iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Z2K (Zacchaeus 2000 Trust) @z2ktrust.bsky.social · 22h

Disabled people are FIVE times more likely to get the correct benefits award at appeal stage, than from the DWP's mandatory reconsideration. Our new research shows that mandatory reconsideration is a barrier to justice. We are calling for it to be replaced completely.

22310

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Maddy Rose @maddyirose.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Young people deserve to be supported financially and to find employment, where appropriate. One shouldn’t be funded by taking away the other. Taking money out of people's pockets doesn't make them less disabled. Resharing mine and @victoria-j-lee.bsky.social's blog on this from last year:

wearecitizensadvice.org.uk

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.

051

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I worry we're moving towards a binary system that says: either you'll never be able to work; or, if you might be able to work one day, you should be working now. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Key disability benefit for young people may be axed under major welfare changes

Exclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive support to help young people into employment

142

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It’s important to note “those with the most severe and debilitating disabilities would not lose any money.” But we know too often state tests are not accurate in judging “severe”, just as we know people with less severe conditions still face vast expenses and discrimination.

716534

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Highly reminiscent of the benefit cap: purely about political gesture, adding yet more barnacles and complexity to the system, and not even generating significant savings. Quite aside from the many other obvious issues…

010

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Iain Porter @iainkporter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The first benefit cap stats have been published since the 2-child limit was scrapped. 165,000 families - containing over 370,000 children - are now hit by the benefit cap. That’s 50,000 more families than before. 1/4

Chart from the DWP showing the number of benefit capped households in Great Britain over time. It shows that 164,000 families receiving Universal Credit were affected by the benefit cap in May 2026, up from 115,000 families in February 2026. (These figures are slightly different from those quoted in this post because we have added the separate benefit cap statistics for Northern Ireland into the DWP’s statistics for Great Britain.)

22526

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

ICYMI: The housing crisis is forcing families miles from their jobs, schools and support networks. Out-of-area temporary accommodation disrupts every aspect of daily life. Proud that @z2ktrust.bsky.social's TA residents group worked with @bigissue.com on this powerful piece.

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The draft recommendations feel more like the start of a conversation than a final blueprint. If the government is serious about rebuilding trust, the next phase of reform must be genuinely co-produced with disabled people.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Unless the wider social security system is strengthened, we should be clear about the impact a more narrowly cost-based PIP model. It risks pushing disabled people even deeper into poverty.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The bigger concern is the impact on poverty rates. In practice, PIP doesn't just help with the extra costs of disability. For many disabled people, it also helps cover essentials like food, rent and energy bills.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In theory, this approach could create a system that better reflects the different costs disabled people encounter in their day-to-day lives. But it could also make an already complex system even harder to navigate.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

But the Review also sketches out a possible future where PIP is organised around specific categories of disability-related costs. The aim is clear: to link support more closely to the extra costs people face.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

These changes could make the system less stressful, more accessible, and more humane for many disabled people. Given the widespread concerns about the current PIP process, that's an important step forward.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Many of the recommendations reflect what disabled people and campaigners have been calling for for years: ✅ Fewer unnecessary PIP reviews ✅ Better decision-making ✅ Greater use of paper-based assessments ✅ Faster routes for people with severe, clearly evidenced conditions

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In a new @z2ktrust.bsky.social blog, I've had a look at what the Timms Review's emerging recommendations could mean for disabled people. There’s a lot to welcome in the proposals, but the Review's longer-term vision raises some much bigger questions. 🧵

144

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Some doubt already being cast on the government's claim that the Renters' Rights Act has stabilised rent increases. Is avoiding further action on rent affordability really a sustainable strategy? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Rent rises set to speed up in gloomy forecast for tenants

The cost of renting is expected to rise by 4% or 5% a year by December, says property website Zoopla.

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Timms Review has published draft recommendations today - really welcome transparency. Will share longer form thoughts in the next few days but they're a mixed bag: great to see a lot of things we've all been calling for, but also some clear longer-term dangers. www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

The Timms Review: co-chair update, September 2026

001

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Press release says the VOA will be responsible for 'initial' rent determinations - so presume there will still be the option of appealing a VOA decision to the tribunal if unsatisfied.

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Significant announcement today on rent increase disputes under the Renters' Rights Act - moving this from the tribunal to Valuation Office Agency (who handled these cases in the past). Not totally clear yet what this will look like or when it will come in. www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters

All landlords must sign up to new, simple ‘Register your rental property’ service as it rolls out across the country.

200

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The echo chamber that has developed around the 'consensus' that disability benefits need to be massively cut has become increasingly divorced from reality. The result: a parade of increasingly absurd proposals to cut billions from social security that won't survive contact with reality.

022

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This is a very welcome intervention from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Particularly welcome that support will be provided not just to children but to their parents. Other areas take note! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Free buses for Greater Mancheser school children in temporary housing

The move is another new policy announced by Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig.

000

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Z2K (Zacchaeus 2000 Trust) @z2ktrust.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Young disabled people deserve access to opportunity, not barriers. That's why we've joined with 41 other charities calling on the UK government to work with the sector to create pathways into meaningful employment, education, volunteering and training. Action for Children

001

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Really striking, and not nearly discussed enough - how much core non-disability spending on working-age benefits has shrunk over past 10-15 years.

010

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Really not good enough. Govt reluctant to unfreeze LHA because of concerns it inflates rents - but then refusing to take sensible steps on the costs side to mitigate those risks. This is not what tackling homelessness looks like...

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Excellent summary of why freezing LHA yet again would be indefensible. At @z2ktrust.bsky.social, the reality for our clients is that the private rented sector is simply out of reach. Councils are spending nearly £3bn a year on temporary accommodation. We can't keep doing this.

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Somewhat ambiguous comment here. Is there more we can do to support people into work? Yes – but spending on benefits and employment support can’t be an either/or. Try looking for a job without enough money to live on. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.com

Labour must stop just writing a cheque for benefit claimants, says McFadden

Exclusive: Work and pensions secretary signals possible reform to welfare as ministers await key reviews

020

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

There are understandable reasons to be cautious about where the Review might end up. But the interim report has already done something important: it has recognised the human cost of poor assessments, repeated reviews and stressful appeals. That's a good foundation for reform.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

That said, the real test is still to come. The Review has yet to agree its final recommendations. How disagreements are handled, and how steering group members genuinely share power in the decision-making process, will be critical to judging the success of the model.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

The report is also encouraging on co-production. There was considerable scepticism – including from @z2ktrust.bsky.social – about the the commitment to coproduction. But the interim report suggests serious efforts have been made to embed transparency, engagement and shared power.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

The Review raises questions about whether the PIP criteria adequately capture fluctuating conditions and complex needs. But many of the problems @z2ktrust.bsky.social sees may stem from poor application of these existing rules, rather than from flaws in the underlying framework itself.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

One of the most interesting questions raised by the report's findings is whether problems with PIP stem from the eligibility criteria themselves, or how those criteria are applied in practice. In my view, this distinction is crucial.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Assessment-related issues were the dominant theme in the Review's call for evidence. Problems repeatedly highlighted included: • Poor-quality assessments • Inadequate use of medical evidence • Burdensome reassessments • Stressful reconsideration and appeals processes

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

The clearest message from the report is that the current PIP assessment process is not working as intended. The Review highlights evidence that claimants experience it as 'dehumanising' and 'soul destroying' – concerns disabled people have raised for years.

100

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I've written a blog on the Timms Review's interim report and what it tells us about the future of PIP reform. While public debate often focuses on costs, rising caseload and ‘sickfluencers’, the Review starts with a more fundamental question: is PIP achieving its purpose? 🧵

101

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A huge credit to you Marc and to many former Z2K colleagues!

120

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

An underappreciated consequence of Mahmood's immigration agenda is the way it cuts across the government's wider employment goals. As with the proposed 'earned settlement' model, which risks deterring engagement with Jobcentre support, this plan is likely to create further disincentives to work.

020

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Some good news today on welfare reform Auto-recording health & disability benefit assessments is an important move towards increasing accountability and trust Hopefully just a first step in overhauling the broken assessment system www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

Health assessments to be recorded as standard in major transparency drive

All face-to-face and telephone health assessments for disability and sickness benefits will be audio recorded as standard from today to improve transparency in the benefit system.

030

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Really interesting new report from the OBR that suggests future forecast welfare spending could be lower than anticipated Finds previous OBR forecasts likely overestimated expected losses due to fraud & error - will be corrected in future forecasts obr.uk/wtr/welfare-...

obr.uk

Welfare trends report – June 2026 - Office for Budget Responsibility

Our Welfare trends report (WTR) examines the drivers of welfare spending. This report examines the drivers of recent trends in welfare fraud and error, with a particular focus on the pandemic and the ...

000

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

New benefit cap stats out today We don't talk enough about the benefit cap as a cost of renting issue Households are most likely to be capped in London & South East England - where rents are highest 1 in 5 capped households are single people - pushed over the cap purely by rent

030

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Very dodgy behaviour - and another sign of the limits of the Act on constraining rent increases - but worth emphasising (as the article points out) that you can still challenge a rent increase in this situation

010

Reposted by Samuel Thomas

Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

So many people replying to today’s story with experiences like this. Benefit reassessments are a dark cloud hanging over someone’s head, many who - by definition of needing disability benefits - will already be struggling with anxiety, pain or fatigue before piles of admin and invasive interview.

28125

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The goal: a system that is proportionate, efficient, and humane – for disabled people and the public purse. Read the full report here: t.co/elljsnyuWT

t.co

https://z2k.org/disability-benefits-reassessments-are-wasting-money-and-harming-disabled-people-new-report-says/

010

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

With the government’s Timms Review now underway, there’s a clear opportunity to rethink this approach. Our report sets out 3 practical reforms: 1. Reform access to indefinite awards 2. Streamline reviews to focus only on changes 3. Improve the wider assessment process

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Particularly concerning is how people with lifelong or progressive conditions are treated. Many are still given fixed-term awards, which means repeated reassessments, including: • 86% of claimants who’ve had an amputation • 62% with cerebral palsy • 89% with multiple sclerosis

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

In other words: a costly system that often doesn’t change outcomes – but does create stress and risk for claimants.

120

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The findings are stark: • In 2025, nearly 3/4 of planned reviews resulted in no change to entitlement • The system can discourage people from trying work • Around £350m/year is spent on PIP assessment contracts

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Reassessments were meant to keep awards accurate. But in practice, they’re driving a high volume of unnecessary reviews, often for disabled people whose needs haven’t changed.

110

Samuel Thomas @smlthms.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Today @z2ktrust.bsky.social has published new research on PIP reassessments, covered by @francesryan.bsky.social in @theguardian.com, which sets out out why the system is failing disabled people and the public purse. 🧵

121