PSC response to UN report on extreme poverty and human rights

The continued attack on the welfare state under this government is being held up to international scrutiny and demands a response from psychologists

PSC welcome the report by Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, on his visit to the United Kingdom. Although issues of causality are complex, there is significant evidence on the relationship between poverty, inequality and mental health difficulties. This report highlights the suffering that has been inflicted through the callous approach to austerity taken by the government since 2009.

It also recognises and gives voice to the impact that Universal Credit is having on people’s mental health, finances and work prospects. The continued attack on the welfare state under this government is being held up to international scrutiny and demands a response from psychologists.

Many professions have been drawn into pushing the austerity agenda, including psychologists. It is important to recognise ours' and others' roles, including psychology’s continuing contribution to exploitation and oppression in the form of ‘enhanced interrogation’ and workfare.

However, this report gives a firm foundation to organise around. In particular:

1) Austerity is not over and we still need to highlight it's pernicious effects

2) Universal Credit should be scrapped and we need to work with activists towards this goal

3) The continued cuts to local authorities are eroding a sense of community.
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Psychologists and others in positions of power working, purportedly, alongside those with less power, need to reach out to other professionals and activists and continue to work towards a just future that fulfils our commitments to truly promoting mental health and well-being.