BASW mentioned in Westminster debate on tackling poverty

On Tuesday, BASW briefed MPs ahead of a Westminster Hall debate brought forward by SNP MP, Marion Fellows about how the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on people with disabilities.

BASW’s campaign- Social Work Stands Against Poverty- seeks to amplify social work’s voice in challenging poverty and inequality and lobby the UK Government to provide greater support for people being hardest hit by cost-of-living pressures.

One aspect of the campaign is the “Spotlight on Poverty” series, which aims to highlight the different ways that poverty affects people, some of whom might use social work services. The first spotlight in the series focused on adult social care and adults with disabilities.

In her opening remarks, Ms Fellows said she had received a record number of briefings from organisations in advance of the debate, including from BASW. She commented that this in itself “tells its own story” in relation to the seriousness of the issue.

The debate, which featured MPs from all parties, considered how increasing costs are disproportionately affecting people with disabilities and the urgent need for greater government intervention to support disabled households with additional costs.

Ms Fellows referenced BASW’s briefing when making the point about why targeted cost-of-living support for people with disabilities is urgently needed:

“According to the British Association of Social Workers, 7 million people—almost half of those living in poverty in the UK—are either disabled or live with someone who has a disability. Families with a disabled loved one are seriously struggling as they have to make difficult decisions and cutbacks.”

Ms Fellows concluded the debate by repeating calls for UK Ministers to not ‘tinker around the edges’ when it comes to helping people with disabilities who are experiencing financial insecurity.

BASW continues to proactively engage with UK parliamentarians from all parties on ways to alleviate poverty and to raise awareness of the social work profession’s important role in this work.