Social security: Creating a welfare system that is fit for purpose. The meeting will explore the role of social security in preventing and tackling poverty. Speakers and participants will be invited to explore questions around what is needed to create a social security system that is fit for purpose in the short, medium and longer term.
Convenors:
Cullagh Warnock, Trust Manager, Millfield House Foundation
Based in the North East of England, Cullagh is the Trust Manager of Millfield House Foundation – a tiny grant-maker which takes a relational approach to funding local policy work to address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality. She works with a number of other regional and national funders in a freelance capacity and is a trustee of the Pilgrim Trust. Her most rewarding role is as co-chair of a local domestic abuse service.
Rebecca Roberts, Grant Manager, Trust for London
Rebecca Roberts is a Grants Manager at Trust for London and takes a lead on their Decent Living Standards programme. Prior to joining the Trust in 2020 she worked for 20 years in the voluntary sector in a range of policy, campaigning and research roles relating to social and economic inequalities, human rights and criminal justice.
This event will take place online.
Time: 11.30am -1.30pm
Speakers:
• Citizens Advice Newcastle – Manager, Shona Alexander, will give an overview of problems with the current system as experienced by CAN’s clients and some suggestions for what could be improved.
• The Commission on Social Security is a ground-breaking project led by people with lived experience of the welfare benefits system. Commissioners will speak about the work of the Commission and key recommendations published in February 2022 as part of their plan for a decent social security system.
• Child Poverty Action Group’s Head of Policy, Hannah Aldridge, will speak about the Secure Futures for Children and Families project. They are working to develop a set of proposals for what an effective social security system might look like, building on the recent report - Transforming Social Security: How do we provide secure futures for children and families?
• Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive of Bright Blue will give an overview of the Future of Social Security initiative. Advised by a cross party and cross sector commission, Bright Blue are exploring the impact of financial support offered during the pandemic, how effective these changes have been and whether attitudes to welfare have shifted as a result.
If you would like to discuss access requirements, please contact [email protected].
Please note that this event might contain discussions of sensitive topics or information.