Prof Ruth Patrick
@ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Professor of Social & Public Policy at University of Glasgow
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Pinned
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Let’s hope the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap is a watershed moment, spurring on sustained, ambitious action to end the scourge of child poverty, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
At last: a budget that ends the two-child limit
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel policy, but tackling poverty requires more
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Let’s hope the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap is a watershed moment, spurring on sustained, ambitious action to end the scourge of child poverty, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
A year ago today I joined some of the incredible @changingrealities.bsky.social parents at Downing Street who shared what changes are needed to end child poverty - incl why the two-child limit must be scrapped. It’s brilliant to see yesterday’s announcement after so much hard work from so many.
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Let's take a moment to applaud the fact the two-child limit has been scrapped, a measure which has been described as "the worst social policy ever", writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social for @prospectmagazine.co.uk /1
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/716...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/716...
At last: a budget that ends the two-child limit
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel policy, but tackling poverty requires more
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Let's take a moment to applaud the fact the two-child limit has been scrapped, a measure which has been described as "the worst social policy ever", writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social for @prospectmagazine.co.uk /1
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/716...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/716...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
The two-child limit will go. @nuffieldfoundation.org research by the fab team below showed the limit & the benefit cap didn't meet their behavioural aims & harmed families.
Huge thanks to the team & to the families who shared their experiences. Evidence matters: today it seems it was heard.
Huge thanks to the team & to the families who shared their experiences. Evidence matters: today it seems it was heard.
Over the last five years @nuffieldfoundation.org funded @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social @jdportes.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social and I to research the impact of the two-child limit & the benefit cap largerfamilies.study
Benefit changes and larger families
We are a group of university-based researchers investigating how families with more than two children are coping with the benefit cap or the two-child limit.
largerfamilies.study
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The two-child limit will go. @nuffieldfoundation.org research by the fab team below showed the limit & the benefit cap didn't meet their behavioural aims & harmed families.
Huge thanks to the team & to the families who shared their experiences. Evidence matters: today it seems it was heard.
Huge thanks to the team & to the families who shared their experiences. Evidence matters: today it seems it was heard.
My quick-fire take for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on why we should celebrate the scrapping of the two-child limit
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel two-child benefit cap in the budget. But tackling poverty requires more, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
At last: a budget that ends the two-child limit
The government should be applauded for scrapping the cruel policy, but tackling poverty requires more
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
My quick-fire take for @prospectmagazine.co.uk on why we should celebrate the scrapping of the two-child limit
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
Draws on research for @nuffieldfoundation.org & ongoing work with the amazing @changingrealities.bsky.social
The fight to end child poverty goes on. But today we must celebrate. It will make a real, lasting difference to families the breadth of the UK and I’m so grateful to everyone in @changingrealities.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social who have advocated tirelessly for its full abolition
www.changingrealities.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The fight to end child poverty goes on. But today we must celebrate. It will make a real, lasting difference to families the breadth of the UK and I’m so grateful to everyone in @changingrealities.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social who have advocated tirelessly for its full abolition
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
November 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
1/2
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
The two-child limit will be consigned to history. Incredible moment and one to welcome before we push on with the fight for ambitious action to drive child poverty down obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
obr.uk
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The two-child limit will be consigned to history. Incredible moment and one to welcome before we push on with the fight for ambitious action to drive child poverty down obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Budget day is here. For all the reasons in this thread & for hundreds more, let’s hope @teamlabouruk.bsky.social does the right thing and gets rid of the two-child limit, a callous policy that has no place in a compassionate country
largerfamilies.study
largerfamilies.study
Benefit changes and larger families
We are a group of university-based researchers investigating how families with more than two children are coping with the benefit cap or the two-child limit.
largerfamilies.study
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Budget day is here. For all the reasons in this thread & for hundreds more, let’s hope @teamlabouruk.bsky.social does the right thing and gets rid of the two-child limit, a callous policy that has no place in a compassionate country
largerfamilies.study
largerfamilies.study
This week is one of fiscal announcements, but for my family it’s also one of birthdays and of cakes! First up is my youngest son turning seven today. He has lots of additional needs but he is an amazing boy who makes me proud every day.
November 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This week is one of fiscal announcements, but for my family it’s also one of birthdays and of cakes! First up is my youngest son turning seven today. He has lots of additional needs but he is an amazing boy who makes me proud every day.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
83% of the public agree that no child should be living in poverty in the UK
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Unions urge Reeves to prioritise living standards as CBI presses for shift on employment rights
TUC calls on chancellor to focus on child poverty and upping minimum wage
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
83% of the public agree that no child should be living in poverty in the UK
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
New @resolutionfoundation.org @safety-nets.bsky.social report on the localisation of social security since 2013: Support delivered by local authorities isn't well understood but is an increasingly important part of the social security system: real spending on it is now 122 times higher than 2010-11
The localisation era • Resolution Foundation
This report is part of the project Safety Nets: social security for families in a devolved UK, funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It examines the growth of localised social security in the UK from 201...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:56 AM
New @resolutionfoundation.org @safety-nets.bsky.social report on the localisation of social security since 2013: Support delivered by local authorities isn't well understood but is an increasingly important part of the social security system: real spending on it is now 122 times higher than 2010-11
Delighted to publish this @nuffieldfoundation.org funded work as part of @safety-nets.bsky.social our major study examining the extent, nature and impacts of the devolution (and localisation) of social security within the UK. Vital new analysis from @alexclegg.bsky.social
New @resolutionfoundation.org @safety-nets.bsky.social report on the localisation of social security since 2013: Support delivered by local authorities isn't well understood but is an increasingly important part of the social security system: real spending on it is now 122 times higher than 2010-11
The localisation era • Resolution Foundation
This report is part of the project Safety Nets: social security for families in a devolved UK, funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It examines the growth of localised social security in the UK from 201...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Delighted to publish this @nuffieldfoundation.org funded work as part of @safety-nets.bsky.social our major study examining the extent, nature and impacts of the devolution (and localisation) of social security within the UK. Vital new analysis from @alexclegg.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
We’re expecting the Child Poverty Strategy any day.
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Maryam said: 'I think it’s important that all children in the UK have what they need to be happy and healthy.'
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Maryam said: 'I think it’s important that all children in the UK have what they need to be happy and healthy.'
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We’re expecting the Child Poverty Strategy any day.
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Maryam said: 'I think it’s important that all children in the UK have what they need to be happy and healthy.'
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Maryam said: 'I think it’s important that all children in the UK have what they need to be happy and healthy.'
This deserves a repost! Hurrah!
Scotland ahead in 3 minutes!
November 18, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This deserves a repost! Hurrah!
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
' If I could speak directly to the UK government today, I would say abolishing the two-child benefit cap makes future economic sense, as well as being the morally right thing to do.' @changingrealities.bsky.social Sam Richards on why the 2CL must go @bigissue.com www.bigissue.com/opinion/two-...
The two-child benefit cap inflicts suffering on the UK's children. Labour must scrap it
Sam Richards, a mother and participant of the Changing Realities project, writes about why the two-child limit on benefits should be dropped.
www.bigissue.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM
' If I could speak directly to the UK government today, I would say abolishing the two-child benefit cap makes future economic sense, as well as being the morally right thing to do.' @changingrealities.bsky.social Sam Richards on why the 2CL must go @bigissue.com www.bigissue.com/opinion/two-...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Stormont’s Executive parties & Opposition stand united in a call - backed by so many in the community & voluntary sector - for the full scrapping of the 2-child limit! #everychildcounts @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @trusselluk.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Stormont’s Executive parties & Opposition stand united in a call - backed by so many in the community & voluntary sector - for the full scrapping of the 2-child limit! #everychildcounts @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @trusselluk.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
54,314 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E for admission in October up from 44,765 in September.
I'm in that statistic!
I'm in that statistic!
November 14, 2025 at 9:09 AM
54,314 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E for admission in October up from 44,765 in September.
I'm in that statistic!
I'm in that statistic!
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
New analysis with @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and @kittyjstewart.bsky.social: If we are serious about trying to reduce child poverty we cannot rely on employment alone. We need serious investment in social security.
largerfamilies.study/publications...
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Benefit changes and larger families
We are a group of university-based researchers investigating how families with more than two children are coping with the benefit cap or the two-child limit.
largerfamilies.study
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
New analysis with @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and @kittyjstewart.bsky.social: If we are serious about trying to reduce child poverty we cannot rely on employment alone. We need serious investment in social security.
largerfamilies.study/publications...
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Repost if you agree with Rachel
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Repost if you agree with Rachel
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
November 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
Very thoughtful letter from my brilliant aunt @katharinesut.bsky.social @theguardian.com we need to do much more to make work work, & we need to address the systemic issues that lock ppl in poorly paid jobs. Improving procurement practices would be a great start www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
How employers can help their staff stay in work | Letters
Letters: Readers respond to the government’s Keep Britain Working review that aims to tackle the growing worklessness crisis
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Very thoughtful letter from my brilliant aunt @katharinesut.bsky.social @theguardian.com we need to do much more to make work work, & we need to address the systemic issues that lock ppl in poorly paid jobs. Improving procurement practices would be a great start www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...