The right is already in a frenzy about the migrant groups it thinks will benefit – and the budget contained other trade-offs, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan

Join us for a virtual webinar where we will discuss the recent welfare reform proposals in the UK and RoI.

“They’re Not Thinking on the Same Side We Are”: Street-Level Activation of Parents under Universal Credit

The government has committed to tackling poverty among all children, including those subject to the UK’s asylum and immigration system. But recent reforms and proposals to immigration policy mean that...

A report says Rachel Reeves must raise taxes to cover £41bn gap.

Government concessions fail to appease disabled people’s groups, concerned that disabled people in the future will be condemned to poverty

Today, well supposed to be tomorrow, the payment for the month will go into my bank account. It’s universal credit. And I feel awful that I get it. But if I’ve been really careful the month before, there will be more there!

Looking after children is important and vital work; and it’s imperative that parents and carers have access to high quality and affordable childcare, both in order to support their children’s development and also to support them in their other forms of work: be it education, training, caring, or participation in the formal labour market. Recent years have seen a growing focus on the importance of improving the UK’s childcare offer, and we have seen a range of policy changes to try and improve what is provided and on what basis. This briefing sets out the experiences of parents and carers on a low income, and makes clear the distance that still needs to be travelled if we are to move to a situation in which all parents can access affordable and decent childcare provision. We share evidence of parents’ experiences and challenges around finding childcare that fits with working hours; systemic issues with affordability; and the pressing need to improve support for childcare through Universal Credit. There is also a need to improve childcare for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and to rethink how childcare support is made available during school holidays.

This project will explore the extent of the devolution of social security within the UK and the realities, risks, and opportunities this poses for families with dependent children.