When the "haves" rip off the "have-nots". Homelessness is a collective failure for all of us as society. And private property is not the prize for talent and effort. It’s the byproduct of public policies, the same policies that cause homelessness. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Private landlords and hotels ‘cashing in’ on England’s hidden homelessness crisis

Exclusive: Half of local authorities charged double by private providers for temporary housing, investigation finds

theguardian.com

✂️ The UK’s social security system doesn’t just fail people — it breaches basic human rights. A new report shows benefits are way below international standards. Poverty isn’t a policy accident; it’s a political choice. @koldocasla.bsky.social theconversation.com/the-uks-soci...

The UK’s social security system falls way below international human rights standards: new report

An expert looks at the evidence for a new report from Amnesty International.

theconversation.com

So what do you do when 32 people across the UK want to be part of deciding the next steps for GRIPP and there's no budget for a residential? Well we send our Cocktail Stick on tour! Starting today from Bushey to Manchester, then onto Stockton on Tees and Glasgow and then London next week...

PRESS RELEASE from @raparuk.bsky.social: St Peter's Square homeless camp, evicted 26/02, moves to Albert Square. RAPAR working with camp residents asks: "Why is MCR City Council refusing to find housing for homeless people before turning them out of their tents...?" www.rapar.co.uk/press-releas...

PRESS RELEASE: 26 February 2025: St Peter's Square homeless camp - evicted this morning - moves to Albert Square

PRESS RELEASE - for immediate release  Wednesday, February 26th 2025 ST PETER'S SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP - EVICTED THIS MORNING - MOVES TO ALBERT SQUARE RAPAR working with camp residents on their cases...

rapar.co.uk

In front of UN CESCR, last week the UK Gov Admitted Failure in the Handling of the Separation of Children from Families in Poverty. 🇬🇧 An issue raised by Essex HR Centre @universityofessex.bsky.social with @grippuk.bsky.social & @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social hrcessex.wordpress.com/2025/02/19/t...

The UK Government Admits Failure in the Handling of the Separation of Children from Families in Poverty

Dr Koldo Casla 19 February 2025 In the second session of the constructive dialogue with the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) this morning in Geneva, the U…

hrcessex.wordpress.com

We are in Geneva at the United Nations and our message is clear. #CESCR2025

We are in Geneva at the UN to highlight the urgent state of everyday rights in the UK – it’s clear that the system is broken. With 30+ orgs, we gave evidence to @justfairuk.bsky.social's submission. Now, we need action to build a fairer UK. #CESCR2025 gypsy-traveller.org/news/joint-s... (1/5)

Joint submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Gypsies, Roma and Travellers - Friends, Families and Travellers

Today, Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) publicised its joint submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, alongside Roma Support Group (RSG), Gypsy and Traveller Empowerm...

gypsy-traveller.org

Ready and waiting for the meeting between NGOs and #OHCHR organised by @hrw.org No time for lunch so eating left over breakfast from the hotel!! #CESCR2025 @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @atd4thworld.bsky.social

#CESCR2025

an illustration of a microphone with the word boom written above it

ALT: an illustration of a microphone with the word boom written above it

media.tenor.com

Closing remarks from rapateur of #CESCR2025 raises his concerns about the reality of poverty in the UK that he has heard first hand from those with lived experience of such violations. Also thanking contribution of those who have travelled to Geneva & the valuable evidence that they have provided

Great last question from Committee Member Ms Lee in #CESCR2025 challenging the Govt to share how it will improve social security and not just see it as a tool to force people to work but as a system that should treat all recipients with dignity and respect

Poem by @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social sums up how we feel about UK Government's response @ #CESCR2025 right now @thriveteesside.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @amnestyuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social

Chair of #CESCR2025 questioning UK report that put such emphasis on future plans, future reviews with little about actual implementation or change We would ask, if the Govt is going to be develop all of these future plans, how are will people living in poverty be involved in developing these plans?

DWP responses in #CESCR2025 included accepting that the child poverty strategy due to be published in Spring isnt enough to help people now. Emphasis was put on the govt fair repayment scheme which will limit repayment to 15% for those on UC.

We welcome the #CESCR2025 questioning the UK Government about delays Trans community are facing in accessing healthcare #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Good to hear the #CESCR2025 committee asking why a country like the UK with its resources and capacity has such issues related to #foodpoverty leading to malnutrition and related disease.

This is the 1st time, as far as I can gather from my own research, that the CESCR has raised the issue of children in care from families in poverty in relation to any country. The UK Gov admitted failure, and that it has to change. It's something to hold them to account in the future. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧

Koldo Casla@koldocasla.bsky.social · 2y ago

In response to the UN CESCR, the Government acknowledges that too many children in poverty are taken away from their families. They commit to working towards ensuring that children stay with their families, including via kinship care. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k16...

The Government just responded to a CESCR question about refugees and asylum seekers hosted by the Home Office in hotels. They forgot to mention that nearly 30% of their ODA budget is spent on this, neither overseas, nor development. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧 Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri....

The UK aid budget and support for refugees in the UK, 2022 to 2024

The UK spent £4.2 billion, or 28% of its aid budget, supporting refugees in the UK in 2023. This drew criticism from aid groups. What is the government response?

commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Koldo Casla@koldocasla.bsky.social · 2y ago

In response to the UN CESCR, the Government acknowledges that too many children in poverty are taken away from their families. They commit to working towards ensuring that children stay with their families, including via kinship care. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k16...

Frustrated by DWP at #CESCR2025 talking about child poverty seriously referencing a 10yr strategy but not giving any detail in how it will work to reduce household costs. The talk of "building financial resilience" drives us nuts! Poor people are resilient - we have to be, every day!

Pleased to hear UK Govt agreeing with our #CESCR2025 submission & the work of @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social that too many children experiencing poverty are being taken away from their families. Now we need to hold them to account in their commitment to work to ensure more families stay together

Ready for day 2 at #CESCR2025 with a strong cuppa coffee in my favourite mug from our friend and ally @helstinki.bsky.social

Amanda from @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social shares her reflections on the first day at #CESCR2005 with @raparuk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social. Feeling positive that the Committee is listening to lived experience knowledge but frustrated with the govt's usual... youtube.com/shorts/aQZ3p...

GRIPP @ #CESCR2005 - Amanda shares her reflections on the first day at the UN

YouTube video by GRIPP Partnership

youtube.com

🏠Home = human right 🏥 Health = human right 📚Education = human right 🥗Food = human right ☔Social security = human right 👷🏽‍♀️Work & workers’ rights = human rights 👪Support for family = human right 📣 Everyday rights are human rights.

📣 We had to bring this to the UN… We joined activists at @grippuk.bsky.social to expose how the UK fails to protect our everyday rights—and what must change.

So proud of our sisters from @thriveteesside.bsky.social and their collaborators from @grippuk.bsky.social for speaking on our behalfs at #CESCR2025 at the UN in Geneva. Lived experience accounts need to be heard to tackle #poverty #discrimination and #injustice in the UK and worldwide

Following speaking with #CESCR2025 committee members @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social feels there is now a chink of hope. Responses were very positive and they welcomed the sharing of our experiences saying how valuable it is to hear & that they don't usually have opportunity to hear this lived reality

The absence of lived experience voices, systems creating constant fear, a government intent on divide & conquer tactics - the issues we just raised with members of #CESCR2025 committee Watch our 3 speeches here: @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social

and what can possibly be the reasons why the UK Gov refuses to eliminate the two-child limit? #CESCR2025 🇬🇧

The UK govt’s delegate from the DWP takes mic again to respond to this point on participation. It’s quite evidently not current practice but may be something they will pass back to colleagues in London at the DWP. The Scots govt rep says proposed human rights bill will include participatory process.

Great reflection from one of the writers of the GRIPP submission to #CESCR2025 The harsh and punitive language the #UKgovernment uses, its efforts to divide us, constant efforts to create fear causes intentional harm to individuals and our communities

Sarah York@sarahfox.bsky.social · 2y ago

Watching #CESCR2025 with friends. Couldn't help noticing that even when trying to be nice about it, the language the English delegates were using was so targeted and dismissive where the Scottish delegate was supportive and inclusive. Also just getting told straight up UK didn't do basic homework.