Policy and advocacy

We call for change to tackle the causes and effects of poverty, homelessness and disadvantage.

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Influencing and advocating for change

Our vision is for an equal and just society, where the voices of those experiencing poverty, homelessness and disadvantage are heard, valued and acted upon. This is why our policy work and campaigns are rooted in our experience of accompanying and listening to people who access our services. 

We believe in the dignity of every human, that each person deserves to flourish and live life ‘to the full’. Therefore, policymaking and social structures must enable human flourishing.

Our aim

We want to drive and influence tangible and sustainable change for people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, helping them to transform their lives with dignity.

To do this, we advocate and campaign for changes to policies, systems and attitudes, working to raise awareness and understanding of the issues and the change that is needed. 

We also believe that all people have a right to participate in society, so we work to remove barriers and endeavour to ensure accessibility and participation in all aspects of society. Accessibility is a thread running through everything we do, including our policy areas.

Our core policy and advocacy priorities

Our policy and advocacy priorities are broken down into four areas which address both the causes and effects of poverty, homelessness and disadvantage. 

  • Poverty and disadvantage:

    We’re campaigning for an end to poverty and disadvantage, and calling for a ‘just economy’ in which everyone can reach their potential and live life ‘to the full’.

    What are we asking for?

    • Improved employment options, particularly for parents and people with disabilities, including an increase in minimum wage, more secure employment, and increased opportunities to access higher quality and better paid work.
    • Easier access to money and debt advice, with increased provision and visibility of free services.
    • Improved access to mental health services, with a focus on prevention as well as appropriate support for mental health crises. Trauma-informed, person-centred mental health support available to all without long wait times.
    • An end to the benefit cap and the two-child benefit limit.
    • A protected legal minimum amount of Universal Credit to cover the costs of essentials, with debt deductions not being allowed to reduce support below that level.
    • Reduced length of time taken for people to receive decisions about Personal Independence Payment claims, a simpler process to claim, and removal of the requirement for regular review of awards.
    • The introduction of a social tariff for energy for people on low-incomes and with disabilities or chronic conditions.
    • Accessible childcare to help parents in work by making the system simpler and expanding provision to parents working less than 16 hours, those in training and education, and those with no recourse to public funds.
  • Children and young people:

    We believe that all children and young people should be safe, have access to all that they need for their development, and have the opportunity to thrive.

    What are we asking for?

    • Expansion of free school meals to all primary age pupils.
    • Implementation of ‘Poverty Proofing’ in all schools. ‘Poverty Proofing’ is a tool to identify and remove barriers that prevent children from fully participating in school and reduce the stigma around poverty.
    • A reduction in school costs such as school trips, PE kits and uniforms, including an affordable uniform policy and no requirement for branded items.
    • An end to the benefit cap and the two-child benefit limit.
    • Education to be considered in decisions concerning temporary accommodation for families experiencing homelessness and Home Office dispersal accommodation for families seeking asylum.
    • Increased funding for schools to provide mental health support to children and young people.
  • Welcoming migrants and refugees:

    We believe in the importance of opportunities for positive integration into communities and empowering people to rebuild their lives in this country. We’re calling for an end to the hostile environment and discriminatory anti-refugee rhetoric.

    What are we asking for?

    • A repeal of the Illegal Migration Act, restoring the right to seek asylum no matter how someone arrives in the UK.
    • The increased 56 day move-on period from asylum support and accommodation to be made permanent, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and introducing to the Home Office a Duty to Refer for homelessness assistance.
    • The right to work for people seeking asylum after six months, unconstrained by the Shortage Occupation list. As part of this, we are signed up to the Lift the Ban coalition.
    • An end to the use of hotels as accommodation for people seeking asylum.
    • Leave to remain granted for all recognised survivors of slavery/human trafficking.
    • Increased funding for high quality English for Speakers of other Language classes and free access for all, including people seeking asylum and those who have had asylum claims refused.
    • Access to NHS services, and an end to upfront charging for secondary care.
    • Reform of the legal aid system, resulting in improved access to legal advice and representation, and the reinstating of legal aid for refugee family reunion.
  • Housing security and homelessness:

    We believe that having a secure home provides a sense of personal dignity and allows families and individuals to flourish.

    What are we asking for?

    • Building more affordable social housing, including housing which is accessible.
    • An end to the use of unsupported temporary accommodation (B&Bs) and an increase in safe, supported accommodation, which meets people’s individual needs (including people with physical, mental health, learning and communication needs).
    • The provision of temporary accommodation for families and single people that is close to people’s support networks, schools and services.
    • An end to rough sleeping, with every person at risk of rough sleeping being accommodated the same day while homelessness applications are being assessed, including for those not in priority need and those with restricted eligibility.
    • Survivors of slavery/human trafficking to be placed in priority need and exempt from local connection rules.
    • Suitable and sufficient emergency accommodation meeting minimum standards such as those set out in Manchester Homelessness Partnership’s standards, so that there can be an end to the use of night shelters and shared sleeping spaces.
    • Reforms for renters, including limiting rent increases during tenancies and higher quality of rented homes. As part of this, we welcome the introduction of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Good Landlord Charter.
    • Local Housing Allowance set in line with local rents and uplift benefit cap accordingly.
    • Ensuring that home adaptations made by Local Authorities are carried out with the requirements of the individual as a priority, not just cost considerations.
    • Addressing of the health inequalities experienced by people who are homeless by commissioning health services based within homelessness services and link workers to support people to access health services.

“I’d like to thank you for your help recently. I was in a really hard place but I’ve come out of it now and I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Person accessing our services

Two people behind a barrier with Caritas tshirts and flags

Take action in your community

There are lots of ways you can take action to support people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Your action, however big or small, really can change lives.

Find out more

  • Ways to take action – February policy update

  • Ways to take action – January policy update

  • Ways to take action – December policy update

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