Real voices

Paul Lindley, author of 'Raising the Nation', states that while the government has made progress on children’s wellbeing, urgent action is still needed. …Read more

Andries Baart and Guus Timmerman, authors of 'Relational Caring and Presence Theory in Health Care and Social Work', argue that a relational approach based on genuine connection and understanding offers a strong response to growing disconnection and social dissatisfaction.…Read more

Katie Pybus, author of 'Fairer Welfare Systems for Better Mental Health', shows how planned cuts to disability benefits risk worsening mental health and poverty, highlighting the need for a more compassionate, evidence-based social security system.…Read more

Paul Spicker, author of 'What Is the Welfare State For?', highlights how ‘incentives’ are misused to shift blame onto individuals and justify benefit cuts, rather than tackling systemic issues.…Read more

Brenda Fitzpatrick, author of 'Tactical Rape in War and Conflict', highlights how in Sudan, widespread sexual violence, famine, and mass displacement are ravaging millions, as wealthy nations cut aid and turn their backs on their moral obligations.…Read more

In early 2025, Israel’s ongoing destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system was exposed as 'medelacide', the deliberate targeting of medical infrastructure.…Read more

Nicola Madge, author of 'Lockdown Life', shows how the pandemic overlooked older people as a valuable resource, focusing only on their vulnerability.…Read more

Margaret Heffernan explores the debate over AI's impact on the arts, highlighting how AI threatens artists' livelihoods while undervaluing the crucial creativity and innovation that artists bring to society.…Read more

Stewart Lansley, author of 'The Richer, The Poorer', discusses how Labour's planned disability benefit cuts reflect a return to austerity, risking economic stagnation, social decline, and political fallout. …Read more

Mariia Makarova discusses how highly qualified Ukrainian refugees in the UK struggle with underemployment due to language barriers, unrecognised qualifications, visa limitations, and employer bias, despite their resilience and determination to rebuild their careers. …Read more