Citizens UK

17 Jan 2025

Hello!👋We're delighted that Citizens UK has officially joined Bluesky. Citizens UK is the UK's biggest, most diverse, and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring everyday people together to win change on the issues that matter. Stay tuned for updates from Citizens UK!

Care work is skilled work, which requires you to be responsible for someone in their hour of need. No one taking on this responsibility should be paid the bare minimum. All care workers should be paid at least the real Living Wage. Find out more 👇 https://bit.ly/4y2Gc2b

youtu.beIryna - Extreme heat in the home - StoryThis Summer, communities across the UK faced some of the country’s ...

This Summer, communities across the UK faced some of the country’s hottest temperatures on record. 🌡️ Iryna, a Citizens UK leader and mum of two from West London, shares her experience of overheating 👇 https://youtu.be/u9sO_-DYeKk

With this Summer’s record-breaking temperatures, many of our homes have been too hot due to poor insulation. 🌡️

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bit.lyNearly half of young adults less happy in homes during heatwave - Citizens UKNearly half of young adults less happy in homes during heatwave, finds poll commissioned by Citizens UK.

People are being let down by Government and landlords who fail to repair their homes – an issue exacerbated by the extreme weather changes we see today. Read the full story 👉https://bit.ly/4zdcTei

That’s why we’re calling for real change that ensures every home is better equipped for the realities of our changing climate. Learn more about the campaign 👇https://bit.ly/47tTbPh

With this Summer’s record-breaking temperatures, many of our homes have been too hot due to poor insulation. 🌡️

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Findings also showed age being a factor, with nearly half of young adults (18-34) reporting that they were less happy in their homes during the heatwave.

As part of our Climate Justice campaign, we’ve been listening to communities across the country. Hot homes and disrepair are issues that come up again and again.

With this Summer’s record-breaking temperatures, many of our homes have been too hot due to poor insulation. 🌡️

To measure the effects, we commissioned polling from @survation.bsky.social (Aug 2026), finding that women were more likely than men to say they’d been made less happy at home by the recent heatwaves, producing a ‘heatwave gender gap’.

19 Aug

At Citizens UK, our values shape not just what we do, but how we do it. 🫶 Solidarity, kindness, courage, integrity, inclusion and relationality. Hear from our Senior Organiser, Tom Snape, about why kindness matters in our work. 💛

12 Aug

Children at Old Oak Primary School, part of West London Citizens, presented local politicians with collages representing their anger with dirty water polluting our rivers and seas and rising water bills. 🌊 Read the full article - https://ow.ly/eh1f50Zx73l

11 Aug

It was great to hear Anoosh Chakelian mention the success of the Living Wage campaign on The New Statesman's UK Politics podcast this week. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the campaign, which has grown into a national movement with real, measurable impact on people’s lives. 💫

10 Aug

Politics is far too important to be left to just the politicians – everyday people can and should shape the world around them. Accountability assemblies are one of the ways in which we take action to win change and hold those responsible to account. Read more: https://ow.ly/eXIj50ZwY5H

7 Aug

Young CUK leaders in Burnham-On-Sea are taking action to make their community safer. Joined by town councillor Lesley Millard, they took part in a neighbourhood walk to discuss local issues, from discarded needles in parks to crime. Read the article: https://ow.ly/K8ke50ZwUSI

24 July

For ten years, community leaders across London Citizens have been campaigning to bring 41 community land trust homes to Cable Street. With funding now at risk, they continue to push forward with their campaign. 📃 Read the article on Big Issue: https://ow.ly/kiSA50ZsfzF

22 July

As part of ‘25 years of the Living Wage: A Movement in Pictures’, Dr Simon Mason reflects on the HSBC AGM action, when he made the case for a Living Wage for all workers – which led to the bank becoming a Living Wage employer. Listen to the full story 👇 https://bit.ly/4bzAuMA

livingwage.org.ukA real Living Wage: 25 years in

17 July

🎉 To mark the 25-year anniversary of the Living Wage movement, @livingwageuk.bsky.social has published a new impact report, ‘A Real Living Wage: 25 Years In’. 👉 Read the full report: www.livingwage.org.uk/real-living-... 👉 Read the coverage: workplacejournal.co.uk/2026/07/livi...

Living Wage Foundation@livingwageuk.bsky.social

Today we released our impact report: 'A Real Living Wage: 25 Years In'. 🎉 A huge thank you to our report sponsors Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and @sse.com, and to all of the Living Wage Employers choosing to lead. 📖 Read the report: www.livingwage.org.uk/real-living-...

bit.lyYoung people in Oxford skip lunch to pay for bus, report findsA report says public transport costs were a "barrier" to education for some students in Oxford.

7 July

In a new report, Citizens Oxford reveal the barriers to education caused by expensive bus journeys for young people. They are calling on bus companies and decision-makers to provide cheaper options for students. Read the full story 👇 https://bit.ly/4eNHYxF

6 July

It's time for Living Hours.⏰ On Friday, over a hundred community leaders across London Citizens met with local government representatives and businesses to discuss the future of work in the Capital and Living Hours accreditations.

citizensuk.orgMaking London Work for All - Citizens UKThe 'Making London Work for All' campaign works to ensure that fair pay is part of a broader strategy for justice.

6 July

Living Hours is an accreditation standard which offers a practical solution that employers can adopt to help provide security for workers, and is a key priority of our Making London Work for All movement. Read more about the campaign: citizensuk.org/campaigns/ma...

bit.lyHomes 'like ovens' in a country where buildings are made to lock heat inIryna told us: "When it's hot we're told to stay out of the heat, but what if your home offers no escape?"

2 July

🌡️"When it's hot, we're told to stay out of the heat, but what if your home offers no escape?" Iryna, a Citizens UK leader from West London, shared her experience of overheating on Sky News – with her home reaching up to 38C in the evening during the heatwave. Watch the interview 👇 bit.ly/4eFfciJ

2 July

As the climate crisis worsens, heatwaves are likely to become stronger and more frequent. We are calling for safe and healthy homes now, and equal access to green spaces to tackle climate injustice and create a fairer, greener society that leaves no one behind.

citizensuk.orgClimate Justice - Citizens UKWe want the world to be fair, clean and green. Together, we can tackle climate injustice, leaving no one behind.

2 July

We’re bringing together local people across the country to find solutions that keep us and our planet healthy. Find out how you can get involved 👇 www.citizensuk.org/campaigns/cl...

1 July

Our new series '25 Years of the Living Wage: A Movement in Pictures' is out! 📽️ In 2001, communities marched down Mile End Road calling for a Living Wage in East London. Listen to Bernadette Harris reflect on why this moment mattered then, and why it is still relevant today. 🌟

26 June

Among conflicting reports today from the Home Office about whether changes to earned settlement will affect thousands of care workers, Citizens UK reiterates its call on the Government not to move the goalposts for care workers who have already built their lives in the UK.

24 June

🌡️ As communities across the UK brace for potential record-breaking temperatures, too many people are living in homes that are ill-prepared for extreme heat. Everyone deserves a home that keeps them safe and healthy. 🏠

24 June

Eight million people in England live in a home that presents a serious threat to their health and safety. 💬 Iryna, a community leader from West London Citizens, tells us how the hot weather has made her home difficult to live in.

citizensuk.orgClimate Justice - Citizens UKWe want the world to be fair, clean and green. Together, we can tackle climate injustice, leaving no one behind.

24 June

We’re working with community leaders across the country on a home-upgrade strategy to make our existing homes healthy and safe, without costing the earth. This is a matter of physical and mental health, equality and climate justice. 🔗 Find out more: www.citizensuk.org/campaigns/cl...

29 May

We are hiring! 📣 @livingwageuk.bsky.social, part of Citizens UK, are looking for a new Head of Membership to lead and grow their 16,000-strong employer network. For more information on how to apply, please click the link below 👇 ow.ly/I1oc50Z5ztS

27 May

Eid Mubarak to our members, colleagues, friends and neighbours who celebrate! 🥳 May you all have a joyous day filled with love and community! 🕊️✨

ow.lyJoin the Named Sponsorship Network We want the Government to establish and implement a fully operational Named Sponsorship route by the end of 2026, that gives local communities, civil society, employers and universities the power to choose who to welcome to the UK. Sign your organisation up to join the Named Sponsorship Network or to hear more about what comes next.  

21 May

This spring, we brought together Minister Alex Norris, the Home Office & 60+ organisations to launch Named Community Sponsorship - a new, community-led route for welcoming refugees. 🎥 Watch the highlights: https://ow.ly/T72j50Z2sRp 👉 Join the movement: https://ow.ly/tJzq50Z2sRo

Today, we launched ‘Making London Work for All’ to further tackle low pay and insecure work across the capital. The project Steering Group brings together workers with experience of low pay and leaders from civil society to ensure the initiative’s success. 🙌

💬 Bob Bevil, Citizens UK leader and Steering Group member, said: “At a young age we are told that if you work hard, we will make money and thrive. Such are the structural challenges we face in London this no longer holds true.”

bit.ly‘Making London Work for All’ launches to further tackle low pay and insecure work - Citizens UKThe initiative aims to lift Londoners out of in-work poverty & precarious work through Living Wage, Living Hours & Living Pensions accreditations.

Find out more about the launch of the ‘Making London Work for All’ Steering Group 👇 bit.ly/4dkgH3N @trustforlondon.bsky.social @livingwageuk.bsky.social @citybridgefndn.bsky.social @london.gov.uk

Despite this, over 13% of jobs in London are still paid below the London Living Wage, which is currently £14.80 an hour. The Making London Work for All initiative will ensure that fair pay also addresses the links between health inequalities, housing, immigration and work.

💬 Gina Rodriguez, Citizens UK leader and Steering Group member, said: “I know what low pay feels like. Through this movement, I’ve seen how powerful change can be when communities, employers and local government come together.”

Great to be joined by Steering Group co-chairs Deputy Mayor of London, Business and Growth @howarddawber.bsky.social, Bishop of Croydon @rosemariemallett.bsky.social, and KPMG London Senior Partner and Regional Chair Anna Purchas at the launch of the ‘Making London Work for All’ initiative. 🙌

The first phase of the initiative, ‘Making London a Living Wage City’, secured over 70,000 pay rises nationally through London-headquartered employers, generating a total of £628m in economic value for London. 🙌

12 May

For the past 25 years, the Living Wage movement has helped reshape what fair pay looks like in the UK. 🙌 Paul Regan & Bernie Harris, who were both involved from the earliest days, reminisce about the campaign’s challenges and triumphs in The Guardian 👇 https://bit.ly/4eA4vhL

bit.ly"Every person has dignity, value, and a place to belong" - Citizens UKOn 4th May 2026, a thousand people gathered in East London for the 20th Anniversary of the annual Migrant Mass.

11 May

On 4th May 2026, a thousand people gathered in Forest Gate for the 20th Anniversary of the annual Migrant Mass. ✍️ Citizens UK community organiser Caroline Verdant reflects on the vibrant celebration and the power of people coming together across differences. Read the blog 👇 https://bit.ly/4wryf76

7 May

Ahead of local elections taking place today, hundreds of Citizens UK community leaders secured commitments from candidates across parties on campaign issues, from work, housing and child poverty to the real Living Wage. Find out more 👇 https://bit.ly/3Rqrxhj

6 May

Last week, Tyne & Wear Citizens community organisers Michael Thompson and Sara Bryson were on BBC Radio Newcastle, reflecting on the importance of building relationships between communities and decision-makers to win change. Listen to the full interview 👇 https://bit.ly/4f4KLTz

ow.lyEaling community leaders in election plea for struggling familiesCOMMUNITY leaders, head teachers and charities across Ealing have published an open letter to all parties fielding borough election candidates,…

24 Apr

Ealing Citizens community leaders publish an open letter ahead of local elections, asking candidates to protect children and families living in temporary accommodation. Read the full story in Ealing Times: https://ow.ly/pkzw50YP48j

15 Apr

Love and solidarity to our friends at @finchleyreform.bsky.social, a long-standing member of Citizens UK. We stand together against racism and hate and for the safety, dignity and belonging of every community.

5 Apr

Wishing a joyful and hope‑filled Easter to all our members, community leaders, colleagues and friends who celebrate. May this day bring renewal, peace, and strength to you and your communities.

3 Apr

On Good Friday, we’re reflecting on a recent Weaving Trust event in Milton Keynes, where Christians and Muslims came together during the rare overlap of Lent and Ramadan. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/wM6i50YBEuE

2 Apr

🎉 WIN: Barnet Council is now a Living Wage employer! Barnet Citizens have secured the real Living Wage for all council staff and eligible contracted workers. Full story: https://ow.ly/OVK750YBEmQ

1 Apr

Chag Pesach Sameach to all our Jewish leaders, members, and colleagues. Wishing all who celebrate a happy Passover!

ow.lyA win for our Children into Citizens campaign as the Home Office reduces child citizenship fees - Citizens UKCitizens UK welcomes the positive news that the fee to register a child as a British citizen will fall.

27 Mar

A win for our Children into Citizens campaign. Child citizenship fees have finally been reduced - down £214 after years of action from community leaders. Still too high, but a step closer to justice for thousands of children. Find out more: https://ow.ly/jixO50YzCW6

20 Mar

Eid Mubarak to our members, colleagues, friends and neighbours who celebrate. May you all have a joyous day filled with love and community! 🕊️✨