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It's time for Living Hours.⏰ On Friday, over a hundred community leaders across London Citizens met with local government representatives and businesses to discuss the future of work in the Capital and Living Hours accreditations.

🌡️"When it's hot, we're told to stay out of the heat, but what if your home offers no escape?" Iryna, a Citizens UK leader from West London, shared her experience of overheating on Sky News – with her home reaching up to 38C in the evening during the heatwave. Watch the interview 👇 bit.ly/4eFfciJ

Homes 'like ovens' in a country where buildings are made to lock heat in

Iryna told us: "When it's hot we're told to stay out of the heat, but what if your home offers no escape?"

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Our new series '25 Years of the Living Wage: A Movement in Pictures' is out! 📽️ In 2001, communities marched down Mile End Road calling for a Living Wage in East London. Listen to Bernadette Harris reflect on why this moment mattered then, and why it is still relevant today. 🌟

Among conflicting reports today from the Home Office about whether changes to earned settlement will affect thousands of care workers, Citizens UK reiterates its call on the Government not to move the goalposts for care workers who have already built their lives in the UK.

Citizens UK @citizensuk.org · 2mo ago

🌡️ As communities across the UK brace for potential record-breaking temperatures, too many people are living in homes that are ill-prepared for extreme heat. Everyone deserves a home that keeps them safe and healthy. 🏠

We are hiring! 📣 @livingwageuk.bsky.social, part of Citizens UK, are looking for a new Head of Membership to lead and grow their 16,000-strong employer network. For more information on how to apply, please click the link below 👇 ow.ly/I1oc50Z5ztS

Citizens UK @citizensuk.org · 2mo ago

Eid Mubarak to our members, colleagues, friends and neighbours who celebrate! 🥳 May you all have a joyous day filled with love and community! 🕊️✨

This spring, we brought together Minister Alex Norris, the Home Office & 60+ organisations to launch Named Community Sponsorship - a new, community-led route for welcoming refugees. 🎥 Watch the highlights: https://ow.ly/T72j50Z2sRp 👉 Join the movement: https://ow.ly/tJzq50Z2sRo

Join the Named Sponsorship Network

We want the Government to establish and implement a fully operational Named Sponsorship route by the end of 2026, that gives local communities, civil society, employers and universities the power to choose who to welcome to the UK. Sign your organisation up to join the Named Sponsorship Network or to hear more about what comes next.  

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Today, we launched ‘Making London Work for All’ to further tackle low pay and insecure work across the capital. The project Steering Group brings together workers with experience of low pay and leaders from civil society to ensure the initiative’s success. 🙌

For the past 25 years, the Living Wage movement has helped reshape what fair pay looks like in the UK. 🙌 Paul Regan & Bernie Harris, who were both involved from the earliest days, reminisce about the campaign’s challenges and triumphs in The Guardian 👇 https://bit.ly/4eA4vhL

On 4th May 2026, a thousand people gathered in Forest Gate for the 20th Anniversary of the annual Migrant Mass. ✍️ Citizens UK community organiser Caroline Verdant reflects on the vibrant celebration and the power of people coming together across differences. Read the blog 👇 https://bit.ly/4wryf76

"Every person has dignity, value, and a place to belong" - Citizens UK

On 4th May 2026, a thousand people gathered in East London for the 20th Anniversary of the annual Migrant Mass.

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Ahead of local elections taking place today, hundreds of Citizens UK community leaders secured commitments from candidates across parties on campaign issues, from work, housing and child poverty to the real Living Wage. Find out more 👇 https://bit.ly/3Rqrxhj

Last week, Tyne & Wear Citizens community organisers Michael Thompson and Sara Bryson were on BBC Radio Newcastle, reflecting on the importance of building relationships between communities and decision-makers to win change. Listen to the full interview 👇 https://bit.ly/4f4KLTz

Ealing Citizens community leaders publish an open letter ahead of local elections, asking candidates to protect children and families living in temporary accommodation. Read the full story in Ealing Times: https://ow.ly/pkzw50YP48j

Ealing community leaders in election plea for struggling families

COMMUNITY leaders, head teachers and charities across Ealing have published an open letter to all parties fielding borough election candidates,…

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Love and solidarity to our friends at @finchleyreform.bsky.social, a long-standing member of Citizens UK. We stand together against racism and hate and for the safety, dignity and belonging of every community.

Wishing a joyful and hope‑filled Easter to all our members, community leaders, colleagues and friends who celebrate. May this day bring renewal, peace, and strength to you and your communities.

On Good Friday, we’re reflecting on a recent Weaving Trust event in Milton Keynes, where Christians and Muslims came together during the rare overlap of Lent and Ramadan. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/wM6i50YBEuE

🎉 WIN: Barnet Council is now a Living Wage employer! Barnet Citizens have secured the real Living Wage for all council staff and eligible contracted workers. Full story: https://ow.ly/OVK750YBEmQ

Chag Pesach Sameach to all our Jewish leaders, members, and colleagues. Wishing all who celebrate a happy Passover!

Illustration of a Passover Seder plate with traditional symbolic foods on a blue background and 'Happy Passover!' text below.

A win for our Children into Citizens campaign. Child citizenship fees have finally been reduced - down £214 after years of action from community leaders. Still too high, but a step closer to justice for thousands of children. Find out more: https://ow.ly/jixO50YzCW6

A win for our Children into Citizens campaign as the Home Office reduces child citizenship fees - Citizens UK

Citizens UK welcomes the positive news that the fee to register a child as a British citizen will fall.

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Eid Mubarak to our members, colleagues, friends and neighbours who celebrate. May you all have a joyous day filled with love and community! 🕊️✨

Community leaders across Citizens UK set out to Parliament to campaign on the Government’s proposed changed to Earned Settlement. Delays in implementing these plans are still in place. Keep going. Sign the petition. https://ow.ly/Potv50YwnMY

This week, community leaders from Lambeth & Wandsworth Citizens joined Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s social cohesion event and spoke about the importance of ESOL. We look forward to working with the Government on this issue, so that everyone is heard and no one is left out.

Living Wage Foundation@livingwageuk.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Ahead of International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting new analysis from @livingwageuk.bsky.social. While progress has been made in narrowing the low-pay gender gap, millions of women remain in low-paid and insecure work. Read the news story: www.livingwage.org.uk/news/gender-...

Gender low pay gap narrows to lowest level on record, but over 2.5 million women still earn below real Living Wage

livingwage.org.uk

While progress has been made in narrowing the low pay gender gap, millions of women remain in low-paid and insecure work Read the full story: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/news/gender-low-pay-gap-narrows-lowest-level-record-over-25-million-women-still-earn-below-real

POLIS at Leeds @polisatleeds.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🤝New partnership for the School! We’re pleased to share that the School of Politics and International Studies has joined West Yorkshire Citizens, the local chapter of @citizensuk.org Find out more about this new partnership here ⬇️ essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics-res...

Civic engagement

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