The Impact of Austerity on Women’s Wellbeing
What Women Want Group/ Women, Austerity & Mental Health Task & Finish Group
August 2014
1
Section
Contents
Pages
Acknowledgements
3
1
Introduction
4
2
Background
5-9
3
Findings from the Task & Finish Group:
10 - 28
3.1 Task & Finish Group
10 - 22
3.2 Focus Groups
23 - 24
3.3 Questionnaires & On-line Survey
24 - 27
4
Discussion & Conclusions
28 - 29
5
Recommendations
30
6
References
31 - 32
Appendices:
1 Task & Finish Group Members
33
2 Focus Group & Survey Questions
34 - 35
3 Survey Responses
36 - 43
4 Local Advice & Support Services
44
2
Acknowledgements
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium & the Task & Finish Group on the Impact of Austerity on Women’s Wellbeing would like to thank first & foremost the women who took part in this work & shared their experience with us through a focus group, questionnaire, individual response or on-line survey. All of their insights have shaped this report & recommendations.
Many thanks to Afrah Qassim (Community Development Worker) & PSS Women’s Turnaround for hosting the focus groups; & to St Andrew’s Community Network & WHISC for taking the time to encourage the women they work with to fill in the questionnaire. Thanks are also due to Irish Community Care, South Liverpool CAB, & North Liverpool Foodbank for providing additional data.
Thanks go to Claire Stevens and Sarah Butler-Boycott (Liverpool Mental Health Consortium) for capturing the issues & pulling together the work of the Task & Finish Group in this report.
3
Section 1: Introduction 1.1
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium aims to improve mental health services in
Liverpool by offering opportunities for those who have experienced mental distress to develop a collective voice about their experiences, share opinions and insights, and influence the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services. The Consortium’s What Women Want group has been providing a platform for the views and aspirations of women service users for several years, with the membership bringing together a wide range of organisations and women service users in order to give a strategic lead on improving mental health services for women. Aims 1.2
The What Women Want group is holding 3 Task & Finish Groups this year,
the second of which is on Women, Economics and Mental Health, with the group meeting 3 times between April and June 2014. The group agreed the following aims for the work:
To consider the impact of austerity on the mental wellbeing of women in Liverpool
To explore the opportunities and levers for change
To produce an evidence-based report and recommendations for presentation to strategic decision makers, commissioners and service providers, taking into account the views and experiences of local women
To launch the report at an event during June 2014
Method 1.3
In order to achieve the above aims, the group agreed that the work should:
Collate evidence relating to the links between the current economic climate and women’s mental wellbeing/distress
Collate relevant local data, including equalities data
Conduct discussion groups with local women who a) use specialist mental health services or b) use other advice/support services. The focus of these groups would be on the extent to which ‘money worries’ impact on mental wellbeing 4
Section 2: Background 2.1
The economic crisis which has existed since 2007/08 has had an undoubted
global impact and has, to a greater or lesser extent, affected people of all ages, income brackets, nationalities and ethnic backgrounds - including both women and men. 2.2
The impact of economics on mental wellbeing has been well demonstrated
globally and locally, and economic wellbeing is recognised as one of the key “wider determinants of health” in Liverpool’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2013 - 2014. There has, however, been relatively little focus on how women, and local women in particular, cope with the implications of recession and the ways in which the economic crisis has impacted on them. 2.3
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises that gender is a critical
factor in mental health because it determines “The differential power and control men and women have over the socioeconomic determinants of their mental health and lives, their social position, status and treatment in society and their susceptibility and exposure to specific mental health risks. Gender differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders - depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. These disorders, in which women predominate, affect approximately 1 in 3 people in the community and constitute a serious public health problem… …Gender
specific
disproportionately
risk affect
factors
for
women
common
include
mental
gender
disorders
based
that
violence,
socioeconomic disadvantage, low income and income inequality, low or subordinate social status and rank and unremitting responsibility for the care of others.”1 2.4
The WHO definition shows clearly that women’s mental wellbeing is linked to
economic factors, and the What Women Want Group wanted to explore these links Gender & Women’s Mental Health, World Health Organisation, www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/ 1
5
further, taking into account women’s continuing position as the primary care givers for children, parents and other family members and loved ones. 2.5
In Scotland, considerable work has been done by Engender to demonstrate
the disproportionate impact of UK-wide welfare reforms due to women’s pre-existing inequality. Engender notes that women in the UK:
Are more financially dependent on social security than men, with 20% of women’s income coming from the benefits and tax credit system, compared with 10 per cent of men’s
Have fewer financial assets and less access to occupational pensions than men, with considerably more women than men in the lowest income decile in the UK
Comprise 92% of lone parents and 95% of lone parents dependent on Income Support
Comprise nearly 60% of care providers within the home and 64% of care providers in the wider community
Have contributed £5.8 billion of the £8 billion raised in changes to taxes and benefits by the UK Government since June 2010, compared to £ 2. 2 billion paid by men.2
2.6
At a regional level, the North West Mental Wellbeing Survey 2012/13 states
that: “Government policies and the extent of social protection can amplify or mitigate the negative health and inequality impacts of economic decline, particularly for the most vulnerable. In 2012, the government announced £18 billion of welfare savings to be made as part of its austerity programme and has indicated that an additional £10 million will need to be achieved by 2016. Key aspects of welfare reform include a change in the assessment and delivery of welfare; a change in the amount of tax credits; a decrease in the amount of housing allowance; and a change to child benefits. The welfare changes are likely to impact low-income households and vulnerable groups, including: 2
Engender (2014), Gender & ‘Welfare Reform’ in Scotland: A Joint Position Paper
6
Workless households and households in more than 16 hours per week of low paid work
Households with children
Lone parents, more than 90% of whom are women
Larger families
Some ethnic minority households
Disabled people who are reassessed and considered ineligible for personal independence payments”3
2.7
Again, the links between economics, gender and mental wellbeing are clear,
but not explored specifically. 2.8
Locally, Liverpool’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2013/14
breaks down the estimated prevalence of mild to moderate mental health problems by gender (and age) and demonstrates that these are 1.6 times higher amongst women than men (17.3% of all women being affected in any one year compared to 11.2% of men).4 The JSNA further outlines the links between income, deprivation and mental distress. “Data from the Consolidated Analysis Centre Inc. (CACI) suggests that almost 40% of Liverpool households can be considered to be living at or close to the poverty line, with an income of less than £17,279. This measure does not take into account the number of people living in that household who are being supported by that level of income, therefore the higher the number of people in that household then the lower the standard of living.
Low income and poverty are significant public health issues, impacting on both physical and mental health. Household income in Liverpool during 2012 was the second lowest of the eight core cities in England. Furthermore, household income in Liverpool fell by over £700 between 2011 and 2012, whereas many of the other core cities saw an increase.
3 4
Jones, A et al (2013), North West Mental Wellbeing Survey 2012/13 Liverpool Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2013/14, Adults & Older People: Mental Health & Wellbeing
7
Poverty has a profound impact on the wellbeing of children and young people and is associated with common mental health problems. Figures for 2012 suggest that over 31,200 (33%) children in the city live in poverty, underlining the scale of the issue for Liverpool. These children and young people are up to five times more likely to have a mental health difficulty and in adulthood are almost five times more likely to attempt suicide.”5
2.9
It is important to note that women are still the main care-givers, running
household budgets and ensuring children, partners and, in some cases, grandchildren or parents are fed and clothed. 2.10
Further factors to consider are that: Women are more likely than men to be lone parents, shouldering a greater responsibility for child rearing with comparatively fewer financial resources. “Single mothers are the demographic most hit by benefit cuts - the Fawcett Society and Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated last year that single women will lose an average of almost 5% of their annual income by 2015 as a result of changes in taxes and benefits.”6
Women still tend to be on the lower end of the income spectrum both because they have a higher representation in traditionally low-paid jobs, including parttime work, and because they still earn less than men even when employed in comparable jobs.
Women have been disproportionately employed in the public sector and have therefore suffered particularly from cuts to, for example, local government jobs as two-thirds of council (and similar) jobs are/were held by women.7
In the North West, 65.6% of the public sector workforce are women. By 2015, 24,050 public sector jobs will be lost.8
5
Liverpool Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2013/14, Adults & Older People: Mental Health & Wellbeing
6
Austerity & Domestic Violence: Mapping the Damage, Heather McRobie, Open Democracy, Dec 2013
7
The Impact on Women of the Budget 2012, Women’s Budget Group, 2012 www.lga.gov.uk
8
8
£11.1bn of the £14.9bn raised from the five spending reviews (nearly 75%) between 2010 and 2012 came from women even though they earn less than men on average. Changes to tax credits, child benefits and public sector pensions have hit women particularly hard.9
Welfare cuts have disproportionately affected women, one-fifth of whose average income consists of benefit payments.10
Women have also been particularly affected by cuts to specialist advice, support and advocacy services.
There is evidence that levels of domestic abuse rise in times of economic crisis and women are disproportionally affected by this. “This has been compounded in domestic violence situations by the abolition of the Social Fund which was used as an emergency payment from benefit offices to support those in ‘dire need’. Meanwhile, this year saw female unemployment rise to a 25-year high. This loss of economic and social status and mobility has clear consequences for domestic violence, as the difficulty of leaving a violent partner is clearly significantly complicated by financial limitations.”11
2.11
The cumulative impact of the issues outlined above is what The Fawcett
Society has termed “the triple jeopardy”12 facing women. Women are: 1) Hardest hit by cuts to public sector jobs, wages and pensions 2) Hardest hit by cuts to services and benefits 3) Most likely to ‘fill the gaps’ left by the withdrawal of state services 2.12
The impact of this triple jeopardy on women’s mental health should not be
underestimated and is discussed in further detail below. 9
Women paying the price for Osborne's austerity package, Jane Martinson, The Guardian, 30th March 2012 10 The Impact on Women of the Budget 2012, Women’s Budget Group, 2012 11 Austerity & Domestic Violence: Mapping the Damage, Heather McRobie, Open Democracy, Dec 2013 12 The Impact of Austerity on Women (2012), Fawcett Society Policy Briefing: March 2012
9
Section 3: Findings from LMHC’s Task and Finish Group “The current austerity measures are having an impact on a greater number of women than those who are defined, or self-define, as having ‘mental health’ issues. The women’s health project that we spoke to has seen an increase in the number of contacts made, many of which are for stress related problems, as women cope with financial problems and concerns about their families. Closures in other services have meant their service users are left needing support, often for complex needs and multiple issues.”13
Task & Finish Group 3.1
The group brought together NHS & voluntary sector service providers, service
users/survivors, & other stakeholders (See App. 1). Discussions within the group, based on a wealth of local knowledge & experience, identified a number of themes in respect of Liverpool women’s experiences of the economic crisis and resulting austerity measures. These included: Welfare Reforms 3.2
Recent welfare reforms have generated considerable anxiety for many people
in Liverpool, regardless of gender, and have been raised consistently by people with long-term mental health conditions who have been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and must now apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) and be assessed as to their eligibility.
3.3
A number of issues have been raised with particular reference to women:
Women’s access to employment opportunities, in relation to Universal Credit, employability, job-seeking and caring responsibilities
Domestic abuse, in relation to the household payment and the bedroom tax
13
James, L & Patiniotis, J (2013) Women at the Cutting Edge: Why Public Sector Spending Cuts in Liverpool are a Gender Equality Issue, Liverpool John Moores University
10
Multiple discrimination as it relates to disabled women, older women, BME women and refugee women in particular.
Housing 3.4
The ‘bedroom tax’ (otherwise referred to as 'size limit rules' or 'under-
occupancy rules') has been a major cause of anxiety, with women fearing they and their families will be forced to leave areas in which they feel safe and in which they often have a long history, social capital and sense of community built up over many years. Liverpool has a particular problem in relation to the bedroom tax in that there is a lack of smaller accommodation for people to move to, yet they fear penalties if they do not move. 3.5
Women at a Locality event held at the Communiversity in Croxteth as part of a
Joseph Rowntree Foundation project14 spoke of some of the difficulties in their area. They noted that Norris Green, along with other areas, has a shortage of 1 and 2bedroom properties in which to re-house people. Signs of physical decline are already beginning to surface as people leave ‘under-occupied’ properties. Social landlords would previously lease the houses to individuals on the basis that it was better to have the houses occupied than empty and bringing the area down. As more people are forced to leave their homes, the area and areas like it are at risk of sudden and precipitous decline. 3.6
Irish Community Care Merseyside report particular issues for Irish travellers
who are now housed. These include the difficulty of going through the Property Pool if you can’t read and a consequent reliance on higher-priced private rental property; difficulties with rent, housing benefit being paid to the individual rather than landlord, budgeting and managing money; delays in benefit payments; cuts to DLA and the Bedroom Tax.
14
www.locality.org.uk
11
Case Study Examples Mary Mary is an Irish Traveller in her 50s who lives in a 2-bedroom bungalow in North Liverpool. She is on ESA & is currently in the process of applying for PIP as she has a lot of mobility issues. Mary was being charged Bedroom Tax &, in order to overcome this, she asked her adult son to live with her. However, as her son is a non-dependant who is also on ESA, she is liable to pay £13.60 a week towards the rent. Mary is struggling with paying the contribution towards Council Tax alongside the non-dependant deductions. Mary’s son’s benefits were sanctioned due to his failure to attend a medical meaning that Mary’s Housing Benefit was suspended, putting her into severe arrears. Her son was not keeping up with his weekly payments even though he was informing her that he was. The situation became a crisis when Mary was issued with a notice to seek possession. ICCM liaised with the housing provider and Mary agreed to pay back an amount every week. Her son made a new claim for benefits, & both mother & son liaised with the One Stop Shop & informed them he was on nil income whilst benefits were suspended.
Bridget Bridget is an Irish Traveller who is a single parent with two young children. She lives in private rented accommodation & is on income-related ESA. Bridget has to pay a top-up of £87 per month as her Housing Benefit does not cover her rent. Bridget has asked for her Housing Benefit to be paid directly to her landlord as she has literacy problems & difficulty with managing & budgeting money. Bridget applied for discretionary housing payment to cover arrears from when she was unable to pay the top-up. She was awarded £17.30 per week from 1st April to 28th Sept. She is currently bidding for social housing on Property Pool Plus as she feels she will not be able to keep up with her monthly top-up payments.
12
Caring 3.7
Women are still more likely than men to be the main carer within families,
whether or not they are in paid employment. Not only do they provide the majority of care for children but they are also increasingly likely to be the main care-givers for older parents. As the ‘baby boomer generation’ (those born between 1946 and 1964 now aged between 50 and 68) ages, retires or becomes otherwise workless and starts to suffer from increasingly poor physical and mental health the burden of care tends to fall on daughters who may also have childcare and work pressures to cope with. Adult children are also finding it harder to find jobs or afford to live independently of their parents, which can put an additional strain on mothers. 3.8
Annual childcare costs for two children have been equated to the annual cost
of mortgage payments and women report that their entire wages (e.g. £7,500 £10,000 per annum) are spent on childcare. This backs up the findings of The Family and Childcare Trust’s Annual Report (2014)15 which reveals that part-time childcare for two children typically costs over £7,500 a year which equates to 4.7% more than the average annual mortgage cost and twice the average weekly food bill. 3.9
The situation can be even more difficult for lone parents, most of whom are
women. In one part of the Riverside ward, there is no father present in 65% of households with dependent children, and data from the Centre for Social Justice16 shows that the percentage of households with dependent children headed by a single mother is also particularly high in parts of Wavertree, Warbreck, Kirkdale, Everton and County wards (all between 57% & 60%). Employment, Unemployment and Economic Activity 3.10
Task and Finish Group members reported that, for those in work, the pay gap
between women and men in Liverpool is still significant and is in line with the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings provisional results for 201317 stating that, nationally:
15
www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-costs-surveys Centre for Social Justice (June 2013) www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/UserStorage/pdf/Press%20releases%202013/CSJ-Press-Release-LoneParents.pdf 17 ONS www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/2013-provisional-results/stb-ashestatistical-bulletin-2013.html 16 16
13
The gender pay gap (i.e. the difference between men's and women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings) based on median gross hourly earnings (excluding overtime) for full-time employees increased to 10.0% from 9.5% in 2012.
3.11
It is not only in unskilled or low-skilled work that women’s earnings are less
than men’s. Female graduates typically enter the job market in less highly paid jobs than their male peers, meaning that the burden of debt they have when entering the workforce is disproportionally high and may, potentially, put women off Higher Education. A recent study by the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment 18 found that female graduates regularly earned up to £8,000 less per annum than male graduates with the same degree. 3.12
Women are reluctant to take career breaks as they fear becoming de-skilled
and unemployable or only employable at a lower scale. This can put increasing strain on them as they struggle to balance a job with their home life. 3.13
Figures from the ONS show that in the last financial year women of working
age in Liverpool were 8% less likely to be in employment than the national average and 6% less employed than the regional average. However, their employment rate was broadly the same as that of Liverpool men. Similarly, Liverpool women were 3% more likely to be unemployed than the national and regional averages although they were 2% less likely to be unemployed than their male peers. Table 1: Employment & Unemployment Rates – Liverpool (April 2013 - March 2014) Liverpool
Employment rate - aged 16-64
Total Population Number 186,000 303,800
Great Britain Total % Population Number 61.2 28,072,600 39,135,400
North West Total % Population Number 71.7 3,061,000 4,436,600
% 69
Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
26,300
212,300
12.4
2,222,800
30,295,400
7.3
267,300 3,328,300
8.0
Employment rate males - aged 16-64
95,700
150,700
63.5 14,983,100
19,515,400
76.8
1,623,800 2,216,600
73.3
Unemployment rate males - aged 16-64
16,000
111,700
14.3
1,264,900
16,248,000
7.8
158,200 1,782,000
8.9
Employment rate females - aged 16-64
90,300
153,100
59.0 13,089,500
19,620,100
66.7
1,437,200 2,220,100
64.7
Unemployment rate females - aged 16-64
10,300
100,600
10.3
14,047,400
6.8
109,100 1,546,400
7.1
957,900
Source: ONS/Nomis
18
Livanos, I. & Núñez, I (2012). The Effect of Higher Education on the Gender Wage Gap International Journal of Education Economics & Development, 3(1), pp. 33 - 47.
14
3.14
Data showing economic inactivity in Liverpool over the past three financial
years, however, shows that the percentage of economically inactive women who would like to be in employment has risen by almost 12% over this period, whilst the male rate initially also rose by approximately 12% but has reduced to 8%. Table 2: Economic Inactivity by Gender - Liverpool (2011 – 2014) April 2011 - March 2012 April 2012 - March 2013 April 2013 - March 2014 Number Number Number Total Total in % in % in % Population Population Category Category Category 99,000 304,300 32.5 96,100 303,000 31.7 91,400 303,800 30.1
Liverpool
Total Population
% who are economically inactive - aged 16-64 % of economically inactive who want a job
16,500
99,000
16.7
24,600
96,100
25.6
24,800
91,400
27.1
% of males who are economically inactive - aged 16-64
43,000
150,700
28.6
42,300
150,600
28.1
39,000
150,700
25.9
8,100
43,000
18.9
13,000
42,300
30.9
10,700
39,000
27.5
55,900
153,500
36.4
53,900
152,400
35.4
52,500
153,100
34.3
8,400
55,900
14.9
11,500
53,900
21.4
14,100
52,500
26.8
% of economically inactive males who want a job % of females who are economically inactive - aged 16-64 % of economically inactive females who want a job
Source: ONS/Nomis
3.15
Clearly, whilst lack of employment opportunities remains an issue of concern
for both men and women in Liverpool, women are facing additional barriers. Debt, Food and Fuel Poverty 3.16
All the agencies contributing to this report noted a rise in the number of clients
and service users struggling to cope with debt and/or cutting back on food and fuel consumption as a result of financial concerns. Figures obtained from South Liverpool CAB show that over the year July 2013 to June 2014, the following debts were presented to Liverpool CABx. Table 3: Liverpool CABx - Debt by Gender (July 2013 - June 2014) Average
Gender
Total Debt
Unique
Average
Average
Expenditure
Number
Amount (£)
Clients
Debt (£)
Income (£)
(£)
of Debts
Female
6,123,321.83
975
6,280.33
3,589.76
3,391.44
3355
Male
4,340,663.89
617
7,035.11
2,774.90
2,584.96
1933
49,971.95
5
9,994.39
2,068.92
1,771.12
7
10,513,957.67
1,597
6,583.57
3,270.18
3,074.78
5295
Unknown Total
Source: South Liverpool CAB
3.17
Of the 5,295 debts that Liverpool CABx assisted with over the past 12 months
(totalling £10.5 million), 3,355 (63%) were presented by women, who held £6.1 million (58%) of the total debt. Of the 1,579 individuals who presented with debt, 975 (62%) were women. Although fewer men presented, when they did, they had 15
proportionately larger debt. There was also some difference in the types of debt presented by women and men. For example, it is mostly women who are in arrears with TV licence payments - one of the few debts that can result in imprisonment. Also, a high proportion of CAB cases involve debt for catalogue bills and doorstep lenders - these are disproportionately women's debts, typically for items such as school uniforms or birthday presents. Table 4: Liverpool CABx – Debt by Type (July 2013-June 2014) Category
Female
Male
Benefit overpayment
70.80%
29.20%
Cable/Satellite/Digital TV
53.80%
46.20%
Catalogue/Mail order
83.20%
16.80%
0.00%
100.00%
Council Tax arrears
59.20%
40.00%
Credit card
63.80%
35.70%
Credit union
85.70%
14.30%
Credit union loan
66.70%
33.30%
Electricity
85.70%
14.30%
Former tenancy arrears
42.90%
57.10%
Gas
60.00%
40.00%
Hire purchase/Conditional sale
20.00%
80.00%
Income tax/NI arrears
11.10%
88.90%
Magistrates' Court fine
56.40%
43.60%
Mobile phone
57.50%
42.50%
Mortgage arrears
90.00%
10.00%
Mortgage shortfall debt
60.00%
40.00%
Other
66.70%
33.30%
Overdraft
55.30%
44.70%
100.00%
0.00%
Payday lending
47.10%
52.90%
Rent arrears
42.90%
57.10%
Secured loan arrears
77.80%
11.10%
Social fund loan
75.00%
25.00%
Store card
92.90%
7.10%
Student loan company/fees
70.00%
30.00%
Telecom packages (TV, phone and internet)
60.00%
40.00%
Telephone
77.80%
22.20%
Unsecured loan
57.00%
42.10%
Water rates arrears
57.40%
42.60%
Grand Total
63.30%
36.40%
Child Support/Maintenance arrears
Parking/Traffic penalty charges
Source: South Liverpool CAB
16
3.18
Further data was supplied by PSS Women’s Turnaround, a support service
for women offenders and those at risk of offending. An assessment of clients’ needs at initial contact shows that 65% of their clients, in the first 3 quarters of 2013/14, self-identified as needing support with finance, benefit and debt-related issues. The project was able to support them through advice, support and advocacy, was directly able to increase income, and reduce/help manage the debt of at least 43% of the women, as well as signposting them to other sources of support. Table 5: Women Experiencing Financial Problems - PSS Women’s Turnaround (April December 2013)
Total Q1
Q2
Q3
(April/ Dec 2013/14)
Women assessed
87
66
114
267
Number with need
53 (61%)
53 (80%)
68 (60%)
174 (65%)
Source: PSS Women’s Turnaround Project
3.19
In relation to food poverty, the local situation is a cause for considerable
concern. New figures for 2013-14 show that Merseyside is the Foodbank capital of the country, with 35,175 adults & 20,936 children (56,111), or 154 people each day, reliant on emergency parcels of food & basic household supplies. This equates to 1 person accessing a Foodbank every 9 minutes. Across the North West, 138,644 people used a Foodbank, compared to 41,013 in 2012-13; a shocking rise of 238%. The Trussell Trust, which has centres in Wavertree, Clubmoor, Birkenhead, Maghull, Bootle, Crosby, Kirkby & Dovecot, said rising numbers were turning to Foodbanks because their incomes have been ‘squeezed’, despite signs of an economic recovery. Nationally, a record total of more than 913,000 people received 3 days’ emergency food in the last year. A nationwide survey of Trussell Trust Foodbanks found that 83% of Foodbanks surveyed reported that benefit sanctions have caused more referrals. Half of all referrals in 2013/14 were a result of benefit delays or changes.19
19
Trussell Trust (2014) End of Financial Year Figures: North West
17
3.20
Colleagues at North Liverpool Foodbank (part of the Trussell Trust) told us
that there are 8 distribution centres operating across North Liverpool, offering food in crisis, based on a voucher system. The service relies heavily on volunteers, and at least one of the centres is open every day at specific times. Various organisations are voucher-holders, including GPs, CABx, Whitechapel Centre, The Basement, PSS and RAISE. A voucher entitles someone to 3 days-worth of non-perishable emergency food, which will include dry food, pasta, sauce, cereal, fish, jam, tea, sugar, beans, soup etc. Benefit delays are the reason most people cite for using the Foodbank, followed by low income. On average, people use a Foodbank 1.7 times. The guidelines recommend no more than 3 uses, though there are a few people who use it more frequently. The service has a list of ‘4+’ people (currently 11) who are flagged-up as needing further support. 3.21
Gender is not currently recorded and, staff say, it would be difficult to record
as, irrespective of the person who picks up the food, many vouchers are used by whole families. However, given the particular problems faced by lone parent families (most of which are headed by women) and that Liverpool has eight out of the country’s top 20 areas with the highest levels of fatherless households 20, it is possible to speculate that women are particularly likely to seek the support of Foodbanks. 3.22
Recognising that food poverty is linked to social and health inequalities and to
mental distress, St Andrew’s Network, based in Clubmoor, also offers a moneymanagement programme, debt advice centre, volunteer project, Wellbeing, 12-step Recovery Programme and is currently launching a Listening Service alongside their Foodbank. These are offered to people, whatever their postcode, responding to a lack of services in Clubmoor, particularly for those in crisis. Funding Cuts and Loss of Services 3.23
Whilst recognising that Liverpool City Council has made every effort to
maintain frontline services for as long as possible since government funding cuts began to take effect in 2012, it is clear that cuts are now beginning to bite in a 20
Centre for Social Justice (June 2013) www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/UserStorage/pdf/Press%20releases%202013/CSJ-Press-Release-LoneParents.pdf
18
number of ways which have an impact on women and families and that this situation is set to escalate in the immediate future. For example, Sure Start funding is no longer ring-fenced but has been merged into the Early Intervention Grant which also covers mental health, youth crime and teenage pregnancy. The inevitable result is that, in this year alone, Sure Start services have been cut by over 70% in Liverpool.21 3.24
A host of cuts have had an impact on thousands of local women’s daily lives
and increased their levels of stress, anxiety and depression – or are likely to. These include:
21
Withdrawal of funding to older person’s floating support through Age Concern, MCDA, PSS, South Liverpool Housing
Loss of school uniform grant
Phased reduction in floating support to socially excluded groups through Barnardo’s, CDS, Creative Support, Irish Community Care, Local Solutions, Nacro, Nugent Care, Riverside, ECHG, Shelter, Whitechapel Centre
Phased withdrawal of community support Service-Level Agreement (SLA) to Age Concern, PSS, South Liverpool CAB, Granby Mental Health Group, Liverpool Mental Health Consortium, People First, MASS, Sahir House, Natural Breaks, Crossroads, Liverpool Schizophrenia Association (LIVSA), Merseyside Society for Deaf People, Bradbury Fields, Christopher Grange
Removal of subsidy to Day Nurseries
Review of provision of funding of after-care services under Section 117 (i.e. charging for parts of the service not deemed to directly relate to mental health needs)
Withdrawal of employment brokerage
Re-commissioning of community-based services for people with learning disabilities and mental health support needs
Review and consultation on closure or re-commissioning of in-house mental health day services
Re-commissioning of third sector contracts
Reduction in transport costs for community support
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-council-outlines-156m-budget-6681111
19
3.25
An additional burden for Liverpool’s services is that, as austerity measures hit
the whole of the Merseyside area, women from the surrounding areas of Merseyside are often referred to Liverpool services as these are perceived to be better resourced than in other Merseyside boroughs, despite having suffered greater cuts in real terms. 3.26
Task and Finish Group members expressed concerns that Liverpool’s JSNA
does not support the provision of specialist services based on equalities principles/ the needs of people with protected characteristics, including women. Instead, it suggests that universal services should be sufficient provided that they are proportionately targeted - although it does not specify how this should happen. “Reducing health inequalities is a key responsibility of both Local Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and is a matter of fairness and social justice. While the health & wellbeing priorities identified during the JSNA process affect many minority and vulnerable groups disproportionately, focusing on the most disadvantaged groups alone will not reduce health inequalities sufficiently. Actions to reduce inequalities should be universal, but at a scale and intensity that is proportionate to the level of need i.e. “proportionate universalism”.”22 3.27
There is a particular need to be mindful of the existing women-only/gender
specific services in Liverpool and how they will be affected by reductions in budget. These may include: WHISC, Domestic Abuse Services (North and South Liverpool), mental health day programmes, supported accommodation for women, services for female sex workers, homeless provision, a range of mental health services, services for asylum seekers (including female unaccompanied children) and refugees, support services for women in the criminal justice system – particularly prisons. The Impact of Gambling 3.28
Gambling is a significant problem in Liverpool, with more than £600 million
gambled in bookmakers in 2013; the highest amount being spent in the poorest neighbourhoods. The amount spent on gambling is rising significantly and women 22
Liverpool Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2013 - 2014 (2013), Liverpool City Council
20
are increasingly active gamblers. One area of concern is fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), into which more than ÂŁ204 million was pumped in the Liverpool Riverside constituency in 2012 alone. This is a constituency that also has the fourth highest rate of child poverty in the UK. 3.29
According to Beacon Counselling Trust, problem gambling has strong links to
many social issues, including alcohol and drug misuse, domestic violence, debt and suicide, the impact of which is devastating on the wider family unit. Beacon reports that their new support service for problem-gamblers has more women accessing it than men. There is a great impact on relationships and the family, as the results of problem gambling can become very serious in a matter of days. The number of media adverts for gambling has proliferated and the rise of internet gambling is problematic. This type of gambling is, perhaps, easier for women to access than traditional betting shops. Equalities 3.30
Task and Finish Group members noted that, whilst the current economic
climate is having an impact on women from all groups, there are particular impacts on women who face multiple disadvantages. These include disabled women, women from Black & Minority Ethnic communities, refugees, older adults, carers, lesbian, bisexual and trans women, and those who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
3.31
Disabled women have, arguably, felt the greatest impact from welfare
reforms. The change to Personal Independence Payments has reduced available support, but other benefit changes are likely to have a disproportionate effect on disabled women as they are less likely to be in full-time employment than other groups. Although there is wide variation within and across BME groups, there is considerable evidence that BME people have lower incomes, higher rates of poverty, larger families and higher numbers of dependent children than the UK average. Where English is not a woman’s first language, there are also challenges around communications, including use of the internet as evidence of job seeking or completing online questions in relation to welfare benefits. This can also have an impact on ability to budget and the likelihood of getting into arrears where rent is not paid directly to a landlord. 21
3.32
Women refugees tend not only to face the challenges experienced by other
marginalised groups - including language and digital inclusion barriers - but also experience additional barriers and stigma associated with their status. There may also be cultural barriers, lack of support networks and issues relating to mental and/or physical health issues associated with their reasons for seeking asylum in the UK. Considerable issues exist in relation to destitution as a result of the transitional process from the asylum seekers’ benefit system to ‘mainstream’ benefits. For legal reasons, asylum seekers face a different set of issues, with the system governing their income, housing and so on. It is, however, important to acknowledge the particular hardships they face.
3.33
Since women, on average, live longer than men, poverty in old age is a
particularly gendered issue and it has been suggested that single pensioners, the majority of whom are women, will be amongst the most affected by public spending cuts (along with lone parents, most of whom are also women) losing 12% of their incomes.23 Women are disproportionately providing both paid and unpaid care and, as carers, are concerned about the loss of linked entitlements and increased job insecurity. Recent research conducted for Unison by NatCen24 into the impact of austerity measures on LGB&T people indicates that these groups are experiencing greater financial hardship from redundancies, real term pay cuts and changes to benefit rules; problems finding LGBT-friendly accommodation where they feel safe; reduction in sexual health and mental health services which address their specific needs; & greater feelings of marginalisation and invisibility as specialist LGBT services and support disappeared. A recent survey conducted by Liverpool’s LGB&T Mental Health Strategy Group25 shows that isolation, lack of access to information and lack of a range of support services have a harmful impact on the mental health of LGB&T individuals and that any reduction of existing services would exacerbate this.
23
Women’s’ Budget Group www.wbg.org.uk Mitchell, M et al (2013) Implications of Austerity for LGBT People & Services, NatCen Social Research 25 Liverpool Mental Health Consortium, forthcoming 24
22
Focus Groups 3.34
Discussion groups were held by PSS Women’s Turnaround project and by
Afrah Qassim (BME Community Development Worker, Inclusion Matters Liverpool). Key findings from these groups were:
Several women stated that they want to work, but are unable to because of childcare responsibilities and an absence of affordable/free childcare.
Having to find extra money to pay council tax and bedroom tax was cited as one of the main issues by women using the PSS Women’s Turnaround project.
The option of moving, thereby alleviating the financial pressure of the bedroom tax, is unrealistic unless they have money to go private or are willing to move away from their area, support networks, friends, schools, and family etc. The private sector is too expensive and rents generally fall outside of the local housing allowance.
The women voiced frustration at the lack of continuity within support services. When they have been offered a service that encourages them to open up about very personal things, issues they may be talking about and dealing with for the first time, to then have that service snatched away due to finances means that they feel they don’t matter, and all the good work is easily undone. This in turn has a detrimental effect on their willingness to engage with any other services and so the cycle continues.
All complained about having less money; all are falling behind with their bills and having to choose between food and utilities; some of the women are in debt for the first time in their lives; & more women are depending on food vouchers and referrals to The Hanger (Clothes Bank).
Women complained about lethargy brought on by a poor diet. Although the food banks mean they don’t have to starve, the lack of fresh produce means the women are surviving on processed food only for weeks at a time. This is leaving them feeling tired and bad tempered where previously this had not been an issue.
Emotional health seems to have taken the biggest impact. One woman said “I just want to hide under a blanket these days”. The consensus was the women are feeling morbid with regard to their own futures and those of their children,
23
anxious, stressed and depressed. There is a strong sense that things are going to get worse and this is causing an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Survey Responses
3.35
Survey responses were received from 48 women, with 26 completing the
online Survey Monkey & 22 filling in paper copies of the questionnaire. In addition, 1 individual detailed response on the issues was received.
Welfare Reform 3.36
The various welfare reforms were found to have had a significant impact on
the women, with over a quarter of respondents (27%) saying they were now expected to pay the ‘bedroom tax’, & the same number having to pay council tax for the first time. Seven women (14.5%) had lost entitlement to ESA or DLA, & 8 women (17%) lost Housing Benefit. ‘I lost all my DLA & Motability car, causing isolation & increased pressure on family/friends to take me everywhere & do shopping for me. There’s a sense of powerlessness & degree of depression.’ ‘The stress of benefit changes, as well as the DWP not recognising fibromyalgia as a serious illness, has led to an increase in my symptoms, & has gone on for over a year.’ ‘I’m extremely concerned I won’t be able to afford to pay my bills & may face eviction thanks to the bedroom tax. My kids are the same sex so should be sharing, but I was given a 3-bed in a hard-to-let area & the council okayed it. I’m entitled to Housing Benefit due to low wages, but I’m terrified the new rules will threaten me onto the work programme, because I can’t do any more hours. Not to mention I’m public sector so face losing my job through cuts after spending 15 years training & working my way up, despite being bipolar.’ ‘I had actually tried to commit suicide & was in Stoddart House, & they stopped my entitlement as I did not attend a health interview.’ 24
‘Since it has been confirmed that her benefits would be stopping, my mother has been at the end of her rope for fear of ending up homeless. She has had panic attacks, barricaded herself in her room & has had thoughts of suicide.’ Caring 3.37
Older women reported that they are increasingly expected to provide unpaid
childcare for grandchildren in order that their children can continue to work. Not all grandmothers are happy to “go back to being a mother” but feel a sense of guilt and an obligation to provide assistance to their children. ‘I have to mind my grandchildren, one of which is autistic. The mother cannot afford nursery fees.’ 3.38
Other caring issues noted included the need to support adult children, and
being a lone parent ‘I still support my 20 year old as she can only get part time work for £80.50 but lost payments for her and also have a 17 year old with Asperger’s who seems to need more care as she gets older plus the cost of living has gone up.’ ‘More stressed anxious and getting a lot of headaches as a single parent it’s not easy, have not eaten myself to feed my children, always struggling to pay bills borrow off family to try to keep up with different payments.’
Employment Issues 3.39
The survey, particularly the on-line version, received more responses from
women affected by employment issues then affected by welfare reform, with respondents reporting significant issues relating to employment. 10 women (21%) had lost their job, over a third of women (37.5%) reported less job security, 10 women (21%) had had to increase their hours or take a second job in order to make ends meet, & 6 women (12.5%) turned to self-employment. A third of women (33%) said that they had an increased work-load for the same amount of pay. 25
‘I am beyond tired from working 70 hours a week just to pay the bills. I am at the point of giving up.’ ‘I have increased anxiety due to worrying about job security & how to meet financial demands. Feeling of helplessness.’ ‘Massive job insecurity, looming redundancy for the staff I manage, huge impact on mental health of all the organisation.’ Services 3.40
7 women (14.5%) stated that they had lost a health, social care or support
service that they had previously relied upon, with all of those women citing the reason for this as being a change in eligibility criteria. Women gave examples of services they had lost as being a community psychiatric nurse, mental health support worker, social services, access to acute mental health care, & a mental health day service. ‘I now have no overnight carers, not even once a week, to stop me slumping into suicidal lows.’ ‘There’s no help with childcare, children’s centres closing & less chances to socialise with adults.’ Daily Life 3.41
34 out of the 48 women (71%) said that they had less money coming in than
they used to have. For over half of those women (52%), this had seriously limited their ability to afford necessities, with 19 women (39.5%) unable to afford food or fuel. Being in debt was reported by 16 women (33%), & 13 (27%) were behind with paying bills. A move to less expensive accommodation had affected 9 women (19%), with the same number seeing their caring responsibilities increased. The women also talked of wages only being enough to cover childcare costs, having to look after grandchildren, lack of access to services, & effects on mental health. ‘I have less food to eat’ 26
‘I can’t heat my property in winter’ Physical & Mental Health 3.42
Women spoke of not feeling able to take time off work when they felt sick, of
tiredness, headaches, upset stomachs and high blood pressure. ‘Worse diet, lot of upset stomachs, headaches, tiredness.’ ‘Increased IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) issues.’
‘I get sick about once every two months, before living in these
3.43
In terms of mental health, women talked of sleeplessness, stress, anxiety,
worry, depression, and feeling overwhelmed, isolated and suicidal. ‘The constant calls to the Job Centre brought my depression to the fore. My medication was increased & it mad home life particularly bad for my partner & children. I was constantly crying & shouting.’ ‘I can’t be bothered with anything. Sometimes even the smallest thing seems like too much effort. The job search is horrendous & I still have to sign on & do 5 hours job-searching a day just for my national insurance stamp.’ Where to go for Advice & Support 3.44
A wide range of organisations were mentioned as a place to go for support,
although 8 (16.6%) women said there was nowhere to go & everyone was in the same boat. 6 women mentioned the CAB, but 5 of these also noted that the service is overworked & therefore not so able to assist. 7 women spoke of support from family & friends. 5 women had found the services at WHISC helpful, 4 used St Andrew’s Community Network, 3 mentioned Merseyside Welfare Rights, & 3 their GP. Healthwatch, psychologist, CPN, peer support, internet forums & counselling were each mentioned by 1 person. 27
Section 4: Discussion & Conclusion
Women are suffering from cuts to their jobs, benefits & services that support women’s everyday lives. The measures are undermining women’s hard-won rights to protection from violence & access to justice…There is a growing likelihood that women will be the ones left ‘filling the gaps’ as state services are withdrawn. (Liverpool Public Health Observatory, 2012)
4.1
Over the course of the Task & Finish Group, 40 individual responses were
received from women, as well as 2 focus groups being held. Although these can only be a snapshot of Liverpool women’s experiences of austerity, a clear picture emerged of loss of welfare benefits, women losing their job or having less job security, loss of services that promote long-term health & wellbeing, increased cost of living, greater food & fuel poverty, increased debt, increased use of Foodbanks, & increased caring responsibilities. Poverty is both a determinant & consequence of mental health problems, & women described a huge impact on their emotional wellbeing, whether this was causing them mental distress for the first time or exacerbating existing issues. 4.2
Many of the findings from this Task & Finish Group point to recommendations
that are outside the remit of the What Women Want Group or, indeed, other local bodies, dealing as they do with issues of national governmental policy. Task and Finish Group members accept that Liverpool City Council has been placed in an unfair financial position through national and international circumstances beyond its control, and that it has made and must continue to make some very difficult decisions. The same is true to a lesser extent for NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group.
28
4.3
Group members also note, however, that public authorities have legal
obligations to promote equality and not to breach human rights26. In order to do this effectively, they need to consider the potential impact of all budget cuts on equality and human rights and to carefully monitor the actual impact of the cuts, recognising the health inequalities that exist & the disenfranchisement of women. Although the Equality Duty exists, there seems to be a reluctance to conduct detailed Equality Impact Assessments. 4.4
During the course of the Task & Finish Group it was difficult to find data that
was disaggregated according to gender, & improvement in this area would increase the ability to conduct Equality Impact Assessments effectively. It is not acceptable to add inequity to any already disproportionately affected group, including women. 4.5
Some women said that they did not have access to information or advice that
might help their situation, whilst a significant minority described feelings of hopelessness that nothing could help & there was no advice or support available. Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, recognising they have a duty to reduce health inequalities, has incorporated anti-poverty approaches into the Primary Mental Health Care Strategy for Adults by offering access to welfare advice & debt management in GP practice for those who face the double jeopardy of low income & poor health. There has also been the introduction of the Wellbeing Liverpool web resource. This approach, with its aim of increasing community resilience by developing practical strategies with individuals, is to be welcomed.
26
Stephenson, M & Harrison E (2011) Unravelling Equality? A Human Rights & Equality Impact Assessment of the Public Spending Cuts on Women in Coventry, Warwick: Coventry Women’s Voices/Centre for Human Rights in Practice
29
Section 5: Recommendations 1. Develop systems for the disaggregation of data by gender in order to inform needs analysis & equality impact assessment Relevant to: Liverpool City Council, frontline health, advice & support services 2. Carry out detailed Equality Impact Assessments on all proposed recommissioning or retraction of services Relevant to: Liverpool City Council, Liverpool CCG 3. Effective partnerships between statutory health & social care providers, & specialist welfare & advice services in the voluntary sector should continue to be developed Relevant to: GPs, Inclusion Matters, Mersey Care Trust, advice & support services 4. Professionals should have knowledge of local welfare & advice support organizations and the services they offer Relevant to: GPs, Inclusion Matters, Mersey Care, & Liverpool Community Health 5. Information, in a range of formats & languages, about local advice & support services should be available within primary & secondary health care settings Relevant to: GPs, Inclusion Matters, Mersey Care, & Liverpool Community Health 6. Consider in any future planning the rise in caring responsibilities resulting from the impact of austerity measures Relevant to: Liverpool City Council, Liverpool CCG, Service Managers 7. Recommendations from this report should be: o Aligned with existing strategies, such as the Early Help Strategy & forthcoming Parenting Strategy o Revisited & reviewed to evaluate progress
30
Section 6: References
Brown, L (2014) After International Women’s Day: The Problem with Women www.sevenstreets.com/international-womens-day-problem-women
Corbett, J & Kushner, B (2014) The Impact of Welfare Reforms on the People of Liverpool – from the Budget Reports Pack
Duffy, S (2014) Counting the Cuts: What the Government doesn’t want the Public to Know, The Centre for Welfare Reform
Engender (2014) Gender & ‘Welfare Reform’ in Scotland: A Joint Position Paper
Fawcett Society (2012) The Impact of Austerity on Women, Fawcett Society Policy Briefing
James, L & Patiniotis, J (2013) Women at the Cutting Edge: Why Public Sector Spending Cuts in Liverpool are a Gender Equality Issue, Liverpool John Moores University
Jones, A et al (2013), North West Mental Wellbeing Survey 2012/13, Public Health England
Liverpool City Council (2013) Liverpool Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2013 2014
Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (2013) Liverpool Primary Mental Health Care Strategy for Adults 2013 - 2016
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium (2013) Wellbeing in Hard Times
Locality/Joseph Rowntree Foundation http://locality.org.uk/news/decline-startingshow-cuts-hit-debts-mount/
McRobie, H (2013) Austerity & Domestic Violence: Mapping the Damage www.opendemocracy.net
Mitchell, M et al (2013) Implications of Austerity for LGBT People & Services, NatCen Social Research
Praxis (2012) The Impact of Social Welfare changes on the Citizens Advice Service in Liverpool
Stephenson, M & Harrison E (2011) Unravelling Equality? A Human Rights & Equality Impact Assessment of the Public Spending Cuts on Women in Coventry, Warwick: Coventry Women’s Voices/Centre for Human Rights in Practice
31
Trussell Trust (March 2014) Trussell Trust Foodbank End of Financial Year Figures: North West
Wahlbeck, K & McDaid, D (2012) Actions to Alleviate the Mental Health Impact of the Economic Crisis, World Psychiatry 11:139-145
Williams, Z (2014) It’s the Cumulative Impact of Benefit Cuts that is Shocking, The Guardian, 19th Feb 2014
Winters, L, McAteer, S & Scott-Samuel, A (2012) Assessing the Impact of the Economic Downturn on Health & Wellbeing, Liverpool Public Health Observatory: Observatory Report Series No. 88
World Health Organisation: Gender Disparities & Mental Health: The Facts
32
Appendix 1: Task & Finish Group Members
Afrah Qassim
Community Development Worker, Inclusion Matters
Andy Kerr
Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group
Claire Stevens
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium (LMHC)
Diane Foulston
Barnardo’s Volunteer
Diane Middleman
Independent
Gail Jordan
LCVS
Jess Thalrose
WHISC
Kathy Devlin
Beacon Counselling Trust
Louise Wardale
Barnardo’s
Margaret Brown
Mersey Care NHS Trust
Margaret Lake
Irish Community Care Merseyside
Sarah Butler-Boycott
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium (LMHC)
Sharon Cooper
Women’s Turnaround, PSS
Sue Neely
Public Health, Liverpool City Council
Lydia Jones
St Andrew’s Network
Lynn Beckett
Independent
Margaret Brown
Mersey Care
Margaret Lake
Irish Community Care Merseyside
Sarah Butler-Boycott
Liverpool Mental Health Consortium
Sue Neely
Liverpool City Council, Public Health
Vicky Haynes
Inclusion Matters Liverpool
Vicky Ponsonby-Martin
St Andrew’s Network/North Liverpool Foodbank
33
Appendix 2: Focus Group, Questionnaire & Online Survey Questions
1. Have any of the following Welfare Reforms affected you?
Reduction in benefit payments of Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
Reduction in benefit payments of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Lost entitlement to ESA or DLA (or its replacement, Personal Independence Payment)
Moved from the ESA ‘support group’ to ‘work-related activity’ group
Expected to pay the ‘Bedroom Tax’
Lost entitlement to Housing Benefit
Had to start paying Council Tax for the first time
2. Have any of the following Employment issues affected you?
Reduction in hours of employment
Less job security
Lost job
Lost entitlement to Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
Had to increase your hours of work or take a second job
Increased work-load for the same amount of pay
Had to become self-employed
3. a) Have you lost any health, social care or support services that you used to receive?
b) Is this because the service was closed or because eligibility for the service has changed?
c) Which services were these?
34
4. Has the change to your benefits or employment impacted on your daily life in any of the following ways?
Less money coming in than you used to have
Ability to afford necessities
Behind with payment of bills
In debt
Inability to afford food or fuel
Moving to less expensive accommodation
Increased caring responsibilities
5. Are there any other issues to do with the impact of austerity measures that you would like to tell us about?
6. In what ways have all or any of these issues affected your physical health? 7. In what ways have all or any of these issues affected your emotional health? 8. Where do you go for advice, support or practical help with these issues?
35
Appendix 3: Survey Responses Surveys were completed by 16 women using WHISC services, 6 women using services provided by St Andrews Network/North Liverpool Foodbank and by 26 women online. These 48 responses are collated below.
1.
Have any of the following Welfare Reforms affected you?
•
Reduction in benefit payments of Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) Yes x 6 (12.5%) Reduction in benefit payments of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Yes x 6 (12.5%) Lost entitlement to ESA or DLA/PIP Yes x 7 (14.5%) Moved from the ESA ‘support group’ to ‘work-related activity’ group Yes x 3 (6%) Expected to pay the ‘Bedroom Tax’ Yes x 13 (27%) Lost entitlement to Housing Benefit Yes x 8 (17%) Had to start paying Council Tax for the first time Yes x 13 (27%)
• • • • • •
2.
Have any of the following Employment issues affected you?
•
Reduction in hours of employment Yes x 8 (17%) Less job security Yes x 18 (37.5%) Lost job Yes x 10 (21%) Lost entitlement to Working/Child Tax Credit Yes x 7 (14.5%) Had to increase your hours of work/take a second job Yes x 10 (21%) Increased work-load for the same amount of pay Yes x 16 (33%) Had to become self-employed Yes x 6 (12.5%)
• • • • • •
3.
a) Have you lost any health, social care or support services that you used to receive? Yes x 7 (14.5%) 36
b) Is this because the service was closed or because eligibility for the service has changed? Closed x 1 (2%), Changed x 7 (14.5%) c)
Which services were these?
• • •
ESA Prescriptions CPN – taken off list without GPs knowledge while in crisis and needing help Mental health support worker from a charity (Stonham) finished – time limit of 1 year for help Taken off Mary Seacole list in error so no support at all Mental Health services - they won't admit it, but there's a higher threshold for acute care, community mental health teams, all of it, now This was for a neurological issue in NHS which has now become time limited Social services closed my case saying they could no longer help
• • • • • 4.
Has the change to your benefits or employment impacted on your daily life in any of the following ways?
• • • • • • •
Less money coming in than you used to have x 34 (71%) Ability to afford necessities x 25 (52%) Behind with payment of bills x 13 (27%) In debt x 16 (33%) Inability to afford food or fuel x 19 (39.5%) Moving to less expensive accommodation x 9 (19%) Increased caring responsibilities x 9 (19%)
5.
Are there any other issues to do with the impact of austerity measures that you would like to tell us about? ‘I had actually tried to commit suicide & was in Stoddard House…& they stopped my entitlement as I did not attend a health interview.’ ‘Yes, I had been unemployed for a number of years. As a mother of 5, I was affected badly by the benefit cap. I have since gained employment but unfortunately my wages now only cover my child care costs and will continue until my twins go to full time school in Sept.’ ‘Not able to afford proper heating, having to cut out or cut down on paying for everyday items like clothes etc.’ ‘No overnight carer, even once a week, to stop slumping into suicidal lows’
37
‘Unable to move from present place because of long term disability with severe injuries, a private landlord & can’t move to Property Pool accommodation until I’ve recovered from the injuries. This has repercussions for housing benefit.’ ‘No access to talking therapies or adequate help from the NHS to regain health when I’m severely dysfunctional with several mental health issues (PTSD, eating disorder, severe anxiety, clinical depression, OCD, clinical stress) & also physical health illnesses.’ ‘I am only better off now that I am a pensioner’ ‘Women are foregoing food to feed their kids’ ‘People have to choose to heat or eat’ ‘Foodbanks are rampant’ ‘Yes, I have to mind my grandchildren – one of which is autistic. Mother cannot afford nursery fees.’ ‘Impact on mental health of a culture of uncertainty and insecurity. Increase in anxiety.’ ‘The impact of the cuts in the welfare system have had severe effects on people's mental health & general well-being in a detrimental way.’ ‘Yes, just when I've sorted out mine & my son's finances, the DWP start hassling us to make a new claim/review our claims. It just piles on more stress than there already is, making a bad situation even worse.’ ‘As a pensioner relying for income from the interest from my savings, I have suffered from the low bank interest rates for years. Savers are discriminated against. My income is LESS than if I was in receipt of means tested benefits. Because I have been responsible & saved, I am disqualified from means tested benefits.’ ‘Work part-time due to disability, but have lost Working Tax Credit due to change in threshold. This has a knock-on effect in terms of now having to pay for prescriptions, dentist, glasses etc. Pay has not gone up for years; price of everything else has risen. Struggle to pay for everything, particularly at end of month. Have cut back on everything I can - cheaper food, not going out at all, not buying anything apart from necessities, not flushing the toilet every time etc. etc. - but still can't make ends meet.’ ‘I still support my 20 year old as she can only get part-time work for £80.50 but lost payments for her & also have a 17 year old with
38
Asperger’s who seems to need more care as she gets older, plus the costs of living has gone up.’ ‘The private landlord stranglehold. I live in a flat with bad electrics, mould & in a shocking state of disrepair. I can't afford to move.’ ‘Depression caused by inability to find work, no help with childcare due to family income. Money worries, children's centres closing = less chances to socialise with adults.’ ‘As a mother of a young daughter I was made redundant - I decided to return to college but worked a few hours to help with bills - I started paying bedroom tax & had to leave college because I could not afford to live - I became self-employed & work longer hours but still had to give up my house, moving back in with parents - I am 33 & feel that I should be able to live independently.’ ‘Lost all DLA & Motability car, causing isolation & increased pressure on friends/family to take me everywhere & do shopping for me. Sense of powerlessness & a degree of depression.’ ‘Threat hanging over my head of losing DLA when PIP is applied to me, losing tax credits because of this will make work impossible to continue.’ ‘Being made redundant from my teaching job.’ ‘As CEO of a charity, my levels of anxiety have never been higher because of lack of funding.’ ‘After losing my job, I found I was not entitled to benefits after 26 weeks because I was made redundant & had a lump sum. To cap that, I only received 50% of the amount anyway because my work pension kicked in as well.’ ‘The stress of benefit changes, as well as DWP not recognising fibromyalgia as a serious illness, has led to increased symptoms, & has gone on for over a year.’ ‘I suffer with depression & could not cope with the constant changes & interviews initiated by Job Centre Plus. It was easier for me to come off these benefits & to become my partner’s full-time carer. This meant a reduction financially but lifted a lot of mental strain.’
39
6.
In what ways have all or any of these issues affected your physical health? ‘I have since been committed & I am now on basic money whilst my solicitor appeals’ ‘Yes, I suffer with extreme tiredness & fatigue’ ‘Because of small private pension I can’t claim pension credits so have to pay for dental treatment & opticians.’ ‘My physical health has considerably worsened with my financial situation & difficulty getting the benefits & even more difficulty sorting out a DSS error in my benefits that the DSS are trying to blame me for & as a result of stress & extremely bad mental health issues.’ ‘Can’t heat my property in the winter’ ‘Less food to eat’ ‘Floundering with bills’ ‘I find it very hard to breathe & run around after 2 & 5 year-old & 11 year-old autistic child’ ‘Stress & anxious about earning more money’ ‘Lower immunity, catching bugs more’ ‘Stress of increased workloads. Not feeling like I can take time off when sick.’ ‘Increased workload when not physically well enough to cope’ ‘I'm incredibly stressed which makes me feel totally drained, anxious & tired all the time.’ ‘I would have been able to afford to buy & maintain a more suitable house - a bungalow as I am disabled’ ‘Worse diet, lot of upset stomachs, headaches, tiredness’ ‘Increased IBS issues.’ ‘More stressed, anxious & getting a lot of headaches. As a single parent it’s not easy, have not eaten myself to feed my children, always tired & struggling to pay bills borrow of family to try to keep up with different payments’ ‘I get sick about once every 2 months - before living in these poor conditions, I used to get sick possibly once a year.’ ‘Weight gain, lack of exercise as most activities are to be paid for’ ‘Tired a lot’ 40
‘Inability to get to gym where I had a programme of exercises to retain joint mobility resulted in increased pain, weight gain & reduced joint mobility.’ ‘I have CFS/ ME & currently going through a severe relapse with 8 weeks off work, & causing heart problems’ ‘Anxiety & stress.’ ‘Very stressful, depressing, anxious’ ‘Stress makes me comfort eat, which isn't good as I was already overweight. Disturbed sleep, headaches, neck pain, as a result of stress.’ ‘I can’t be bothered with anything. Sometimes even the smallest thing seems like too much effort. The job search is horrendous & I still have to sign on & do 5 hours job searching a day just for my NI stamp.’ ‘Increased
pain
&
depression
-
the
doctor
has
doubled
my
antidepressants.’ ‘I have lost my job – Due to mental health problems, they questioned my ability to complete tasks within my job.’ ‘As the decrease in money is biting in, my blood pressure is increasing once more.’ 7.
In what ways have all or any of these issues affected your emotional health? ‘Worse than I was before’ ‘Depression…as constantly struggling to make ends meet & still cannot afford to feed myself’ ‘You worry about paying for all your bills & sometimes not enough money for food’ ‘My already bad mental health is actually worsening & has considerably worsened as a result of the benefit-claiming difficulties & physical ill health. My worries about housing, trying to stay alive, have considerably worsened my emotional health.’ ‘Yes, I worry about the Bedroom Tax & the length of time I still have to pay it. Also Council Tax.’ ‘Poverty & inequality affects mental, physical & emotional health’ ‘Once got dates & payments mixed up for paying bedroom tax’ ‘Very, very badly’ ‘More stress, more worry, low mood’ 41
‘More stressed, become less organised, think of work all the time, not wanting to go to work’ ‘Anxiety’ ‘Increased anxiety due to worrying about job security & how to meet future financial demands. Feeling of helplessness.’ ‘Feeling overwhelmed by increased workload. Fear & worry of the effect on those who have experienced cuts & job losses & loss of benefits.’ ‘Worrying all the time about making enough to live on’ ‘Stress, anxiety’ ‘I am unhappy with the unfairness of people who spend all their money being entitled to all the benefits, whilst those of us who have responsibly saved all our lives are worse off than they are!’ ‘Serious
worry
&
anxiety
about
finances,
increased
depression,
sleeplessness, more isolated’ ‘Developed depression & anxiety & now on anti-depressants as a result.’ ‘Stressed, anxious, getting a lot of headaches as to if my salary is going to last the month to keep the roof over our heads’ ‘I am beyond tired of working 70 hours a week just to pay bills. I am at the point of giving up.’ ‘Depression’ ‘Unable to concentrate, anxiety’ ‘Depression, social isolation, a tremendous sense of powerlessness & frustration at the injustice.’ ‘Deeply, feeling extremely concerned I won’t be able to afford to pay my bills & may face eviction thanks to bedroom tax, due to my kids being same sex, so should be sharing, but I was given a 3 bed in a hard to let area because no one else would take it & the council okayed it. I’m entitled to HB due to low wages but terrified the new rules threaten me onto a work programme because I can’t do any more hours. Not to mention I’m public sector so face losing job through cuts after spending 15 years training & working my way up, despite being bipolar.’ ‘Very stressful.’ ‘The worry about financial security is having serious consequences for my husband & I. He is refusing to have a second child & drinks heavily, is depressed & will not socialize or spend time with our son or myself. It's very hard to carry on each day, even though on the surface all is well. We 42
may not make it as a couple & it seems that money is at the root of these worries. Very sad.’ ‘Very stressful worry depressing’ ‘Massive job insecurity, looming redundancy for staff I manage - huge impact on mental health of all in the organisation. As CEO, the stress on me has been enormous - constant anxiety, disturbed sleep, tension.’ ‘Depression.’ ‘I feel I’m not taken seriously when I declare my illness.’ ‘It made me feel suicidal.’ ‘The constant calls to the Job Centre brought my depression to the fore. My medication was increased & it made home life particularly bad for my partner & children. I was constantly crying & shouting. It was not a good home-life for anyone.’ 8.
Where do you go for advice, support or practical help with these issues?
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
WHISC x 5 CAB (but they’re overworked & can’t help properly now) x 6 St Andrews Community Network x4 Nowhere x 6 Merseyside Welfare Rights x 3 GP x 3 Stonham Housing Healthwatch (but their help is now severely curtailed) Need help finding out where to go x 1 Family, friends, peers or employers x 9 Psychologist CPN ‘Save Our Savers’ organisation newsletter, e-newsletters from the Daily Mail's ‘This is Money’ & ‘Martin's Money Tips’ Previously has counselling through NHS which is very limited. I cannot afford to pay privately. Healthwatch Liverpool have been very helpful & informative. Have always been self-dependent as a single parent for the last 18 years I don’t' like others sticking their noses in where it is nothing to do with them as I found with various things to try to help my youngest just made matters 10 times worse so I deal with my own problems and ask family for help when needed Legal advisor at a solicitor Internet forums Counselling
• •
• • •
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Appendix 4: Local Organisations Providing Advice & Support Services
Advocacy Works
liverpooladvocacyworks@shap.org.uk
0151 707 9987
Beacon Counselling Trust Gambling Support gamcare@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk 0151 321 1099 Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Advice Line: 0344 848 7700
Family Refugee Support Project frspliverpool@yahoo.co.uk Healthwatch
enquiries@healthwatchliverpool.co.uk
0151 728 9340 0300 77007
Liverpool City Council Carer’s Assessment
0151 233 3800
Local Solutions Carers Centre
0151 705 2307
info@localsolutions.org.uk
Mary Seacole House Advocacy simon@maryseacolehouse.com
0151 707 0319
Merseyside Welfare Rights
0151 708 7770
Neurosupport Benefit Advice Service RAISE Benefits Advice Team
info@neurosupport.org.uk
0151 298 2999
admin@benefitsadviceteam.co.uk
0151 482 2475
St Andrew’s Community Network enquiries@standrewslive.org.uk
0151 226 1977
WHISC
0151 707 1826
whiscoutreach@btconnect.com
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