Social policy editor, The Guardian.
London
Joined December 2009
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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/society/2025…
Patrick Butler retweeted
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 theguardian.com/politics/202…
"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/commentisfre…
My Guardian story: Tens of thousands at risk of poverty despite Labour’s benefit U-turn, cross-party MPs committee warns theguardian.com/politics/202…
Patrick Butler retweeted
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 theguardian.com/society/2025…
More voluntary sector cuts: Samaritans to close at least 100 branches across UK and Ireland theguardian.com/society/2025… via @JournoJess_
"Life, death and ginger biscuits": my Guardian analysis on how the proposed Samaritans closures highlight the brutal financial realities facing UK charities theguardian.com/society/2025…
Lovely obituary of my former Guardian colleague Malcoln Dean, by another former colleague John Carvel. theguardian.com/media/2025/j…
Patrick Butler retweeted
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. theguardian.com/media/2025/j…
My esteemed former colleague Malcolm Dean, creator of the Guardian's legendary Society section, has died, aged 86. theguardian.com/media/2025/j…
Patrick Butler retweeted
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
theguardian.com/society/2025…
Carer's allowance latest: Overhaul "inadequate" carer's allowance benefit and axe "cliff edge" earnings limits, urges @resfoundation thinktank theguardian.com/society/2025…
My Guardian story: Ministers to enshrine UK charities’ right to peaceful protest in new ‘covenant theguardian.com/society/2025…
Carer’s allowance latest: woman who won overpayments case against DWP calls for end to ‘sickening harassment’ theguardian.com/society/2025… by @JoshHalliday
Patrick Butler retweeted
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. ⬇️
theguardian.com/society/2025…
Carers allowance scandal latest: Young carer who unwittingly breached allowance rules forced to repay £2,000 theguardian.com/society/2025…
Government to intervene in Croydon council as report warns of ‘financial crisis’ (and highlights risk of bankruptcy for fourth time in five years) theguardian.com/society/2025… via @JournoJess_
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/education/20…
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 theguardian.com/politics/202… via @PippaCrerar
Patrick Butler retweeted
This #CarersWeek, I wanted to highlight the important work journalists do to help #unpaidcarers have a voice: numbereighteeninthecorner.bl…
Thank you @patrickjbutler for your time and keep up the amazing work:) @JoshHalliday @CarersUK @guardian @PrivateEyeNews @WillowKaty @CarersTrust
