I have never cried at a conference before, but I was reduced to tears at Bradford’s conference on Large families, Welfare reform and Poverty as were many in the room. The keynote speakers were members of a new Bradford group called Hope Rising who shared devastating accounts of the impacts of welfare reforms, in particular the recently lowered Benefit Cap, on themselves and their friends. The speakers were extremely brave and their testimonies were delivered through their own tears. They told us exactly what it is like to not have enough money to buy food for your children or to pay your rent. For your children to be put in ‘isolation’ at school to punish them for not having the required school uniform that you simply could not afford. To have your sickness benefits stopped, and be found ‘fit for work’ in spite of your debilitating and well-evidenced health condition.
As a front-line advice worker, I am used to hearing about welfare reforms. Attendees included people like me; council staff and other professionals in administrative and helping roles. So, why was it so shocking and emotional to hear what the members of Hope Rising had to say?
Because it was so different. Usually, when interviewing people, we, the professionals, the ‘experts’ control the dialogue in order to find out in limited time the key information we need to look for practical solutions and give whatever support we are able to offer. At this conference, we had to listen to people tell their stories in their own way and on their own terms. This was very powerful. It was also very effective: a councillor with a particular brief for anti-poverty within the district was very moved and said she would take her new understanding of the situation back to work.
However, the room still grasped for solutions to help. Why don’t you apply for Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), suggested a member of the audience, to cover your rent that is no longer covered by Housing Benefit you have been Benefit Capped. DHP is a cash-limited fund administered by councils to ameliorate the effects of several welfare reforms which cut people’s housing benefit, including the Bedroom Tax. There is insufficient money in the pot to help everyone affected, and councils make it very clear that DHP is a short-term measure for three to six months. There is no guarantee of being awarded DHP and the application process involves claimants explaining what they are doing to improve their financial situation and downwardly adjust their spending. One of the speakers from Hope Rising responded vehemently that it was extremely difficult to apply for and to gather the receipts required by the Council in order to scrutinise your spending patterns. This group member’s experiences are very similar to a process used by a Council where I work, where the application process creates administrative barrier clearly designed to deter people from applying.
Another solution proposed from the floor by people with experience of working in schools was that the speakers should ask their schools to give them the Pupil Premium
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