Westminster J&P Study Day: ‘The Welfare Myth of Them and Us’

l-r: Barbara Kentish, John Hills, Fr Joe Ryan, Collette Joyce, Helen O'Brien

Around 75 representatives of parishes across Westminster Archdiocese explored poverty and social exclusion in Britain on Saturday, at a study day organised by Westminster Justice and Peace Commission. It was held at St John Vianney's in West Green, where the chair of the commission, Fr Joe Ryan, is parish priest.

“Our complex and ever-changing lives mean that all of us rely on the welfare state throughout our lifetimes, not just a small welfare-dependent minority” said keynote speaker John Hills. The Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics challenged the idea of a divide in the UK population between those who benefit from the welfare state and those who pay into it. He reported that two-thirds of UK government spending now goes on the welfare state and that includes healthcare, education and pensions, as well as benefits.

Dr Hills felt 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'. However, he demonstrated that all of us rely on the welfare state throughout our lifetimes, not just a small ‘welfare-dependent’ minority.

“We forget that people move in and out of jobs”, he said. “Take Jobseekers Allowance – most people claim for not more than two months”. He reported that with Incapacity Benefit, “fewer than half of claimants will be receiving it for more than a year”. He pointed out that benefits’ beneficiaries include the pensions of retired judges and tax credits for people in work. The myths about the welfare state are further outlined in his new book ‘Good times, bad times: The welfare myth of them and us’, which is being launched on Wednesday.

The second keynote speaker was Helen O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN). She highlighted CSAN’s work for family support, trafficked people, migrants, prisoners, unemployed and people suffering substance abuse. And it was two-pronged – action and advocacy for justice. She regretted that “during this period of reduction of public spending, those facing financial difficulties are often stigmatised”, pointing out that less than one percent of benefit claims have been found to be fraudulent.

CSAN has found families and individuals facing terrible hardship after feeling too ashamed to claim benefits or use a foodbank. She highlighted in-work poverty where more than five million workers in Britain receive less than the minimum wage. CSAN’s advocacy work has included parliamentary lobbying and Cardinal Vincent Nichols’ ‘Blueprint for Better Business’, pushing for the common good in business and elsewhere.

There were powerful reports on grassroots J&P work to assist those facing poverty and social exclusion in Britain. Sheila Gallagher spoke of setting up the New Barnet Foodbank in 2012 after finding “so many people falling through the net and not knowing where to turn”. Churches are key contributors but she felt that campaigning on the causes of problems is just as important as humanitarian assistance; “from a J&P point of view, we are not happy to be running a foodbank in the 21st century!”

Two young women from the local Catholic Worker House spoke about their support of migrants who currently cannot access public funds in Britain. London Citizens ran a workshop on Benefit Changes and assisting people in need. Alastair Murray from Housing Justice led a group concerned about the loss of social housing, supporting homeless shelters in the diocese, and campaigning for community landtrusts. At the conclusion of his workshop, participants called for the Catholic Church to join the London Churches Property Forum, support Homelessness Sunday on 18th January 2015, and get involved in decision-making over Westminster diocesan property, (such as London Colney which has remained empty for several years awaiting completion of sale.) Karolina Maroszek who works for Haringey Migrant Support Centre ran a workshop describing the difficulties faced by migrants and asylum seekers in London. Her centre offers advice and support, seeing up to 50 people a week.

The day began and ended with prayers. Before the afternoon workshops, Fr Joe gave a reflection on the Sack of Plenty - see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25964

The Westminster Diocesan J&P Team of Fr Joe Ryan, Barbara Kentish (Fieldworker) and Dervila McMorrow (J&P Youth Worker) can be contacted by parishes, schools, youth and confirmation groups wanting support for their J&P activity.

Contact: justice@rcdow.org.uk see: http://rcdow.org.uk/diocese/justice-and-peace/