Patrick Butler
@patrickjbutler
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Social policy editor, The Guardian.
London
Joined December 2009
My Guardian story: Inner City London authorities (and some northern towns) with high levels of poverty the big losers from council funding shakeup, says @TheIFS
theguardian.com
Ministers face backlash after analysis of proposed shake-up finds more than 10% drop in finance for some areas
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Govt dropped planned cuts to PIP, but today's Committee report highlights MPs' concerns that thousands of disabled people will be pushed into poverty by remaining cuts to Universal Credit's health element. In evidence to the inquiry I warned of the hardship this will cause. 1/5
My Guardian story: Tens of thousands at risk of poverty despite Labour’s benefit U-turn, cross-party MPs committee warns
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"Humanity and connection are what callers crave, and what Samaritans provides. Yet it is in danger of becoming more like the wider world, and less like itself": powerful piece on the proposed Samaritans charity cuts, by former volunteer Peter Ormerod.
theguardian.com
Branches to close, volunteers in ‘regional hubs’, some working from home. It will be bad for them and for the desperate people seeking help, says journalist Peter Ormerod
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My Guardian story: Tens of thousands at risk of poverty despite Labour’s benefit U-turn, cross-party MPs committee warns
theguardian.com
Changes to welfare reforms not enough to protect newly sick and disabled people from financial hardship
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I used to run a big city "Nightline", an off-shoot of the Samaritans, aimed at students. Many of our callers needed to come in, see someone in person, perhaps needed an ambulance. We took hard calls. We needed each other for support. How do you do this work from home? Awful.
"Life, death and ginger biscuits": my Guardian analysis on how the proposed Samaritans closures highlight the brutal financial realities facing UK charities
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"Life, death and ginger biscuits": my Guardian analysis on how the proposed Samaritans closures highlight the brutal financial realities facing UK charities
theguardian.com
Household names are having to take drastic action as they lack resources to meet rising demand for their services
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More voluntary sector cuts: Samaritans to close at least 100 branches across UK and Ireland https://t.co/sXSKkMfaC5 via @JournoJess_
theguardian.com
Mental health charity announces plans to move volunteers into larger regional hubs and pilot remote call handling
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Lovely obituary of my former Guardian colleague Malcoln Dean, by another former colleague John Carvel.
theguardian.com
Founder of the Guardian’s Society section who stood for the SDP/Liberal Alliance in the 1983 and 1987 general elections
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I am very, very sorry to hear this. A long time ago, when I had just joined @TheHowardLeague, I met Malcolm and, apropos of nothing, he said to me: "you write extremely good press releases, Andrew". It made my month.
My esteemed former colleague Malcolm Dean, creator of the Guardian's legendary Society section, has died, aged 86.
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My esteemed former colleague Malcolm Dean, creator of the Guardian's legendary Society section, has died, aged 86.
theguardian.com
Journalist covered social care, criminal justice and other policy topics in a distinguished career
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Charities must be free to campaign on behalf of their cause/client group so this Covenant is welcome. Key are actions - eg. no longer not consulting disability charities & cutting benefits. Partnership between government & charities matters @patrickjbutler
https://t.co/pUO1VosPaB
theguardian.com
Agreement between government and voluntary sector aims to reset relations after erosion of trust under Tories
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Carer's allowance latest: Overhaul "inadequate" carer's allowance benefit and axe "cliff edge" earnings limits, urges @resfoundation thinktank
theguardian.com
Resolution Foundation says unpaid carers on low incomes pay ‘very heavy price’ for looking after loved ones
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My Guardian story: Ministers to enshrine UK charities’ right to peaceful protest in new ‘covenant
theguardian.com
Agreement between government and voluntary sector aims to reset relations after erosion of trust under Tories
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Carer’s allowance latest: woman who won overpayments case against DWP calls for end to ‘sickening harassment’ https://t.co/fKTKXbOlz6 by @JoshHalliday
theguardian.com
Nicola Green, 42, speaks out after significant legal victory against department that accused her of fraud UK politics live – latest updates
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My ask of the Sayce review was that carers had the confidence to claim Carers Allowance without fear. You can see what happens when you get the wrong advice. It’s carers that ultimately suffer. ⬇️ https://t.co/GFcfHcaqsL
theguardian.com
Rose Jones, who cared for mother from age of eight, twice wrongly advised by work coach on joining DWP job scheme
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Carers allowance scandal latest: Young carer who unwittingly breached allowance rules forced to repay £2,000
theguardian.com
Rose Jones, who cared for mother from age of eight, twice wrongly advised by work coach on joining DWP job scheme
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Government to intervene in Croydon council as report warns of ‘financial crisis’ (and highlights risk of bankruptcy for fourth time in five years) https://t.co/O3B7cNMEAv via @JournoJess_
theguardian.com
Commissioners likely to run council, which report says is ‘heading for effective bankruptcy’ for fourth time since 2020
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My Guardian story with @RichardA and Abby West: Special educational needs spending has become a “burning platform," with scores of town halls facing bankruptcy as ministers dither over debts, say council leaders
theguardian.com
Exclusive: Councils say multibillion-pound debts caused by years of overspends on special educational needs support
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Ministers to offer olive branch on welfare plans to avert Labour rebellion << not convinced this is much of an olive branch or whether it will avert a rebellion https://t.co/nr2ul6gLC2 via @PippaCrerar
theguardian.com
Exclusive: Liz Kendall pledges sick and disabled people will be protected but MPs are pushing for more substantial changes to bill
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This #CarersWeek, I wanted to highlight the important work journalists do to help #unpaidcarers have a voice: https://t.co/YCj74IEWsh Thank you @patrickjbutler for your time and keep up the amazing work:) @JoshHalliday @CarersUK @guardian @PrivateEyeNews @WillowKaty @CarersTrust
numbereighteeninthecorner.blog
I’m going to say it again- unpaid carers are not heroes. We’re trapped, tired, and ignored. Some people who work at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) even think we’re crim…
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