Skip to main content
Home
Menu Close

Utility menu

  • Why join BASW
  • Events
  • Media Centre

Popular on BASW

Campaigning and influencing
World social work day
Social work stands against poverty
People with lived experience
Career stages
Cost of living crisis

Main navigation

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
    • Governance
    • Social work around the UK
    • Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
    • Research and knowledge
    • Standards
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
    • Groups and networks
    • Manage your membership
    • How to contact us
Professional Social Work Magazine

Professional Social Work Magazine (PSW)

Main navigation

  • Digital editions
  • Guidance for contributors
  • PSW articles
  • Advertising

Global human rights watchdogs call for scrutiny of UK welfare reform

Amnesty International demands independent commission as United Nations writes to government ‘seeking clarity’, Louise Palfreyman reports
Protestors outside parliament
Image: Disabled People Against Cuts

Amnesty International is calling for the establishment of an independent welfare commission in the wake of controversy surrounding the Universal Credit Bill.

The bill, which previously included PIP reforms that would have plunged hundreds of thousands of disabled people into poverty, passed after a major climbdown by the Labour government. Four MPs were suspended for rebelling.

The new bill – which could still see 700,000 people on Universal Credit lose up to £3,000 a year – is still causing concern among human rights organisations and disability groups.

Amnesty wants a social security commission with statutory powers to take the lead on reforms and said: "The Commission should carry out an independent inquiry into the UK social security system, driving comprehensive reform to ensure that all individuals have an adequate standard of living grounded in dignity and human rights.”

Amnesty International UK economics lead Jen Clark said: "It’s a huge disappointment that this bill has been voted through. The remaining cuts to Universal Credit will create a two-tier system, where new claimants or those with illnesses that vary day-to-day, such as mental health conditions and multiple sclerosis, are left at serious risk of being pushed into poverty.”

A  separate Amnesty investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions has revealed disabled people are being trapped in poverty by an “unchecked rollout” of experimental AI practices.

Amnesty’s call for scrutiny of the British welfare system has been strengthened by United Nations intervention. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities wrote to the UK government in July asking for clarity on:

  • Any impact assessment on the consequences of budget cuts
  • The impact on young people, those with high levels of needs, and those with psychosocial or mental health disabilities
  • The nature of the proposed changes to PIP thresholds
  • The proposed changes to Universal Credit
  • How the government will address increasing poverty rates among disabled people
  • The Pathways to Work green paper
  • The wider consultation process
  • The limited scrutiny of the bill in the House of Lords
  • Statements by politicians portraying disabled people as a burden or fraudulently claiming benefits
  • The future potential for the DWP to monitor the bank accounts of UC recipients.

Previous UN inquiries in 2017 and 2024 found "grave and systematic violations of the human rights of persons with disabilities”.

Future welfare reforms should be "rights-based" and should not affect the "rights of persons with disabilities to independent living, an adequate standard of living and to employment," the UN warns.

The renamed Universal Credit Bill went through the House of Lords in late July uncontested as a Money Bill – this means peers were not allowed to suggest further changes.

Even a “regret” amendment that would have served as a rebuke to MPs was voted down, according to disability advocacy group Benefits and Work.

The bill will become law in the autumn, when the Timms Review is also due to report.

Amnesty believes the review is an "opportunity" for genuine coproduction. Clark added: "We are waiting for key details about the Timms review, which must not serve as a smokescreen to evade accountability or scrutiny through statutory consultation. 

“This review presents a vital opportunity to realign social security with its fundamental purpose: ensuring that no one has to live in poverty."

BASW joined 52 other organisations in July urging the government to scrap the bill and undertake “genuine dialogue with disabled people where reform is centred on the rights and dignity that all disabled people deserve.” 

The association has also written to Stephen Timms calling for protection of the Access to Work scheme, which supports disabled people in employment and covers some of their additional workplace costs.

Cuts have already seen support workers reclassified as ‘Job Aid Enablers’ and restricted to  20 per cent of working hours. Disabled social workers are reporting within BASW that their support needs are being denied.

Scott Richardson, co-chair of the BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group, urged the government to "commit to transparent consultation with disabled professionals and representative bodies before implementing further changes” and “ensure that Access to Work remains a robust, accessible and equitable scheme that supports, not hinders, disabled people's right to work".

The government said reforms set out in the Universal Credit Bill will look to rebalance the core payment and health top up in Universal Credit (UC). 

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Our reforms are built on the principle of fairness, fixing a system that for too long has left people trapped in a cycle of dependence.

“We are giving extra support to millions of households across the country, while offering disabled people the chance to work without fear of the repercussions if things don’t work out.

“These reforms will change the lives of people across the country, so they have a real chance for a better future.”

Date published
28 July 2025

Join us for amazing benefits

Become a member

Have a question?

Contact us

BASW: By your side, every step of the way

British Association of Social Workers is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England. 

Company number: 00982041

Wellesley House, 37 Waterloo Street, 
Birmingham, B2 5PP
+44 (0) 121 622 3911

Contact us

Follow us

Copyright ©2023 British Association of Social Workers | Site by Agile Collective | Privacy Policy

  • About social work
    • What is social work?
      • What social workers do
      • People with lived experience
      • Regulators & professional registration
      • World Social Work Day
    • Topics in social work
    • Professional Social Work (PSW) Magazine
      • Digital editions
      • Guidance for contributors
      • PSW articles
      • Advertising
  • Careers
    • Become a social worker
    • Returning to social work
    • For employers
    • Specialisms
    • Career stages
      • Self-Employed Social Workers
        • Your tax affairs working through umbrella service companies
      • Agency and locum social work
    • Jobs board
    • Work for BASW
      • BASW Commitee vacancies
  • About BASW
    • Campaigning and influencing
      • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Work
      • BASW in Westminster
      • Relationship-based practice
      • Social Work Stands Against Poverty
      • This Week in Westminster | Blog Series
      • UK Covid Inquiry
      • Professional working conditions
        • Wellbeing toolkit
      • Housing & Homelessness
    • Governance
      • BASW AGM and general meetings
        • 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
        • BASW GM 2025
        • Previous BASW AGMs
      • BASW Council
        • BASW Council biographies
        • Vacancies on Council and committees 2025
      • Staff
      • Committees
      • BASW and SWU
      • Our history
      • 50 years
      • Special interest, thematic groups and experts
      • Nations
    • Social work around the UK
      • BASW Cymru
        • BASW Cymru Annual Conference 2024
        • Campaigns
      • BASW England
        • Campaigns
          • Homes Not Hospitals
          • Social Work in Disasters
          • 80-20 campaign
          • Review of Children’s Social Care
        • Meet the Team
          • BASW England Welcome Events
        • Our Services
          • Mentoring Service | BASW England
        • Social Work England
      • BASW Northern Ireland
        • About Us
        • Consultation responses
        • Find out about the BASW NI National Standing Committee
        • Political engagement
        • BASW NI & IASW's associate membership
      • SASW (BASW in Scotland)
        • About Us
        • Our Work
          • Scottish students and NQSWs
          • Cross-Party Group on Social Work (Scotland)
          • Social Work Policy Panel
          • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
          • Campaigns
        • SASW Annual Conference 2025
        • Coalitions & Partnerships
        • Get Involved
    • Awards
      • Amazing Social Workers
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
        • Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5
      • The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards
    • Social work conferences UK
    • International Work
      • Israel and Palestine/Gaza conflict | BASW/SWU Information Hub
      • IFSW and other international social work organisations
      • Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth
      • Invasion of Ukraine | BASW Information Hub
    • Feedback, suggestions & complaints
  • Training & CPD
    • Professional Development
      • General Taught Skills Programme
      • Student Learning
      • Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme
      • Practice Educator & Assessor Programme
      • Stepping Stones Programme
      • Expert Insight Series
      • Social Work in Disasters online training
        • Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (Online training)
        • Module 2: Law, Policy and Best Practice (Social Work In Disasters Training)
        • Module 3: Person-centred and research informed practice within a multi-agency context (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
        • Module 4: Responding, using theory and self-care (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
      • Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme
    • Professional Capabilities Framework
      • About the PCF
      • Point of entry to training
      • Readiness for practice
      • End of first placement
      • End of last placement
      • Newly qualified social worker (ASYE level)
      • Social worker
      • Experienced social worker
      • Advanced social worker
      • Strategic social worker
    • Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
  • Policy & Practice
    • Resources
    • National policies
    • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Working with...
      • Older people
        • Learning resources
        • Useful resources to support social work capabilities with older people
      • Autistic people
        • An introduction to the Capability Statement
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • Autistic adults toolkit
            • Autistic adults toolkit introduction
            • Feedback tool
            • Induction tool
            • Introduction to video: Sylvia Stanway - Autistic not broken
            • References
            • Reflective tool
            • The role of the social worker with autistic adults
            • Top tips
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
      • People with learning disabilities
        • Introduction
        • Capabilities Statement and CPD Pathway: Resources
          • People with learning disabilities toolkit
            • People with learning disabilities toolkit introduction
            • Information sheet
            • Top tips
            • Induction tool
            • Reflective tool
            • References
            • Hair tool
          • Organisational self-assessment tool
          • Post-qualifying training programmes
        • The Capabilities for Social Work with Adults who have Learning Disability
    • Research and knowledge
      • Research journals
      • BASW bookshop
    • Standards
      • Code of Ethics
        • BASW Code of Ethics: Launch of 2021 refreshed version webinar
      • Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS)
      • Quality Assurance in Practice Learning (QAPL)
  • Support
    • Advice & representation
    • Social Workers Union (SWU)
    • Social Work Professional Support Service (SWPSS)
      • Become a volunteer coach (SWPSS)
    • Independent social workers
      • Independent member benefits
      • BASW Independents Toolkit
        • Section 1: Foundations for Independent Social Work
        • Section 2: Doing Independent Social Work
        • Section 3: Running your business
        • Section 4: Decisions and transitions
      • BASW Independents directory
      • Social Work Employment Services (SWES)
    • Student Hub
    • Financial support
      • International Development Fund (IDF)
    • Groups and networks
      • Special interest groups
        • Alcohol and other drugs Special Interest Group
        • BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG)
        • Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR)
        • The Diaspora special interest group
      • Special Interest Group on Social Work & Ageing
      • Independents local networks
      • Local branches (England)
      • Groups and forums (Scotland)
      • Thematic groups (England)
        • Adult Social Work Thematic Group
        • Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS)
        • Children & Families Group
          • Children & Families Resources Library
          • Disabled Children's Sub-group
        • Criminal Justice Group
        • Emergency Duty Team Group
        • Mental Health Group
        • Professional Capabilities and Development Group
        • Social Workers in Health Group
        • Student & Newly Qualified Group
        • Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Group
      • Networks (Wales)
    • Manage your membership
    • How to contact us
  • Why join BASW
    • Benefits of joining BASW
      • The BASW UK University Social Work Education Provider Affiliation Scheme
    • Membership Categories
      • Student member
      • Working (qualified less than 5 years) Membership
      • Working (qualified more than 5 years) Membership
      • Independent membership
      • Newly qualified social worker
      • Retired membership
      • Unemployed/unpaid membership
    • Membership FAQs
    • Membership renewals
    • Membership fees
  • Events
  • Media Centre
    • BASW in the media
    • BASW News and blogs