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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The reason it brought to mind the 2015 summer budget - that was the one with big welfare cuts and the higher minimum wage - is a longer-winded, and have set it out here www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/another-hamm...

moneyandmentalhealth.org

Our analysis of the government's welfare reforms - Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

Our deputy CEO Conor D'Arcy sets out our analysis of the government's announced changes to PIP and Universal Credit.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Then thinking about the dynamic impacts i.e. will this give people the nudge they need to find work, it's just one quote but they're far from the only person we've heard from whose experience with the benefits system makes them sicker and delays recovery and a return to work

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The discussion that's cropped up about the role of mental health in the rise in claims is understandable, if sometimes not very well informed. But the idea that we're starting from a place where people find it a breeze to claim PIP for their mental health problem is wrong.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

It's fairly harrowing to read through just how distressed people had been by the process, and how even though they thought they could get more money, they couldn't face appealing. Some people were forced into borrowing or going without as a result.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Yesterday I dug back into some of the answers to look at the experiences of people who hadn't got the decision they felt they should've when they were assessed, either for PIP or ESA, but didn't feel able to challenge the decision.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

On the research, in 2018 we surveyed people with mental health problems about their experiences with the welfare system. The report title - "the benefits assault course" - gives you an idea of what we found. www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/publications...

moneyandmentalhealth.org

Report: Mental health and access to benefits - Money and Mental Health

This report explores the difficulties that people experiencing mental health problems can encounter when navigating the benefits system

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Lots of looking ahead today to what the benefits cuts will mean for people affected, for poverty rates, for the fiscal position. I've found myself thinking back to some research we at @moneyandmentalhealth.org did in 2018, as well as the 2015 summer budget...

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

It’s great that the FCA pulls out the importance of getting lived experience insight and testing communications with customers as a way to fill those gaps, which our Mental Health Accessible team has helped some of the biggest banks in the country to do 👇 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/mentalhealth...

moneyandmentalhealth.org

Mental Health Accessible - Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

The Mental Health Accessible programme, run by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, partners with firms to improve accessibility.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

When firms take steps to address the barriers that people face in disclosing their needs, the results can be transformative for customers. The FCA’s review highlights lots of areas where firms have made big strides. But it points to gaps in firms’ understanding and where more needs to be done.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

To really deliver that step up in outcomes for people in vulnerable circumstances, the FCA must be ready to step in decisively with firms that consistently fail to meet the expectations set out in the vulnerability guidance.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

An alarmingly high share of people who could really benefit from extra support are still missing out - which can affect both our finances and our mental health. Firms should be more proactive in encouraging customers to share their needs and to take tangible action in response to disclosures.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

That means most of us in vulnerable circumstances haven't disclosed our needs. Our own research at Money and Mental Health suggests that this proportion is particularly small for people with mental health problems. 🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/best-practic...

moneyandmentalhealth.org

Mental health disclosure guides - Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

Read our guides on how essential services providers can make it easier for consumers to disclose a mental health problem.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

The review shows just 4 in 10 customers experiencing vulnerabilities say they’ve disclosed their needs to their financial services provider - and highlights that customers in vulnerable circumstances are more likely to report a negative experience with financial services firms.

chart showing:
- 42% of people in vulnerable circumstances have disclosed to a financial services provider
- 58% haven't or don't know

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Today the Financial Conduct Authority published its review of firms’ treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances. A quick 🧵 on the findings and our some of our reaction/thoughts at @moneyandmentalhealth.org

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

We're looking to add two people to our amazing research and policy team here at @moneyandmentalhealth.org - do pass it on if you know anyone who might be interested

Join our team! We are hiring a Senior Research Officer and a Research Officer to help produce top-quality research and practical, transformative recommendations. Salaries: £42,323 or £33,745 FTE. Hours: 4 or 5 days per week equivalent. Deadline: 11:59pm, Monday 6 January 2025. Location: Hybrid for London-based employees, or UK with twice-monthly travel to London office.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Totally recognise the added complications for shops and services in accepting cash. But particularly when it comes to essential services, if cash becomes harder to use it risks worsening the cycle of money and mental health problems for lots of people.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

But they don’t address all concerns, not every bank has them, and there’s lots of concern from the people we speak to about moving away from cash – when you’re just about keeping everything together, any change to your pattern can feel high risk.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Now, there have been lots of nice innovations from banks to help people stay in control and protect themselves while still using cards – spending limits, pots, and extra cards for a carer with fixed limits on spending all help.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Another big one is getting help from family and friends. If you’re struggling to leave the house because of your mental health, being able to give a trusted person cash for the shopping gives people a sense of more control than handing over their card and PIN.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

When you can physically see how much you’ve got left for the week in your wallet, it’s easier to stay on top of budgeting. When you only use cash, there are more steps involved if you try to spend large amounts.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Cash isn’t a silver bullet for those problems, but people often tell us how it helps them stay in control and acts as a safeguard when they’re unwell.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Some conditions make us more impulsive (which can lead to running down savings or running up big debts). One person told us "It’s very easy to overspend using credit cards as the transaction doesn't seem to be real cash. When my depression is bad, my spending increases on my credit card."

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

When every penny counts, staying in control of your spending and being able to work to a budget is vital. But symptoms of lots of conditions make that harder. Your memory can be affected (which makes it harder to keep track of how much you’ve spent on a card).

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

The vicious cycle of money and mental health problems is a big part of why cash is important for people we speak to. People with mental health problems are more likely to be living on a low income and more likely to be in problem debt than people without MHPs.

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conordarcy.bsky.social @conordarcy.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Great to have a chance to talk to the Treasury Select Committee about @moneyandmentalhealth.org work on the importance of cash for people with mental health problems, & to hear compelling input from Age UK, Surviving Economic Abuse, Mencap Cymru & Payment Choice Alliance. A few of the key points...

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