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
There remains a mountain to climb on living standards - our latest modelling shows disposable income after housing costs will fall by £850 on average over this parliament. But the budget measures have made a difference for low income families.
2/2
2/2
November 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
There remains a mountain to climb on living standards - our latest modelling shows disposable income after housing costs will fall by £850 on average over this parliament. But the budget measures have made a difference for low income families.
2/2
2/2
The Government came to power on a manifesto pledge to reduce child poverty.
The Budget is a vital down payment on that commitment, and we hope to see an ambitious child poverty strategy follow very soon.
The Budget is a vital down payment on that commitment, and we hope to see an ambitious child poverty strategy follow very soon.
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The Government came to power on a manifesto pledge to reduce child poverty.
The Budget is a vital down payment on that commitment, and we hope to see an ambitious child poverty strategy follow very soon.
The Budget is a vital down payment on that commitment, and we hope to see an ambitious child poverty strategy follow very soon.
HALF of children in large low income families on universal credit are growing up in a family that can't afford enough food, heat and/or to keep up with bills.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
HALF of children in large low income families on universal credit are growing up in a family that can't afford enough food, heat and/or to keep up with bills.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
Oh yes, no worries there!
November 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Oh yes, no worries there!
Remember those ‘scissors / jaws / graph of doom’ projections from the early days of the coalition government, showing how demand for (statutory) adult and children’s services would eat into (cut) local authority budgets...?
November 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Remember those ‘scissors / jaws / graph of doom’ projections from the early days of the coalition government, showing how demand for (statutory) adult and children’s services would eat into (cut) local authority budgets...?
Coverage of what the Chancellor said here: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
JRF analysis of removing the two child limit and introducing a protected minimum floor here: www.jrf.org.uk/child-povert...
JRF analysis of removing the two child limit and introducing a protected minimum floor here: www.jrf.org.uk/child-povert...
Rachel Reeves signals plan to remove two-child benefit cap in budget
Chancellor understood to be preparing to fully reverse measure, which would cost over £3bn but could lift 350,000 children out of poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Coverage of what the Chancellor said here: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
JRF analysis of removing the two child limit and introducing a protected minimum floor here: www.jrf.org.uk/child-povert...
JRF analysis of removing the two child limit and introducing a protected minimum floor here: www.jrf.org.uk/child-povert...
This move could be made more impactful still by creating a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit, to limit losses from the benefit cap.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social finds these 2 policies would lift 500,000 children out of poverty in 2029/30, reduce its depth for 1m more, and cost £3.6bn.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social finds these 2 policies would lift 500,000 children out of poverty in 2029/30, reduce its depth for 1m more, and cost £3.6bn.
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
This move could be made more impactful still by creating a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit, to limit losses from the benefit cap.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social finds these 2 policies would lift 500,000 children out of poverty in 2029/30, reduce its depth for 1m more, and cost £3.6bn.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social finds these 2 policies would lift 500,000 children out of poverty in 2029/30, reduce its depth for 1m more, and cost £3.6bn.