Skip to main content
Home
Menu Close

Utility menu

  • Why join BASW
  • Events
  • Media Centre

Popular on BASW

Campaigning and influencing
World social work day
Social work stands against poverty
People with lived experience
Career stages
Cost of living crisis

Main navigation

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
    • Governance
    • Social work around the UK
    • Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
    • Research and knowledge
    • Standards
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
    • Groups and networks
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us

Open letter calls for austerity policies to be rolled back as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Austerity Action Group is calling for decade long austerity policies to be rolled back as part of the response to the Covid-19

The Austerity Action Group, consisting of social workers and people with direct experience of using services, has today written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for decade long austerity policies to be rolled back as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The group, which is funded by the Social Workers Union (SWU) and supported by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), has heard how older people and people with disabilities have felt increasingly marginalised and devalued in society by the pernicious impact of harsh benefit regimes and cuts to local services.

The open letter calls on the Chancellor to:

  1. Work with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for a long overdue settlement for the proper funding of social care.
  2. Conduct a rapid review of the tax and benefit system to ensure that it works fairly for all, addresses the issue of in-work poverty, reverses the growth of inequality and considers the introduction of a universal basic income.
  3. Ensure that the systematic destruction of local authority services is reversed by a funding settlement that recognises their crucial role as promoters of public health and well being with unique links to local communities, and as a bulwark against current and future threats.

Read the letter in full here.

Group member and service user Jane (not her real name) said:  "I think it is important to remember that those who not already living in a position of privilege are most likely to be struggling more than others when it comes to things like accessing basic necessities , staying mentally healthy and with social isolation."

She adds,  "When it comes to welfare, now more than ever we can see that bureaucratic, cruel, penalising and non-personalised systems such as Universal Credit are not working and will not work in the long term for the majority.”

Jon Dudley, joint signatory of the letter and a social worker for 40 years said:  “Sadly, the pandemic has highlighted what we already knew, austerity kills. We have a chance to review what is important to society and consider the things we really value. Social cohesion is vital in the campaign against the virus and we must make a reality of the notion of not leaving anyone behind, regardless of age, race or disability. The government must play it's part in this.”

John McGowan, General Secretary SWU added:  "Austerity, as a response to our last big national crisis (the banking crisis), failed to account for its effects on inequality and health and coronavirus is exposing the consequences of this. To face up to the coronavirus crisis, we need to learn from our mistakes and place inequality at the front and centre of our response’. Imposing another age of austerity after the coronavirus crisis would have a profound impact on societies most vulnerable people. The possible extent and impact on local authorities' social care budgets will be massive, but cutting spending - after a decade of cuts - would be hugely damaging. I fear that the option of cutting services would only add to existing pressures on the likes of social work services."

Gerry Nosowska, BASW Chair said: “For our country to thrive, we need to break people out of poverty. The pandemic has shown how connected we are, and what can be done with political will and public concern. Concerned citizens, compassionate leaders, caring public services, and thoughtful enterprises of all kinds can now build something better.”

The Austerity Action Group was established by SWU and BASW to continue the anti austerity work and in particular to give voice to those with lived experience of the impact of austerity and of using services diminishing or removed under financial pressure.

The group has found common cause with the People's Assembly Against Austerity, joining a number of their marches. It has also shown solidarity with Justice4Grenfell marches in London as well as campaigns to highlight the plight of rough sleepers and funeral poverty.

Article type
News
Topic
Ethics and human rights
Social justice, poverty and housing
Date
24 April 2020

Join us for amazing benefits

Become a member

Have a question?

Contact us

BASW: By your side, every step of the way

British Association of Social Workers is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England. 

Company number: 00982041

Wellesley House, 37 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, B2 5PP
+44 (0) 121 622 3911

Contact us

Follow us

Copyright ©2023 British Association of Social Workers | Site by Agile Collective | Privacy Policy

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
      • What social workers do
      • People with lived experience
      • Regulators & professional registration
      • World Social Work Day
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
      • Digital editions
      • Guidance for contributors
      • PSW articles
      • Advertising
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
      • Self-Employed Social Workers
        • Your tax affairs working through umbrella service companies
      • Agency and locum social work
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
      • BASW Council vacancies
      • Finance & Organisational Development Committee members
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
      • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Work
      • BASW in Westminster
      • General Election 2024
      • Relationship-based practice
      • Social Work Stands Against Poverty
      • This Week in Westminster | Blog Series
      • UK Covid Inquiry
      • Professional working conditions
      • Housing & Homelessness
    • Governance
      • BASW AGM and general meetings
        • 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
        • BASW GM 2025
        • Previous BASW AGMs
      • BASW Council
        • BASW Council biographies
        • BASW Council voting 2025
        • Vacancies on Council and committees 2025
      • Staff
      • Committees
      • BASW and SWU
      • Our history
      • 50 years
      • Special interest, thematic groups and experts
      • Nations
    • Social work around the UK
      • BASW Cymru
        • BASW Cymru Annual Conference 2024
        • Campaigns
      • BASW England
        • Campaigns
          • Homes Not Hospitals
          • Social Work in Disasters
          • 80-20 campaign
          • Review of Children’s Social Care
        • Meet the Team
          • BASW England Welcome Events
        • Our Services
          • Mentoring Service | BASW England
        • Social Work England
      • BASW Northern Ireland
        • About Us
        • Consultation responses
        • Find out about the BASW NI National Standing Committee
        • Political engagement
        • BASW NI & IASW's associate membership
        • BASW NI and Queen’s University Belfast launch affiliate membership
      • SASW (BASW in Scotland)
        • About Us
        • Mental Health Officer's Conference 2025
        • Our Work
          • Cross-Party Group on Social Work (Scotland)
          • Social Work Policy Panel
          • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
          • Supporting refugees
          • Campaigns
        • Coalitions & Partnerships
        • Get Involved
    • Awards
      • Amazing Social Workers
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5
      • The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
      • BASW UK Student Conference 2025
      • Social work conference programme
      • The UK Social Work Conference 2025
        • Tickets and booking
        • Programme
        • Online programme
        • Speakers
        • BASW UK conference poster exhibition
        • Exhibitors
        • Venue and travel
        • Programme
    • International Work
      • Israel and Palestine/Gaza conflict | BASW/SWU Information Hub
      • IFSW and other international social work organisations
      • Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth
      • Invasion of Ukraine | BASW Information Hub
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
      • General Taught Skills Programme
      • Student Learning
      • Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme
      • Practice Educator & Assessor Programme
      • Stepping Stones Programme
      • Expert Insight Series
      • Social Work in Disasters online training
        • Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (Online training)
        • Module 2: Law, Policy and Best Practice (Social Work In Disasters Training)
        • Module 3: Person-centred and research informed practice within a multi-agency context (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
        • Module 4: Responding, using theory and self-care (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
      • Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
      • About the PCF
      • Point of entry to training
      • Readiness for practice
      • End of first placement
      • End of last placement
      • Newly qualified social worker (ASYE level)
      • Social worker
      • Experienced social worker
      • Advanced social worker
      • Strategic social worker
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
      • Older people
        • Learning resources
        • Useful resources to support social work capabilities with older people
      • Autistic people
        • An introduction to the Capability Statement
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • Autistic adults toolkit
            • Autistic adults toolkit introduction
            • Feedback tool
            • Induction tool
            • Introduction to video: Sylvia Stanway - Autistic not broken
            • References
            • Reflective tool
            • The role of the social worker with autistic adults
            • Top tips
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
      • People with learning disabilities
        • Introduction
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • People with learning disabilities toolkit
            • People with learning disabilities toolkit introduction
            • Information sheet
            • Top tips
            • Induction tool
            • Reflective tool
            • References
            • Hair tool
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities for Social Work with Adults who have Learning Disability
    • Research and knowledge
      • Research journals
      • BASW bookshop
    • Standards
      • Code of Ethics
        • BASW Code of Ethics: Launch of 2021 refreshed version webinar
      • Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS)
      • Quality Assurance in Practice Learning (QAPL)
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Insurance Cover
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
      • Become a volunteer coach (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
      • Independent member benefits
      • BASW Independents Toolkit
        • Section 1: Foundations for Independent Social Work
        • Section 2: Doing Independent Social Work
        • Section 3: Running your business
        • Section 4: Decisions and transitions
      • BASW Independents directory
      • Independents digital toolkit
      • Social Work Employment Services (SWES)
    • Student Hub
      • BASW Student Ambassador Scheme
    • Financial support
      • International Development Fund (IDF)
    • Groups and networks
      • Special interest groups
        • Alcohol and other drugs Special Interest Group
        • BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG)
        • Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
        • Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR)
        • The Diaspora special interest group
      • Special Interest Group on Social Work & Ageing
      • Independents local networks
      • Local branches (England)
      • Groups and forums (Scotland)
      • Thematic groups (England)
        • Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS)
        • Children & Families Group
          • Children & Families Resources Library
          • Disabled Children's Sub-group
        • Criminal Justice Group
        • Emergency Duty Team Group
        • Mental Health Group
        • Professional Capabilities and Development Group
        • Social Work with Adults Group
        • Student & Newly Qualified Group
        • Social Workers in Health Group
      • Communities of Practice (Northern Ireland)
      • Networks (Wales)
    • Membership renewals
    • How to contact us
  • Why join BASW
    • Benefits of joining BASW
      • The BASW UK University Social Work Education Provider Affiliation Scheme
    • Membership Categories
      • Student member
      • Working (qualified less than 5 years) Membership
      • Working (qualified more than 5 years) Membership
      • Independent membership
      • Newly qualified social worker
      • Retired membership
      • Unemployed/unpaid membership
    • Membership FAQs
    • Membership renewals
    • Membership fees
  • Events
  • Media Centre
    • BASW in the media
    • BASW News and blogs