Helen Barnard
@helenbarnard.bsky.social
Director of Policy, Research, Impact, TrussellTrust Trustee NatCen. Former JRF & Pro Bono Economics. Author: Want (Giants: A New Beveridge Report) http://amzn.eu/d/hk1ojO6
Brilliant playwright, and moonlighted as a Mike Jagger lookalike.
RIP Tom Stoppard. He left a fantastic body of work - playful with language, and serious about ideas of democracy, liberalism and freedom.
November 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Brilliant playwright, and moonlighted as a Mike Jagger lookalike.
Love Claudia’s jacket! #StrictlyComeDancing
November 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Love Claudia’s jacket! #StrictlyComeDancing
Just read an article claiming to give brilliant new insight into how to ‘beat inflation’. Their answer appears to be ‘buy cheaper stuff.’
November 29, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Just read an article claiming to give brilliant new insight into how to ‘beat inflation’. Their answer appears to be ‘buy cheaper stuff.’
Reposted by Helen Barnard
Chancellor said lifting 2-child limit means "Biggest reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since records began." Estimated 400k reduction would be, but modelling is always uncertain. What is certain is that removing the 2 Child Limit is pivotal to the fall.
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Chancellor said lifting 2-child limit means "Biggest reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since records began." Estimated 400k reduction would be, but modelling is always uncertain. What is certain is that removing the 2 Child Limit is pivotal to the fall.
Reposted by Helen Barnard
NEW - the government poised to water down flagship workers rights bill, ditching day one rights to unfair dismissal but reducing qualifying period from two years to six months.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
November 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
NEW - the government poised to water down flagship workers rights bill, ditching day one rights to unfair dismissal but reducing qualifying period from two years to six months.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
Reposted by Helen Barnard
We’re delighted the cruel two-child limit is being scrapped in full. This will lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
Thanks to everyone who campaigned to make this happen! 👏 👏 👏
Thanks to everyone who campaigned to make this happen! 👏 👏 👏
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We’re delighted the cruel two-child limit is being scrapped in full. This will lift 470,000 children out of severe hardship.
Thanks to everyone who campaigned to make this happen! 👏 👏 👏
Thanks to everyone who campaigned to make this happen! 👏 👏 👏
Reposted by Helen Barnard
The budget document actually puts dates on the unfreezing of fuel duty - 1p rise September 2026, 2p in December 2026, and 2p in March 2027, and inflation increases thereafter.
November 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The budget document actually puts dates on the unfreezing of fuel duty - 1p rise September 2026, 2p in December 2026, and 2p in March 2027, and inflation increases thereafter.
Reposted by Helen Barnard
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
Here we go (again)
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Here we go (again)
Deputy Speaker pointing out that leaking the entire budget early is not usually considered a good thing.
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Deputy Speaker pointing out that leaking the entire budget early is not usually considered a good thing.
Carers Allowance Overpayments Review is truly jaw-dropping. Years of abject failure from DWP to treat carers with fairness or compassion is appalling. All credit to @carers-uk.bsky.social for tireless campaigning. And Stephen Timms for commissioning the review and accepting recommendations.
Major news in the campaign to stop the Carers Allowance Overpayments scandal: https://go.carersuk.org/CA-OP?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_d070omahrm. The Government have published the independent review by @lizsayce and its response.
Unprecedented changes for carers as Government responds to Carer’s Allowance overpayments review recommendations | Carers UK
It’s a landmark day today for the carers’ movement now that the Government has responded to the independent review of overpayments by Liz Sayce OBE.
go.carersuk.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Carers Allowance Overpayments Review is truly jaw-dropping. Years of abject failure from DWP to treat carers with fairness or compassion is appalling. All credit to @carers-uk.bsky.social for tireless campaigning. And Stephen Timms for commissioning the review and accepting recommendations.
Absolutely. A decent minimum wage is vital, but continually increasing it isn’t a serious poverty strategy.
Counterproductive if pushed too far as some groups find it harder to get into work.
Especially important to be careful around young people given the scarring effect of youth unemployment.
Counterproductive if pushed too far as some groups find it harder to get into work.
Especially important to be careful around young people given the scarring effect of youth unemployment.
RF are pro MW, but we agree it's 2nd order to benefits in tackling poverty. Big fight with Osborne over that re tax credit cuts in 2015.
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Absolutely. A decent minimum wage is vital, but continually increasing it isn’t a serious poverty strategy.
Counterproductive if pushed too far as some groups find it harder to get into work.
Especially important to be careful around young people given the scarring effect of youth unemployment.
Counterproductive if pushed too far as some groups find it harder to get into work.
Especially important to be careful around young people given the scarring effect of youth unemployment.
Wonder if we’ll see petrol cars phased out earlier than fuel duty being unfrozen!
November 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Wonder if we’ll see petrol cars phased out earlier than fuel duty being unfrozen!
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
To be fair, I’m liking my chances…
To be fair, I’m liking my chances…
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
To be fair, I’m liking my chances…
To be fair, I’m liking my chances…
Reposted by Helen Barnard
Budget tomorrow! If the Chancellor lifts the two child limit will it help or harm Labour's standing with the electorate? @luketryl.bsky.social sets out why it is a smart move to recover public support, in a new guest post for @trusselluk.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Britons and the two-child limit | Trussell
Luke Tryl, Executive Director of More in Common, explains why lifting the two-child limit can help Labour to build public support.
www.trussell.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Budget tomorrow! If the Chancellor lifts the two child limit will it help or harm Labour's standing with the electorate? @luketryl.bsky.social sets out why it is a smart move to recover public support, in a new guest post for @trusselluk.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
This sounds fairly sensible. Moving policy costs off bills, eases cost of living and it was never the right mechanism anyway. But avoids further narrowing the tax base which puts more pressure on other taxes.
Rachel Reeves has decided not to cut value added tax on domestic energy bills in the Budget but is still pressing ahead with a package of support for household energy costs, including changes to green levies on electricity.
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Rachel Reeves decides against cutting VAT on energy bills in Budget
Chancellor expected to continue with support package for households, including easing of electricity costs
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This sounds fairly sensible. Moving policy costs off bills, eases cost of living and it was never the right mechanism anyway. But avoids further narrowing the tax base which puts more pressure on other taxes.
Great to join Chancellor at @trusselluk.bsky.social Leeds North & West food bank. Really appreciated time she spent with fb team & lived experience partners. Discussed scale of hunger & hardship, the causes & action needed. We've seen welcome steps so far - hoping for more in the Budget tomorrow!
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Great to join Chancellor at @trusselluk.bsky.social Leeds North & West food bank. Really appreciated time she spent with fb team & lived experience partners. Discussed scale of hunger & hardship, the causes & action needed. We've seen welcome steps so far - hoping for more in the Budget tomorrow!
Budget tomorrow! If the Chancellor lifts the two child limit will it help or harm Labour's standing with the electorate? @luketryl.bsky.social sets out why it is a smart move to recover public support, in a new guest post for @trusselluk.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Britons and the two-child limit | Trussell
Luke Tryl, Executive Director of More in Common, explains why lifting the two-child limit can help Labour to build public support.
www.trussell.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Budget tomorrow! If the Chancellor lifts the two child limit will it help or harm Labour's standing with the electorate? @luketryl.bsky.social sets out why it is a smart move to recover public support, in a new guest post for @trusselluk.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Reposted by Helen Barnard
A child poverty strategy with the 2-child limit in place would *not* be a credible child poverty strategy. *All* of the growth in child poverty since the 2011/12 low point is for children in scope of this policy.
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A child poverty strategy with the 2-child limit in place would *not* be a credible child poverty strategy. *All* of the growth in child poverty since the 2011/12 low point is for children in scope of this policy.
Brilliant guest blog from @LukeTryl & @Moreincommon_ for @trusselluk.bsky.social setting out why lifting the two child limit is a smart move for Labour and can help build public support (despite headline polling on the topic). www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Britons and the two-child limit | Trussell
Luke Tryl, Executive Director of More in Common, explains why lifting the two-child limit can help Labour to build public support.
www.trussell.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Brilliant guest blog from @LukeTryl & @Moreincommon_ for @trusselluk.bsky.social setting out why lifting the two child limit is a smart move for Labour and can help build public support (despite headline polling on the topic). www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Can't wait until Wednesday when we can finally stop speculating about what's in the Budget, and start speculating about what'll be in the Spring Statement.
November 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Can't wait until Wednesday when we can finally stop speculating about what's in the Budget, and start speculating about what'll be in the Spring Statement.
This ⬇️
Lifting the 2 child limit is the single most effective thing the Chancellor can do to reduce child poverty & give kids a decent start in life.
Labour promised to end the need for emergency food & tackle child poverty. Ending the 2CL would be a big step to delivering those promises.
Lifting the 2 child limit is the single most effective thing the Chancellor can do to reduce child poverty & give kids a decent start in life.
Labour promised to end the need for emergency food & tackle child poverty. Ending the 2CL would be a big step to delivering those promises.
This is good news. But the framing that moves to reduce poverty are simply backbench tantrums is bizarre revisionism.
The govt has manifesto commitments to reduce foodbank use and MPs and members have a deep commitment to reduce poverty & improve social mobility. Strange to ignore that.
The govt has manifesto commitments to reduce foodbank use and MPs and members have a deep commitment to reduce poverty & improve social mobility. Strange to ignore that.
Rachel Reeves insists that the wider welfare bill must be tackled as polling shows Britons would prefer public service spending cuts to tax rises
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
This ⬇️
Lifting the 2 child limit is the single most effective thing the Chancellor can do to reduce child poverty & give kids a decent start in life.
Labour promised to end the need for emergency food & tackle child poverty. Ending the 2CL would be a big step to delivering those promises.
Lifting the 2 child limit is the single most effective thing the Chancellor can do to reduce child poverty & give kids a decent start in life.
Labour promised to end the need for emergency food & tackle child poverty. Ending the 2CL would be a big step to delivering those promises.
Finally we have Justice for George. #StrictlyComeDancing
November 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Finally we have Justice for George. #StrictlyComeDancing