Wright, S. , Robertson, L. and Stewart, A. B. R. (2022) Universal Credit and the invalidation of mental health problems: claimant and Jobcentre Plus staff experiences. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 30(2), pp. 151-170. (doi: 10.1332/175982721X16437383460256)
![[img]](https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
266762.pdf - Accepted Version 408kB |
Abstract
Moving disabled people ‘off benefits and into work’ has been an explicit aim of work-first welfare reform since 2008, increasingly punitively since 2010. The aim of this article is to demonstrate, for the first time, how Universal Credit (UC) fits with and intensifies that strategy. Empirical data from 28 in-depth interviews with 19 claimants (nine were interviewed twice) and three focus groups with 23 Jobcentre staff show how UC full service applies mainstream job search conditionality to people with mental health problems. Ongoing fear of sanctions, financial hardship, surveillance and social isolation relating to digital design had adverse impacts, including for those without previous mental health problems.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Stewart, Dr Alasdair and Wright, Professor Sharon |
| Authors: | Wright, S., Robertson, L., and Stewart, A. B. R. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Poverty and Social Justice |
| Publisher: | Policy Press |
| ISSN: | 1759-8273 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1759-8281 |
| Published Online: | 24 February 2022 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2022 Policy Press |
| First Published: | First published in Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 30(2): 151-170 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information