Thread by @ruthpatrick0

Today, you can engage with two very different types of #UniversalCredit expertise. Shortly, Iain Duncan Smith will give evidence to the @CommonsWorkPen
On the same day, a @jrf_uk report into experiences of the benefit is published - drawing on expertise of claimants
@UcUs_Now

If the expertise of recipients of benefits had been taken into account in the design of #UniversalCredit, it might have been very different. But there is still time to re-design the benefit; putting the expertise and ideas of recipients themselves at the heart of the process

In this thread, I'll pull together key findings from the @jrf_uk report, published *TODAY* , co-authored by Mark Simpson & written in partnership with @UcUs_Now You can read the full report here jrf.org.uk/report/univers…

There are endemic problems with Universal Credit that make life even harder for people on the benefit; & here the five week wait urgently needs to go. It triggers debt; and creates what Deirdre of @UcUs_Now describes as a domino effect of negative consequences

Debt was a recurring feature for the recipients of #universalcredit that we worked with; as was problems with arrears

.@UcUs_Now members talked about how moving onto #UniversalCredit worsened existing mental health conditions; and created new ones: and also spoke of the. negative impact on children; with feelings of shame expressed by parents who felt unable to provide what their children needed

But - through the project - the recipients of #universalcredit we worked with (who now call themselves @UcUs_Now ) developed recommendations for change; recommendations that are grounded in their own experiences but also in their hope that things might be somehow different.

Their recommendations for change are realistic, achievable & necessary & the group remain busy sharing their experiences, lobbying for change & listening to the expertise of others. I hope that we can learn to value the expertise that groups like @UcUs_Now bring to policy making

.@UcUs_Now have already spoken to the @APPG_UC; to Northern Irish Assembly Members @CommunitiesNI. I hope @CommonsWorkPen will also bring their expertise into discussions about #universalcredit & recognise all we lose when the expertise of experience is excluded

to end this (v long) thread want to flag the importance of the process of participatory research. All involved have enjoyed the collaborative work; and sharing of expertise; while @UcUs_Now valued realising they are not alone; & instead being 'in the same boat' with others