Reducing income and increasing demands from landlords will translate into more evictions and more families becoming homeless. This cannot be allowed to happen and would cause untold damage to adults and children, placing many at safeguarding risk and lead to even more demand on social care and other services. 

3. Remove the two-child cap At present, relevant benefits are only paid for the first two children. This impacts on many families but disproportionally impacts on those ethnic groups who have larger families. It also results in inhumane means testing, for example, the rape clause. Investing in families and people through uprating benefits and ensuring financial support will cost the exchequer less in the long-term, and it also ensures that there is not a human cost to the poverty crisis this country is currently experiencing. And, of course, this is money that flows out directly back into the economy sustaining businesses and livelihoods. 

We, on behalf of the 22,000 members of the British Association of Social Workers, urge you to put people first and give people need the financial security they need. We are fearful that without investment in benefits, it will be those on the lowest incomes paying the price.