From UK poverty to social security - solutions grounded in experience

Join the Webb Memorial Trust and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty for a timely discussion on how best to address the problems of poverty and insecurity in the UK. This event sees the launch of three proposals for solutions to poverty coming from individuals with direct experience of poverty and Britain’s social security system.

Dr Ruth Patrick (University of Liverpool) worked with three organisations (Thrive Teesside, Leeds-based Dole Animators  and ATD Fourth World in London) and a graphic designer – Dan Farley – to develop visual representations of the policy changes that they believe could make a lasting difference to the lives of those in poverty. This event brings together the three groups with first-hand experience of poverty for a conversation alongside people with other forms of expertise.

• hould policymakers rethink their approach to addressing poverty in the UK?
• Is there a mismatch between the portrayal of welfare and everyday experiences?
• How can we deliver security for more of Britain’s households?
• What can be done to build support for an effective anti-poverty strategy?

This discussion represents an opportunity for politicians, policy makers and other stakeholders to engage with the expertise that comes with experience, and to explore the extent of consensus regarding what might be most effective in delivering positive changes to social security in the UK.

Frances Ryan (The Guardian) will chair the event. Representatives from Thrive, Dole Animators and ATD Fourth World will open the discussion, followed by responses from:

• Dr Ruth Patrick, University of Liverpool, author of For Whose Benefit?
• Dr Michael Orton, University of Warwick, author of Secure & Free
• Jane Mansour, Independent Policy Consultant, in-work poverty researcher for CPAG’s ‘Britain Works’ project
• Deven Ghelani, Policy in Practice (invited)

Participants will then be invited to take part in a roundtable discussion, and to contribute their own ideas for how these problems might be most effectively tackled.

If you cannot make the event, do join in the discussion using #goodsociety

Thursday 6th July 2016, 14.15-16.00, Macmillan Room, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament. Tea & coffee from 14.00

Please arrive at Portcullis House by 13.45 in order to clear security. You may be asked for ID. Information about visiting Parliament can be found here. 

Photo credit: yepyep vis flickr