London: What to think (and do) about the Welfare Reform Act? - Study Day

Helen O'Brien

Britain's richest 1% own as much as the poorest 55% of the population. So who are ‘the poor’? What does it mean to obey Jesus’ command to reach out to the poor, when in some cases we ARE the poor?

The Justice and Peace Annual Study Day studies the current Welfare system by examining myths surrounding those on welfare. John Hills (Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) , London School of Economics) explains the “Welfare Myth of ‘them and us’- How we ALL use welfare as our lives change”, and Helen O’Brien (Chief Executive Officer, Caritas Social Action Network) examines Christian responsibility in our world of food banks, low wages and soaring house prices.

John Hills has been an independent policy reviewer on fuel poverty, on pensions and on housing. His latest book to be published on 12 November, Good times, bad times: the welfare myth of them and us is published by Policy Press, Bristol, UK. ISBN 9781447320036.

Two-thirds of UK government spending now goes on the welfare state and where the money is spent - healthcare, education, pensions, benefits - is the centre of political and public debate. Much of that debate is dominated by the myth that the population divides into those who benefit from the welfare state and those who pay into it - "skivers" and "strivers", "them" and "us". John Hills will show that the truth is very different.

Helen O’Brien has been Chief Executive of CSAN July 2010. Helen has worked in change management; as Chair of Trustees of charity ActionforME; as Chair of governors of the SCOPE College, and governor of three Catholic schools. From 2005-2010 she was Director of St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, the Westminster Diocesan agency for people with learning disabilities. The mission of CSAN includes advocacy, lobbying and providing theological reflection.

Practical ideas for action will be offered in the workshops, delivered by Housing Justice, Caritas Westminster, Citizens, Taxpayers against Poverty, London Catholic Worker and others.

Where? At St John Vianney Parish Centre, West Green Road N15 3QH Admission is free. Our Bring Food to Share practice always guarantees an excellent lunch!

When? Saturday 8 November 2014 (10 for) 10.30am-4pm

Enquiries: Barbara Kentish 0208 888 4222 & 07758630961