Chris Blackett

Disabled leftist law grad. Trainee Solicitor. Former Social Welfare/Debt Advice Technical Supervisor. Geek. He/Him

[Matt Vaughan Wilson @MattleyVW]

Individual Voluntary Arrangements! Anyone with experience of debt advice will recognise this set of issues. People in vulnerable situations being advised to take out an expensive 5-year debt remedy against their best interests. 2 years on from our last report - still no better.

[FfionPearl ☘️🇮🇪 @PearlFion]

The FCA must raise the levy and provide more debt advice capability. Its desperately needed to prevent debt clients waiting weeks to be seen or taking up unsuitable IVAs, due to lack of #properdebtadvice
#RaiseTheLevy

[Responsible Credit @responsiblecred]

@MoneyPensionsUK has underestimated the true extent of Britain's debt problems. Our new analysis finds one in four adults in clear need of debt advice, equating to 13.5 million people - 5 million more than the MaPS estimate. It's time to #RaiseTheLevy
https://t.co/8ioV1r2WYU

[Kelly @broadwaybabyto]

Wait time for a disabled person to access medically assisted death in Canada? Three months.

A specialist for many TREATABLE conditions? 12-18 months.

Affordable housing? Multiple years.

Palliative care, psychiatric care & pain management? Good luck.

This is why we’re angry

[Jennifer A. Frey @jennfrey]

Assisted suicide bills are always sold to the public as increasing autonomy and preserving dignity when we all know they do the opposite: they prey on the weakest and most vulnerable among us, precisely by denying their inviolable dignity and seeing them as better off dead.

[John Stepek @John_Stepek]

Seriously, this is something else. It will soon be possible to be a graduate on minimum wage in the UK and face a 37% marginal tax rate (20% income tax, 8% NI, plus 9% uni fees repayment). Throw in auto-enrolment at 5% and 6% loan repay for postgrads and it's 48%

[Matt Vaughan Wilson @MattleyVW]

A powerful report on council tax debt from StepChange. The picture from @CitizensAdvice debt clients completely chimes with this. Inadequate financial support and punitive collection methods are pushing people into debt - government needs to look at these issues urgently.

[Tom Pollard @PollardTom]

The most striking aspect of these findings, beyond the sheer hardship people are enduring, is that inadequate benefits, rather than 'incentivising' people, fundamentally constrain their ability to overcome challenges & improve their circumstances https://t.co/UyBsCdd34v

[SHAC @SHAC_Action]

A whole sub-sector of social housing is largely ignored by lawmakers & regulators. In fact, those who rent from almshouses are not even considered tenants.

https://t.co/llyfcdJngi

Now, almshouse residents are fighting for their rights & invite other almshouse tenants to join them.

[Norn-Queen Kya @NornQueenKya]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought the real gem of #SpaceMarine2 was simply seeing their minis in action

[Matt Vaughan Wilson @MattleyVW]

2.25m households on Universal Credit get less income than they should due to deductions for debt. The system - advance loans in particular - quite literally creates and perpetuates problem debt for people on already low incomes. Change is well overdue.

[Chapter Master Valrak @CMValrak]

😂

[Michael AD @MichaelAD_Unite]

Extending household support fund is obviously better than not extending it.
But HSF is a sticking plaster.
People shouldn't have to go cap-in-hand begging to the council for help because central government won't provide adequate benefits, pensions and minimum wage.

[Timo Tjahjanto @Timobros]

Please watch this.

Absolutely my favorite horror series undisputed.

[Chris Blackett @CSBlackett]

Just finished the second Gaunt's Ghosts omnibus. Oh boy, Sabbat Martyr. Ruthless and brutal. My heart. What a book.

[Chris Blackett @CSBlackett]

Let's help Citizens Advice Sunderland rebuild after the horrific riots. https://t.co/K6plmgq0ex

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

Last night Citizens Advice Sunderland's office was badly damaged following riots in the city.

We're working with the team in Sunderland to provide support to them and help them be there for the people who need advice going forward.

Our services are closed on weekends (1/2)

[Chris Blackett @CSBlackett]

You know what they say, once a debt adviser...

[Chris Blackett @CSBlackett]

Today was my last day as a debt adviser and supervisor, as I move on to pastures new as a trainee solicitor. I take pride in the good work I've done and the hundreds of clients I've helped in the last five years.

[Chris Blackett @CSBlackett]

I can only hope I've trained those well enough I leave behind, to carry on giving the good quality advice and casework that is so desperately needed. It is a bittersweet goodbye, but maybe one day I will return - armed with new skills and knowledge to help those who need it.