Craig Berry
@craigpberry.bsky.social
Welfare policy for a charity (he/him). Additionally: Associate at @bennettinstitute.bsky.social | Author of The Political Economy Blog: https://craigberry.substack.com
Reposted by Craig Berry
Growth won’t save Starmer. It’s a metric, not a mission. What if the real mission was peace — at home (less division, stronger communities) and abroad (diplomacy, democracy, humanitarian leadership)? Peace gives politics direction. Growth doesn’t.
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Growth Is Not a Mission — But Peace Could Be
Can Starmer save himself, and his government, by rethinking his mission?
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Growth won’t save Starmer. It’s a metric, not a mission. What if the real mission was peace — at home (less division, stronger communities) and abroad (diplomacy, democracy, humanitarian leadership)? Peace gives politics direction. Growth doesn’t.
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Read on: open.substack.com/pub/rainerka...
Reposted by Craig Berry
This thread collating the Sheffield Tribune’s brilliant investigation into the spivvy lawyer threatening Yorkshire leaseholders into handing over cash is worth reading before the story goes national.
Excellent and courageous investigative journalism.
The fact that it is (apparently) legal to do this to people is utterly disgusting.
The fact that it is (apparently) legal to do this to people is utterly disgusting.
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
November 18, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This thread collating the Sheffield Tribune’s brilliant investigation into the spivvy lawyer threatening Yorkshire leaseholders into handing over cash is worth reading before the story goes national.
Reposted by Craig Berry
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/sometimes-it... I wrote last week about two villains and one hero in the battle between truth and lies. Well here’s another hero - the Sheffield Tribune, one of the Mill stable of independent news sites, had the courage to publish an important story despite legal threats..
Sometimes it’s worth the risk
“We will definitely bring proceedings for Defamation and Malicious Falsehood if you publish such complete and malicious lies.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/sometimes-it... I wrote last week about two villains and one hero in the battle between truth and lies. Well here’s another hero - the Sheffield Tribune, one of the Mill stable of independent news sites, had the courage to publish an important story despite legal threats..
Reposted by Craig Berry
Extraordinary story from @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social: A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Extraordinary story from @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social: A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
One woman: “It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car...He has just wiped me out.”
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Reposted by Craig Berry
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
As the #AutumnBudget approaches, we're calling on the Chancellor to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to support people on low incomes as private rents continue to soar.
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
Reposted by Craig Berry
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Check out Sarah's thread on LHA and the autumn budget 👇
More from @citizensadvice.bsky.social on Local Housing Allowance today...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
assets.ctfassets.net
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
More from @citizensadvice.bsky.social on Local Housing Allowance today...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
Here's our pre-budget briefing by the brilliant @DrSarahHadfield.bsky.social
assets.ctfassets.net/mfz4nbgura3g...
Reposted by Craig Berry
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
The government must cancel plans to cut disability benefits for young people
This blog has been co-written by Maddy Rose, Senior Policy Researcher, and Victoria Anns, Policy Researcher.
medium.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Spot on from Hannah Aldridge on Local Housing Allowance www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
LHA *desperately* needs to be uprated this year. But we also need to change how this decision is made
LHA *desperately* needs to be uprated this year. But we also need to change how this decision is made
The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook Q4 2025 • Resolution Foundation
In 2012, Local Housing Allowance (LHA) levels were linked to the 30th percentile of local rents and automatically revised to reflect market changes. However, since the systematic link with market rent...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Spot on from Hannah Aldridge on Local Housing Allowance www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
LHA *desperately* needs to be uprated this year. But we also need to change how this decision is made
LHA *desperately* needs to be uprated this year. But we also need to change how this decision is made
Reposted by Craig Berry
This is such a good corrective by @chrisgiles.ft.com to the "working-age welfare spending is exploding/out-of-control" narrative that more & more people seem to see as an incontrovertible fact www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This is such a good corrective by @chrisgiles.ft.com to the "working-age welfare spending is exploding/out-of-control" narrative that more & more people seem to see as an incontrovertible fact www.ft.com/content/ee67...
It's important to get the new support conversation for disabled people right...
@kslharrison.bsky.social shows the way, in a new paper for @citizensadvice.bsky.social👇
@kslharrison.bsky.social shows the way, in a new paper for @citizensadvice.bsky.social👇
DWP plans to introduce a ‘support conversation’ for disabled claimants who don’t currently meet a work coach. My new paper explores how this conversation can be done effectively and avoid causing harm 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
A fresh start: transforming engagement with disabled benefits claimants through a case worker model
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM
It's important to get the new support conversation for disabled people right...
@kslharrison.bsky.social shows the way, in a new paper for @citizensadvice.bsky.social👇
@kslharrison.bsky.social shows the way, in a new paper for @citizensadvice.bsky.social👇
Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo
Excellent piece by @scollerton.bsky.social
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capabil...
Excellent piece by @scollerton.bsky.social
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capabil...
Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo
Disabled people can get extra support under Universal Credit (UC) if they’re found eligible after a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). But…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo
Excellent piece by @scollerton.bsky.social
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capabil...
Excellent piece by @scollerton.bsky.social
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/work-capabil...
Reposted by Craig Berry
📢No more waiting on the 5 week wait, says my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague @julia-rt.bsky.social
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
No more waiting on the 5 week wait
This autumn, the government has the chance to take action on one of Universal Credit’s longest-standing problems: “the 5 week wait”.
medium.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
📢No more waiting on the 5 week wait, says my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague @julia-rt.bsky.social
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
Reposted by Craig Berry
⚠️ Mandatory reconsideration needs reconsidering ⚠️
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Reconsidering Mandatory Reconsideration: Is the system fit for purpose?
Mandatory reconsideration (MR) is a process that allows benefit claimants to request a review of a decision about their benefits claim. MR…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
⚠️ Mandatory reconsideration needs reconsidering ⚠️
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
📢No more waiting on the 5 week wait, says my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague @julia-rt.bsky.social
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
No more waiting on the 5 week wait
This autumn, the government has the chance to take action on one of Universal Credit’s longest-standing problems: “the 5 week wait”.
medium.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
📢No more waiting on the 5 week wait, says my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague @julia-rt.bsky.social
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
The 5 week wait for a first UC payment means families end up in debt to DWP -leading to deductions from future payments that cause real hardship
This needs to change medium.com/citizens-adv...
⚠️ Mandatory reconsideration needs reconsidering ⚠️
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Reconsidering Mandatory Reconsideration: Is the system fit for purpose?
Mandatory reconsideration (MR) is a process that allows benefit claimants to request a review of a decision about their benefits claim. MR…
wearecitizensadvice.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
⚠️ Mandatory reconsideration needs reconsidering ⚠️
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
Waiting times for benefits appeals have increased significantly - the system isn't fit for purpose
Excellent analysis by my @citizensadvice.bsky.social colleague Buki Akinosho wearecitizensadvice.org.uk/reconsiderin...
UK poverty crisis as 500,000 children in homes trapped in benefit debt cycle - @julia-rt.bsky.social's research on Universal Credit deductions covered in the Independent
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
UK poverty crisis as 500,000 children in homes trapped in benefit debt cycle
Exclusive: Tens of thousands of families are forced to take out loans to cover the five-week wait until their first Universal Credit payment – but many struggle to pay it back
www.independent.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
UK poverty crisis as 500,000 children in homes trapped in benefit debt cycle - @julia-rt.bsky.social's research on Universal Credit deductions covered in the Independent
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Craig Berry
ICYMI - the public don't support cutting Universal Credit or freezing Local Housing Allowance 🧵
October 2, 2025 at 11:39 AM
ICYMI - the public don't support cutting Universal Credit or freezing Local Housing Allowance 🧵
Reposted by Craig Berry
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
September 26, 2025 at 7:13 AM
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
ICYMI - the public don't support cutting Universal Credit or freezing Local Housing Allowance 🧵
October 2, 2025 at 11:39 AM
ICYMI - the public don't support cutting Universal Credit or freezing Local Housing Allowance 🧵
Reposted by Craig Berry
Some fantastic insights and policy ideas in @beccastacey.bsky.social's new report. We can't simply will more disabled people into work, there needs to be greater support - and the benefits system might be going in the wrong direction 👇
The govt wants to get more disabled people into work, but isn't making full use of the tools at its disposal
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
In my new report for @citizensadvice.bsky.social I've looked at how our social security system could do more to make sure that when disabled people want to work, work really does pay /1
September 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Some fantastic insights and policy ideas in @beccastacey.bsky.social's new report. We can't simply will more disabled people into work, there needs to be greater support - and the benefits system might be going in the wrong direction 👇
Reposted by Craig Berry
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
September 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
September 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
Reposted by Craig Berry
Great to see @beccastacey.bsky.social's research covered here by @cjayanetti.bsky.social in the @bigissue.com
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
DWP plans will see more than 50,000 disabled people lose job support
DWP plans mean large numbers of disabled people will no longer qualify for a work allowance to support people looking for employment.
www.bigissue.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Great to see @beccastacey.bsky.social's research covered here by @cjayanetti.bsky.social in the @bigissue.com
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...