Ben Baumberg Geiger

@benbgeiger.bsky.social

1354 Followers 361 Following

Social policy researcher (though sometimes pretends to be a philosopher), Prof co-leading WelfareExperiences project and kcl.ac.uk/csmh work & welfare strand. Was at @BenBaumberg at the other place.

Graph showing trends in different measures of mental health - GHQ caseness and MH limitations (a little) going up, but MH longstanding illness going up more

The Timms Review Interim Report on Personal Independence Payment includes findings from over 38,000 Call for Evidence responses. It finds PIP is valued but not fit for purpose. The final recommendations of the Review will be provided in the autumn.

44% of those in the intensive conditionality group say that 'being required to apply for jobs or take steps towards work' has made their mental health worse. This is also true of 35% only required to attend meetings, and 22% who have no requirements.

A chart showing how far the increase in the working-age disability caseload is due to an ageing population

Chart showing trends in out-of-work benefit claimants accounting for some (but not all) methodological changes - showing that 2023 levels are lower than 2013, lower than 1986, and much lower than the mid 1990s