Katie Schmuecker
@katieschmuecker.bsky.social
Principal Policy Adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation - UK poverty, social policy, politics, research and data. Occasionally crochet, gigs and nature
Pinned
4.3 million children are in poverty
UK govt won’t see progress on child poverty by 2029 even with high economic growth 📢
Our analysis shows under our central scenario only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 in part due to social security policies 1/5
UK govt won’t see progress on child poverty by 2029 even with high economic growth 📢
Our analysis shows under our central scenario only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 in part due to social security policies 1/5
📣 New JRF analysis: just relying on growth won’t reduce child poverty.
By 2029 (end parliament) only Scotland will see poverty falling, largely due to social security changes.
A credible UK child poverty strategy would end the two-child limit & ensure people on UC can afford essentials
By 2029 (end parliament) only Scotland will see poverty falling, largely due to social security changes.
A credible UK child poverty strategy would end the two-child limit & ensure people on UC can afford essentials
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
🚨 New analysis alert!
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
November 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
The Chancellor made a bold claim today that this parliament will see the biggest reduction in child poverty since records began.
If the Budget doc projection of child poverty falling by 400,000 is right, so is the claim. Removing the two child limit is pivotal to this reduction.
If the Budget doc projection of child poverty falling by 400,000 is right, so is the claim. Removing the two child limit is pivotal to this reduction.
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 5:46 PM
The Chancellor made a bold claim today that this parliament will see the biggest reduction in child poverty since records began.
If the Budget doc projection of child poverty falling by 400,000 is right, so is the claim. Removing the two child limit is pivotal to this reduction.
If the Budget doc projection of child poverty falling by 400,000 is right, so is the claim. Removing the two child limit is pivotal to this reduction.
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
Today the OBR finally published employment impacts of Govt’s (remaining) disability benefit cuts, which weren’t ready in the spring. Confirms @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis at the time that these huge cuts to disabled people’s incomes come with relatively few expected to move into work. 🧵1/3
November 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Today the OBR finally published employment impacts of Govt’s (remaining) disability benefit cuts, which weren’t ready in the spring. Confirms @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis at the time that these huge cuts to disabled people’s incomes come with relatively few expected to move into work. 🧵1/3
🎉Child poverty is at a record high, so the decision to end the two child limit is crucial
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🎉Child poverty is at a record high, so the decision to end the two child limit is crucial
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
Poverty holds children back, with consequences for all of us. Every child should have a good start in life
This measure alone lifts 450,000 out of poverty & lessens severity for many more
3 key policies @jrf-uk.bsky.social will be looking for in today’s Busget
💼 With less than 24 hours to go until the Budget, we're thinking about the options available to the Chancellor.
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 AM
3 key policies @jrf-uk.bsky.social will be looking for in today’s Busget
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
💼 With less than 24 hours to go until the Budget, we're thinking about the options available to the Chancellor.
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
💼 With less than 24 hours to go until the Budget, we're thinking about the options available to the Chancellor.
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
Hear from our Chief Economist @chrisbelfield.bsky.social on three key policies that will make a lasting impact on reducing poverty. 🔽
People expect Labour to reduce child poverty- esp as years of cost of living crisis means hardship is a shared experience.
Removing the two child limit is a crucial policy, and how it’s argued for matters for levels of support.
Good from @luketryl.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Removing the two child limit is a crucial policy, and how it’s argued for matters for levels of support.
Good from @luketryl.bsky.social
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 8:11 AM
People expect Labour to reduce child poverty- esp as years of cost of living crisis means hardship is a shared experience.
Removing the two child limit is a crucial policy, and how it’s argued for matters for levels of support.
Good from @luketryl.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Removing the two child limit is a crucial policy, and how it’s argued for matters for levels of support.
Good from @luketryl.bsky.social
www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
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.
Reminder: the 2024 Labour Party manifesto pledged to reduce child poverty.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
November 23, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reminder: the 2024 Labour Party manifesto pledged to reduce child poverty.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Yes! @thetimes.com reporting the two child limit will go in full.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Yes! @thetimes.com reporting the two child limit will go in full.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
🌍 We’re hiring a permanent Group Chief Executive!
If you’ve led at scale, think boldly about how to make real impact, and believe a fairer society is possible, then we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Find out more and apply here: starfishsearch.com/jobs/jrf-group-ceo
If you’ve led at scale, think boldly about how to make real impact, and believe a fairer society is possible, then we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Find out more and apply here: starfishsearch.com/jobs/jrf-group-ceo
Group Chief Executive Officer - Starfish Search
https://starfishsearch.com
starfishsearch.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🌍 We’re hiring a permanent Group Chief Executive!
If you’ve led at scale, think boldly about how to make real impact, and believe a fairer society is possible, then we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Find out more and apply here: starfishsearch.com/jobs/jrf-group-ceo
If you’ve led at scale, think boldly about how to make real impact, and believe a fairer society is possible, then we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Find out more and apply here: starfishsearch.com/jobs/jrf-group-ceo
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
Handy primer on how the politics of Danish approach to asylum played out in the actual Denmark ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
Denmark’s migration policy – an example to follow? - UK in a changing Europe
Kristina Bakkær Simonsen explains why countries feel they have something to learn from Denmark's strict migration policy, but argues that there are many key pitfalls.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Handy primer on how the politics of Danish approach to asylum played out in the actual Denmark ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
@jrf-uk.bsky.social has joined 100+ others to call on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
@jrf-uk.bsky.social has joined 100+ others to call on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Welcome news that the Chancellor is gearing up to invest in children & their futures by fully removing the two child limit. When families hit hard times they should be able to rely on Universal Credit.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Welcome news that the Chancellor is gearing up to invest in children & their futures by fully removing the two child limit. When families hit hard times they should be able to rely on Universal Credit.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
It is also the most cost effective way to get child poverty falling this parliament.
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
📒 Government published Sir Charlie Mayfield's ‘Keep Britain Working’ report today.
An ambitious framework for how employers can support workers in ill-health.
Focus must be here to shift the dial on employment of disabled people & benefit spend, not cutting people's benefits. 🧵
An ambitious framework for how employers can support workers in ill-health.
Focus must be here to shift the dial on employment of disabled people & benefit spend, not cutting people's benefits. 🧵
This morning's reading: "Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working" from Department of Health and Social Care www.gov.uk/government/n...
Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working
More than 60 major and many small employers are joining forces with government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work and holding back growth.
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
📒 Government published Sir Charlie Mayfield's ‘Keep Britain Working’ report today.
An ambitious framework for how employers can support workers in ill-health.
Focus must be here to shift the dial on employment of disabled people & benefit spend, not cutting people's benefits. 🧵
An ambitious framework for how employers can support workers in ill-health.
Focus must be here to shift the dial on employment of disabled people & benefit spend, not cutting people's benefits. 🧵
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
October 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
"You would be forgiven for thinking this amount must be based on what a person needs to get by in the UK today. That would be logical for our social security system. But you would be wrong."
🗣️ Hear from our Principal Policy Adviser @katieschmuecker.bsky.social for @bigissue.com
🗣️ Hear from our Principal Policy Adviser @katieschmuecker.bsky.social for @bigissue.com
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that universal credit will still fall short by around £1,000 a year per person
Universal credit is set to rise – but not by enough
www.bigissue.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM
"You would be forgiven for thinking this amount must be based on what a person needs to get by in the UK today. That would be logical for our social security system. But you would be wrong."
🗣️ Hear from our Principal Policy Adviser @katieschmuecker.bsky.social for @bigissue.com
🗣️ Hear from our Principal Policy Adviser @katieschmuecker.bsky.social for @bigissue.com
Wrote this on yesterday’s inflation figures and why universal credit should be based on the amount we actually need to get by ⬇️
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that universal credit will still fall short by around £1,000 a year per person
Universal credit is set to rise – but not by enough
www.bigissue.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Wrote this on yesterday’s inflation figures and why universal credit should be based on the amount we actually need to get by ⬇️
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
Next year the basic rate of benefits will be £98pw for a single person.
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
October 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Next year the basic rate of benefits will be £98pw for a single person.
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Me on @BBCBreakfast earlier talking about Universal Credit going up next year:
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
October 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Me on @BBCBreakfast earlier talking about Universal Credit going up next year:
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
📊 Latest inflation figures published this morning show that CPI inflation sat at 3.8% for September.
Why does this month's figure matter more?
The government will use it to inform how much to uprate benefits by from April 2026. 🔽
Why does this month's figure matter more?
The government will use it to inform how much to uprate benefits by from April 2026. 🔽
October 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
📊 Latest inflation figures published this morning show that CPI inflation sat at 3.8% for September.
Why does this month's figure matter more?
The government will use it to inform how much to uprate benefits by from April 2026. 🔽
Why does this month's figure matter more?
The government will use it to inform how much to uprate benefits by from April 2026. 🔽
Next year the basic rate of benefits will be £98pw for a single person.
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
October 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Next year the basic rate of benefits will be £98pw for a single person.
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Logically you'd expect this rate to be linked to the cost of a basket of essentials. It is not.
It's why we need an independent process to advise on a rate that enables people to cover life’s essentials
Weekend read: @theleaduk.bsky.social have launched a campaign to end child poverty. Includes a bit from me on why the child poverty strategy should remove the 2 child limit and create a protected minimum floor in universal credit, as a step towards ensuring people can afford life’s essentials
Today, The Lead is launching its latest campaign to end child poverty now.
The government insists we cannot afford to lift children out of poverty, while those same children pay the price for political caution.
This is no longer workable.
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
The government insists we cannot afford to lift children out of poverty, while those same children pay the price for political caution.
This is no longer workable.
national.thelead.uk/p/child-pove...
Child poverty is a failure of the state and the economy it claims to safeguard
The government insists we cannot afford to lift children out of poverty, while those same children pay the price for political caution.
national.thelead.uk
October 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Weekend read: @theleaduk.bsky.social have launched a campaign to end child poverty. Includes a bit from me on why the child poverty strategy should remove the 2 child limit and create a protected minimum floor in universal credit, as a step towards ensuring people can afford life’s essentials
Reposted by Katie Schmuecker
Around 1 in 4 children in Scotland are living in poverty.
Poverty remains far too high, and people are feeling overlooked and ignored by politicians.
The next Scottish Parliament is an opportunity to build a better future for all children in Scotland. 🔽 1/4
Poverty remains far too high, and people are feeling overlooked and ignored by politicians.
The next Scottish Parliament is an opportunity to build a better future for all children in Scotland. 🔽 1/4
October 6, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Around 1 in 4 children in Scotland are living in poverty.
Poverty remains far too high, and people are feeling overlooked and ignored by politicians.
The next Scottish Parliament is an opportunity to build a better future for all children in Scotland. 🔽 1/4
Poverty remains far too high, and people are feeling overlooked and ignored by politicians.
The next Scottish Parliament is an opportunity to build a better future for all children in Scotland. 🔽 1/4
Without action families with children will see their disposable income fall over this parliament. Couples with children £750 worse off, lone parents £780.That’s electorally perilous.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
September 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Without action families with children will see their disposable income fall over this parliament. Couples with children £750 worse off, lone parents £780.That’s electorally perilous.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.