Lucy Bannister
@lucybannister.bsky.social
Interim Head of Policy & Influencing at Turn2Us. Previously Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Living Wage Foundation and local government. Trustee Sufra NW London.
Pinned
Lucy Bannister
@lucybannister.bsky.social
· May 20
We need to change the way we talk about benefits
Turn2Us is publishing two guides to help politicians and journalists improve how they talk about the benefits system and social security.
www.bigissue.com
Most of us will need support from our social security system at some point in our lives. But the way politicians and the media talk about it makes people feel 'worthless'.
We can all make sure our language doesn’t contribute to harmful stigma. Read my piece in the @bigissue.com today:
We can all make sure our language doesn’t contribute to harmful stigma. Read my piece in the @bigissue.com today:
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Joined friends in the sector at @turn2us.org.uk parliamentary reception. Powerful speeches @lucybannister.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, @andrewwesternmp.bsky.social @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social, @terryjermymp.bsky.social. Clear tackling stigma in the social security system is essential
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Joined friends in the sector at @turn2us.org.uk parliamentary reception. Powerful speeches @lucybannister.bsky.social, @thomasjlawson.bsky.social, @andrewwesternmp.bsky.social @stevedarlingmp.bsky.social, @terryjermymp.bsky.social. Clear tackling stigma in the social security system is essential
In the @bigissue.com I argue that a social security system designed around suspicion of claimants is ineffective & inefficient.
"By centring its reforms around building trust and treating people with dignity and respect, the government has an opportunity to build a system we can all be proud of."
"By centring its reforms around building trust and treating people with dignity and respect, the government has an opportunity to build a system we can all be proud of."
How trust could transform Britain's broken benefits system
Lucy Bannister from Turn2us explains why trust, confidence and respect will be critical for the DWP’s goals in reforming benefits.
www.bigissue.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:40 AM
In the @bigissue.com I argue that a social security system designed around suspicion of claimants is ineffective & inefficient.
"By centring its reforms around building trust and treating people with dignity and respect, the government has an opportunity to build a system we can all be proud of."
"By centring its reforms around building trust and treating people with dignity and respect, the government has an opportunity to build a system we can all be proud of."
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Great to be at powerful @turn2us.org.uk report launch in Parliament today, alongside @jrf-uk.bsky.social colleagues! Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need support, and treat people with compassion, dignity and respect #StopTheStigma
October 30, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Great to be at powerful @turn2us.org.uk report launch in Parliament today, alongside @jrf-uk.bsky.social colleagues! Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need support, and treat people with compassion, dignity and respect #StopTheStigma
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
We’re excited to keep working with our supporters, alongside MPs and the government to create a social security system we can all be proud of. Together we can #StoptheStigma and #FixtheSystem
@terryjermymp.bsky.social
@terryjermymp.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We’re excited to keep working with our supporters, alongside MPs and the government to create a social security system we can all be proud of. Together we can #StoptheStigma and #FixtheSystem
@terryjermymp.bsky.social
@terryjermymp.bsky.social
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
We’re so grateful to everyone who came to our campaign launch this morning. It was encouraging to see so many showing support for a social security system that treats everyone with dignity and respect.
Find the report on our website: www.turn2us.org.uk/stop-the-sti...
@stevedarlingmp.bsky.social
Find the report on our website: www.turn2us.org.uk/stop-the-sti...
@stevedarlingmp.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We’re so grateful to everyone who came to our campaign launch this morning. It was encouraging to see so many showing support for a social security system that treats everyone with dignity and respect.
Find the report on our website: www.turn2us.org.uk/stop-the-sti...
@stevedarlingmp.bsky.social
Find the report on our website: www.turn2us.org.uk/stop-the-sti...
@stevedarlingmp.bsky.social
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Great to represent @ifanuk.bsky.social in Parliament this morning at the launch of @turn2us.org.uk new campaign.
A brilliant event for a campaign that is desperately needed.
Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
#stopthestigma #fixthesystem
A brilliant event for a campaign that is desperately needed.
Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
#stopthestigma #fixthesystem
October 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Great to represent @ifanuk.bsky.social in Parliament this morning at the launch of @turn2us.org.uk new campaign.
A brilliant event for a campaign that is desperately needed.
Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
#stopthestigma #fixthesystem
A brilliant event for a campaign that is desperately needed.
Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
#stopthestigma #fixthesystem
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
October 30, 2025 at 7:46 AM
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
I'm getting really really fed up at constant reassertion that welfare spending is "out of control" when it is the same as the average for the past few decades.
One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.
One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.
September 30, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I'm getting really really fed up at constant reassertion that welfare spending is "out of control" when it is the same as the average for the past few decades.
One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.
One reason disability benefit costs have risen is because core support has fallen.
Packed event at Labour Party Conference, where we put our findings on the impact of stigma to the Minister for Social Security & Disability.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
Last night along with @thefabians.bsky.social we hosted our panel event on stigma.
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
September 29, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Packed event at Labour Party Conference, where we put our findings on the impact of stigma to the Minister for Social Security & Disability.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
Dehumanising processes are creating a culture of fear. If the government wants more effective employment support, they need to first rebuild trust in DWP.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Last night along with @thefabians.bsky.social we hosted our panel event on stigma.
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
September 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Last night along with @thefabians.bsky.social we hosted our panel event on stigma.
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
It was great to hear the Minister, and so many of the audience questions emphasise that humanising the system is critical to any reform. Too often people are met with suspicion and control instead of support. #Lab25
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
I’m Sam the Policy & PA officer at Turn2us and I’ll be doing a takeover of our BlueSky account for #Lab25
We’re excited to be heading to Liverpool. Join us later today for our panel event with @thefabians.bsky.social
7PM at The Bluecoat: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
We’re excited to be heading to Liverpool. Join us later today for our panel event with @thefabians.bsky.social
7PM at The Bluecoat: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
September 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I’m Sam the Policy & PA officer at Turn2us and I’ll be doing a takeover of our BlueSky account for #Lab25
We’re excited to be heading to Liverpool. Join us later today for our panel event with @thefabians.bsky.social
7PM at The Bluecoat: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
We’re excited to be heading to Liverpool. Join us later today for our panel event with @thefabians.bsky.social
7PM at The Bluecoat: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
This Sunday at the Labour Party Conference, we will put our latest research findings and recommendations to Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability.
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This Sunday at the Labour Party Conference, we will put our latest research findings and recommendations to Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability.
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
Join us for a discussion with our panelists Professor Sara Davies, Katherine Sangster and @thomasjlawson.bsky.social
This week @turn2us.org.uk released new research with Uni of Bristol, demonstrating how stigma towards claimants has broken our social security system.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
‘The benefits system is set up to make you fail – it’s devastating’
More than half of all benefit claimants (51 per cent) say that claiming has damaged their mental health, research from welfare charity Turn2Us reveals
www.independent.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
This week @turn2us.org.uk released new research with Uni of Bristol, demonstrating how stigma towards claimants has broken our social security system.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
Alex's story brings to life how damaging and nonsensical it is to treat people with such suspicion and contempt. This isn't working.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Turn2us will be at the Labour Party Conference with the @thefabians.bsky.social, where we will put these findings to the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms.
Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Social Insecurity | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
fabians.org.uk
September 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Turn2us will be at the Labour Party Conference with the @thefabians.bsky.social, where we will put these findings to the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms.
Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Join us on the day at Bluecoats at 7pm, Sunday 28th Sept: fabians.org.uk/social-insec...
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
We have today published new research with the @bristoluni.bsky.social which demonstrates the extent to which stigma has been embedded into the design of our social security system: bit.ly/47XWX5e
September 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We have today published new research with the @bristoluni.bsky.social which demonstrates the extent to which stigma has been embedded into the design of our social security system: bit.ly/47XWX5e
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
September 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Gross snobbery, but what shines through is a system broken by a focus on control rather than support.
When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.
Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...
When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.
Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...
I was on £100k. Now I’m on my first trip to the job centre at 48
Three months ago Frank Gibson was a high earner in the tech industry. Now he’s lost his job and his savings have run out. Can a twentysomething with long pink nails and fake lashes help him find work?
www.thetimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Gross snobbery, but what shines through is a system broken by a focus on control rather than support.
When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.
Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...
When we're going through the demoralising search for a new job, the last thing we need is our time wasted or to be treated like a criminal.
Look out for new @turn2us.org.uk research next week...
A few days left to apply for our new Social Change Manager role at @turn2us.org.uk - driving forward our systemic change ambition to reduce the stigma associated with needing financial support.
If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...
If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...
Social Change Manager
Join Turn2us as a Social Change Manager
www.turn2us.org.uk
September 18, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A few days left to apply for our new Social Change Manager role at @turn2us.org.uk - driving forward our systemic change ambition to reduce the stigma associated with needing financial support.
If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...
If you're an inspiring, action-focused changemaker - please apply!
www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/job...
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
✊ Change happens when we stand together to demand it. Join our free Get Organised meetings for #ScotlandDemandsBetter!
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/
July 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM
✊ Change happens when we stand together to demand it. Join our free Get Organised meetings for #ScotlandDemandsBetter!
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/
www.povertyalliance.org/events-page/
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Tomorrow MPs will vote again on plans to cut over £200 a month from people too ill to work.
Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...
Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...
July 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Tomorrow MPs will vote again on plans to cut over £200 a month from people too ill to work.
Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...
Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it.
Now is your last chance to ask your MP to stop the cuts: act.turn2us.org.uk/page/173933/...
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit
July 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Section 2 of the Bill still halves the LCWRA (‘health’) element of universal credit
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
Calling economists, analysts & researchers!
If you have experience in Excel spreadsheet creation or data analysis, these charities could use your help:
📈 Map data & make an impact with Hackney Foodbank
🔢 Help Leukaemia Care understand its reach
Find out more here 👇
pbe.co.uk/get-involved...
If you have experience in Excel spreadsheet creation or data analysis, these charities could use your help:
📈 Map data & make an impact with Hackney Foodbank
🔢 Help Leukaemia Care understand its reach
Find out more here 👇
pbe.co.uk/get-involved...
Volunteer opportunities | PBE
Current volunteer opportunities
pbe.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Calling economists, analysts & researchers!
If you have experience in Excel spreadsheet creation or data analysis, these charities could use your help:
📈 Map data & make an impact with Hackney Foodbank
🔢 Help Leukaemia Care understand its reach
Find out more here 👇
pbe.co.uk/get-involved...
If you have experience in Excel spreadsheet creation or data analysis, these charities could use your help:
📈 Map data & make an impact with Hackney Foodbank
🔢 Help Leukaemia Care understand its reach
Find out more here 👇
pbe.co.uk/get-involved...
So relieved to see Labour MPs standing firm in their solidarity here.
Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.
It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.
Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.
It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.
EXC - No10 is set to offer concessions to Labour rebels on welfare. Talks are ongoing but changes could be made to Pip reforms.
A number of cabinet ministers are now said to believe the bill has no chance of passing in its current form
With
@kiranstacey.bsky.social @pippacrerar.bsky.social
A number of cabinet ministers are now said to believe the bill has no chance of passing in its current form
With
@kiranstacey.bsky.social @pippacrerar.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 5:40 AM
So relieved to see Labour MPs standing firm in their solidarity here.
Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.
It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.
Cuts to UC & PIP are simply to make short term savings and will work against DWP’s wider reform ambitions.
It’s time for the government to admit that weakening our social security system is shortsighted and wrong.
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading
June 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
Reposted by Lucy Bannister
UPDATE- I’m told there are 99 signatures
BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading
June 23, 2025 at 8:18 PM
UPDATE- I’m told there are 99 signatures