Government in breach of Social Security Rights

Sylvie Rouhani Deputy Editor, Taxpayers Against Poverty 21 May 2025

On 25th April 2025, Amnesty UK published a damning report “Social Insecurity” describing, in details, how subsequent governments have progressively upheld abusive and punishing campaigns against disabled and unemployed UK citizens. It highlights, how the Government is in breach of social security rights.

What is Social Security?

Amnesty UK describes social security as follow: “Social security is money and support from the government to protect people who are in need.” Some of the social security in the UK: Pension, Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independent Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 24 million people receive social security payment in the UK.

How is the Government in breach of Social Security Rights?

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – 1948 (HDHR). “Everyone has the right to a decent standard of living, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and social services. “

Article 9 of the International Covenant on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) – 1976, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):” The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to social security, including social insurance.’

 Article 26, of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989: 

          1. States Parties shall recognize for every child the right to benefit from social security, including social insurance, and shall take the necessary measures to achieve the full realization of this right in accordance with their national law.

         2.The benefits should, where appropriate, be granted, considering the resources and the circumstances of the child and persons having responsibility for the maintenance of the child, as well as any other consideration relevant to an application for benefits made by or on behalf of the child.

The UN Committee on Economics, Social and Cultural Rights (CESR) highlights 3 core elements of the right to social security:

1.     Availability: Social security needs to be easily available to manage needs and to support those experiencing sickness, disability or unemployment.

2.     Adequacy: Social security needs to provide enough so all are able to have a good standard of living.

3.     Accessibility: Social security needs to be accessible to all; it needs to be transparent and non – discriminatory.

The Government is failing on all account.

1.     Information is complex and confusing. People aren’t always aware of their rights to claim and of their eligibility. There is little to no help to help them through the claiming process.

2.     Benefits have been cut or frozen while inflation has kept soaring, to the point when claimants can’t pay their bills, can’t buy food and can’t live a decent life. When first claiming Universal Credit, many wait for months before receiving their first payment, accumulating rent arrears and pushing them into deeper debts and poverty.

3.     Disabled and the poorest UK citizens are the one suffering the most, under the proposed drastic measures:

The Social Insecurity report declares: “Life costs more for disabled people These social security schemes still fail to meet the real needs of disabled individuals. Research by the disability equality organisation Scope found that even with both universal credit and PIP, many disabled people still experience significant financial shortfalls.212 Households with a disabled adult or child face additional costs of over £975 per month, and in some cases, this rises to £1,122 per month when adjusted for inflation.”

 It is evident, the UK social security system, at the present, does not maintain dignity and respect for UK Citizens. It erodes them and leaves its most vulnerable people in appalling living conditions that threaten their life itself.

With the failure of adhering to Social Security Rights, the UK is also breaching other Rights: the right to life, liberty and security; right to a fulfilling life; right to shelter and more, Austerity, discriminatory campaigns against unemployed, disabled and withholding financial help to those who need it the most, are stripping citizens of their most basic rights.

What needs to change?

Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.”

The Government needs to create a commission (a group of people who have been formally chosen to discover information about a problem or examine the reasons why the problem exists) to make big changes, such as:

·      Amends laws and consult those most affected by proposed laws.

·      Different parts of the government (Department for Work and Pension, Parliament) should work together.

·      Setting a clear plan on how to meet UN’s Human Rights and to check these rights are upheld.

·      Help courts to ensure government follow Human Rights rules.

·       Department for Work and Pension urgently needs to get rid of rules hurting people (limiting the number of children who can get benefits, applying unfair and punitive sanctions to unemployed individuals, conducting demeaning Work Capability Assessments.) and needs to build a safer and more compassionate social security system.

·      Parliament should look at how DWP perform their health checks to social security applicants. It also needs to look at why the government as not examined how its new rules affect human rights.

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Our Role in Creating Change

Taxpayers Against Poverty believes in social justice, adequate minimum income, affordable housing, and equitable economic policies for all. TAP is campaigning for a fairer wealth distribution for everyone to have the opportunity to build a fulfilling and secure life. It also fights to build a more compassionate society in which the most vulnerable are supported and cared for.

We cannot wait for someone else to act. It’s time to demand better for the millions struggling in poverty—and for the millions more living one unexpected expense away from it.

·      Join us in advocating for a compassionate, fairer society. Here’s how you can help:

·      Speak Up: Contact your MP and demand investment in social care, living wages, and affordable housing.

·      Get Involved: Volunteer or donate to organisations like TAP that fight for systemic change.

·      Stay Informed: Follow TAP’s work and share their message to build awareness.

Together, we can create a society where no one is left behind. Let’s make compassion the cornerstone of our nation’s future.

Sylvie Rouhani Deputy Editor, Taxpayers Against Poverty

May 2025