More news & blogs
Read the latest news & blogs on how we are working to create a London free from poverty
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Why claiming UC has been a “saviour” is misleading
A recent article from The Times stated that Universal Credit (UC) “has been a surprisingly efficient saviour for millions hit by the pandemic.” At Z2K, we know first-hand how misleading this claim is. For too many of the people we help, UC causes financial and emotional hardship and has failed to be of support during Covid-19.
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DWP routinely refuses to implement their own guidance on working with representatives
Z2K works with hundreds of clients to ensure they have the income they are entitled to, but caseworkers are continuously met with barriers when trying to speak to the DWP on the client’s behalf. These obstacles are an affront to people seeking justice from the social security system.
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Lockdown Life – bringing people together to tell stories for change
Over the course of Lockdown, Z2K has been bringing together people with experience of Universal Credit and the Private Rented Sector (PRS) using online groups to counter some of the isolation of Lockdown and give voice to their views on what Life After Lockdown should look like.
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Anti-poverty charity, Z2K, welcomes the Work and Pensions Committee’s new report on the DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak
"Disabled people, charities, the Government’s own Social Security Advisory Committee and now the cross-party select committee have all called for this injustice to be corrected. Ministers must stop wasting crucial time and extend the emergency increase to all out of work benefits to ensure everyone is kept safe during this pandemic.” Anela Anwar, Z2K's CEO, responds to the Work and Pension Committee's new report on the DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak
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Discriminatory Government excuses are leaving 2.5 million people without vital support
Last week Director General of Universal Credit (UC), Neil Couling, shone a painfully glaring light on the Government’s discriminatory attitude towards those struggling most in our society. Read Ella's blog on why excuses the Government are repeating for why they are leaving millions behind just don't hold up.
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‘My brother didn’t die so people could be treated like this’
'We’re not just fighting for an extra £20 a week for people, we’re fighting to ensure that the Government treats all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their status in society.' Read Ella's piece on the campaign #IncreaseDisabilityBenefits and the impact the discriminatory move by Government has had on millions of people.
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A social security system for the long-term, not just COVID-19
Our Social Security system should act as a safety net. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of people needing its support has risen by over a million, and the cracks that have been there for years are suddenly at the forefront of a lot more people’s attention.
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Z2K Covid-19 – Emergency Social Security & Housing Actions
The arrival of Coronavirus in the UK has become an unprecedented crisis. Huge numbers of people are expected to become ill, and many more unable to work as they self-isolate to protect themselves and others.
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Z2K gives evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee on behalf of the DBC
Z2K's Marc Francis gave evidence to the newly formed Work and Pensions Committee on behalf of the DBC. He explained the inadequacies of the current assessment process for disability benefits, and how many unwell people could be left without benefits for months on end due to COVID-19
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Why Universal Credit was flawed from the start
The Lords Economic Affairs Committee has just held an inquiry into Universal Credit (UC). As Z2K outlined in our response to this inquiry, 10 years on and many delays later, UC is failing to deliver on its original aims because these aims were either misconceived or subject to bad design decisions.
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Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State – or at least that bit DWP wants you to see
Why the total absence of disabled and ill people from BBC’s 3-part documentary Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State accurately reflects Government’s attitude towards people living in the most vulnerable situations
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The grim reality of homelessness, sofa-surfing and the sharp end of renting in London
At Z2K we’ve begun a new project looking to amplify the voices of some of our clients. Rose and John co-write this piece detailing John's experiences of homelessness, sofa-surfing, and sharp end of renting in London.
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