Yesterday (23.10.24), Turn2Us published an open letter to the chancellor that was supported by 63 organisations; one of which was the ME Association.
Ella Smith, Welfare and Benefits Advisor signed the open letter to support challenging the narrative around those needing to claim welfare benefits, and for the need for a social security system that is fair, compassionate, and there for people who need it.
Letter
Dear Chancellor of the Exchequer,
We write to you ahead of the Budget on 30 October as a group of over 60 diverse organisations, urging you to consider the narrative you lean on as you deliver your speech, as well as in subsequent debates and conversations with the press. The way we talk about the social security system matters: it can be the difference between creating stigma or compassion. As a politician, your words have the power to create a kinder climate for those claiming the social security they're entitled to.
We recognise the scale of the challenge you face to secure economic growth for the country and improve people’s living standards, particularly for those on the lowest incomes. We are already seeing some welcome change in the way government talks about social security, including Liz Kendall’s recent commitment to end the culture of blaming people who are out of work, moving away from the anti-welfare rhetoric directed at people needing support.
By shifting the focus away from stigmatising those of us who need support, and concentrating on the system, we can build faith in our institutions and give people the confidence to access the support they’re entitled to. For this shift to be effective in the long term, pro-social security narratives should be adopted across government.
We know that negative narratives are created and normalised through the language used by politicians and the media. In turn, they can manifest in policies and practices and become baked into our collective consciousness. This can directly harm the economic and social wellbeing of the people and communities we support every day.
The impact of these narratives is far reaching. Financial insecurity affects everything, including the options available to us and the choices we can make. It not only affects our income but also our mental health, our well-being and our confidence in the future.
Stigmatising narratives undermine our ability to escape the grip of financial insecurity and can cause people to delay or avoid reaching out for support before problems escalate.
Suggestions that the welfare bill is out of control aren’t only inaccurate; they directly contribute to harmful narratives. The same can be said for the media’s focus on tackling benefit fraud, which criminalises the idea of seeking support before people have even taken the first step. People tell us they’re scared of making a mistake, that they feel lost and helpless, and sometimes that they’ve given up on making a claim.
We are asking you to speak to the reality and lived experience of the many people who rely on this support, not the few who exploit it. Those who face financial shocks, like losing a job or a loved one. Those who are working tirelessly to make ends meet and rely on Universal Credit to top up their income. And the many Disabled people who overcome constant barriers but often feel unheard in debates about their finances.
We believe in the missions the government has outlined: to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. To make this a reality, we are asking you to focus on the root causes of the challenges we face and resist divisive rhetoric to justify policy choices.
Together, we can ensure the story of the social security system is one that helps people, and our economy, to thrive. Just as we rely on the NHS, we should be proud of a social security system that’s fair, compassionate, and there for us when we need it.
Please see a full list of signatories via the link below