Prof Gráinne McKeever
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mckeevergrainne.bsky.social
Prof Gráinne McKeever
@mckeevergrainne.bsky.social
3.5K followers 2.4K following 69 posts

Law Professor at Ulster Uni, Belfast. Co-Editor of Journal of Social Security Law. Former Vice-Chair of Social Security Advisory Committee. Writing a book on 'Legal participation for litigants in person: protecting the right to a fair trial.' .. more

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mckeevergrainne.bsky.social
Prof Gráinne McKeever @mckeevergrainne.bsky.social · May 27
Delighted we'll be publishing our book on 'Legal participation for litigants in person: protecting the right to a fair trial' w @hartpublishing.bsky.social in 2026, following the footsteps of @leader-kate.bsky.social, @jessmant.bsky.social & others, building on our @nuffieldfoundation.org research.

Reposted by Katherine Brickell, Gráinne McKeever

helenbarnard.bsky.social
Helen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · 1d
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

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 1d
Less than 48 hours till the budget. Today, I'm sharing Christina's account of how the two-child limit affects every aspect of her and her children's lives.

We know the harm the two-child limit does. Let's get rid of it @cpaguk.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSF4...
On Pins
YouTube video by Aaron Reeves
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

inclusivepolicy.bsky.social
Center for Inclusive Policy @inclusivepolicy.bsky.social · 1d
NEW ARTICLE ALERT!

We’re pleased to contribute to this systematised review on estimating disability-related extra costs, published in The European Journal of Health Economics.

It has been a long time coming, and we’re excited for how useful it will be.

Here: link.springer.com/content/pdf/...
Graphic announcing a new article titled Estimating the magnitude and scope of disability-related direct costs: a systematised review, with a link to inclusive-policy.org. Below, a laptop displays the cover of The European Journal of Health Economics. Decorative icons of a globe and folder appear around the graphic.

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

brisunipress.bsky.social
Bristol University Press @brisunipress.bsky.social · 1d
#AcademicsStandAgainstPoverty argue that a budget guided by the socioeconomic duty would harness existing data to assess the #Inequality impacts of government decisions, ensuring policies actively reduce rather than worsen socioeconomic disadvantage.

https://ow.ly/jWeG50XwVAn

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

aiannucci.bsky.social
Armando Iannucci @aiannucci.bsky.social · 1d
As well as the moral case for lifting children out of poverty, there’s a powerful economic case for abolishing the two-child cap. blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Abolishing the two-child benefit limit would be a great investment | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Abolishing the Two-Child Benefit limit and overall Benefit Cap is good policy not just for ethical reasons but because investment in children pays off.
blogs.lse.ac.uk

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Steve Peers, Gráinne McKeever

statspeter.bsky.social
Peter Matejic @statspeter.bsky.social · 1d
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.
Between 2011/12 and 2023/24, child poverty rose by 900,000 in total. This is entirely due to increases in poverty in families with three or more children, with a small fall in poverty for smaller families over the period.

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

lawcentres.bsky.social
Law Centres Network @lawcentres.bsky.social · 1d
BBC News went behind the scenes at six county courts across England to witness housing repossession cases unfold.

Along the way, they met Law Centre housing lawyers: the people on the front line fighting every day to stop homelessness. (1/2)
BBC reports live from court as more people face losing their homes - special report
Court figures show the number of mortgage repossession orders in England and Wales reached a five-year high in 2024-25.
www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

legalactiongroup.bsky.social
Legal Action Group @legalactiongroup.bsky.social · 1d
📢Integration. Integration. Integration.

Politicians of all stripes insist migrants have a duty to integrate. So why are they promoting policies that will have the opposite effect and instead marginalise whole communities, asks Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social

📖Read on➡️ hi.switchy.io/kbuO

#LAGMag

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Gideon Calder, Katherine Brickell , and 2 more

ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 24d
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...

Reposted by Dirk Pilat, Gráinne McKeever

hetanshah.bsky.social
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 26d
And this exercise obviously just looks at the economic returns But we've looked at a lot of the wider benefits of research in humanities/social sciences/arts which stretch far beyond economic returns to support law, education, culture, inclusion & health
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/new-rep...
From NHS innovations to addressing inequalities in the labour market: new report reveals real-world impact of humanities and social sciences research
A new report sheds light on the tangible impact of UK SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy) research on the wellbeing of society, culture and the economy, through...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Reposted by Diane Coyle, Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell , and 20 more

hetanshah.bsky.social
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 26d
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

cpaguk.bsky.social
Child Poverty Action Group @cpaguk.bsky.social · 26d
Our head of policy Sophie Howes spoke to the Commons Treasury Committee yesterday about why social security is so important for addressing child poverty.

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

iainkporter.bsky.social
Iain Porter @iainkporter.bsky.social · 26d
Great to be at powerful @turn2us.org.uk report launch in Parliament today, alongside @jrf-uk.bsky.social colleagues! Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need support, and treat people with compassion, dignity and respect #StopTheStigma

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy, Steve Peers, Martin Paul Eve , and 3 more

francesryan.bsky.social
Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 26d
This from X is a striking example of what I argue in today’s column. Reform and the Tories are out here gleefully saying disabled people on Motability should be forced to drive a 3-wheeler, like a scarlet letter. The stigma is not an accident - it’s the design.
A tweet that says: Just got Reform to commit to a serious crackdown on Motability as part of their reforms to PIP. Lee Anderson says he’d be keen to see anyone with a Motability car forced to drive a ‘blue three wheeler’

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

z2ktrust.bsky.social
Z2K (Zacchaeus 2000 Trust) @z2ktrust.bsky.social · 26d
NEW: Politicians say it's too easy to qualify for PIP. Our new research suggests the opposite is true, showing how the punitive PIP assessment system has created a culture of fear among disabled people.

Read the report here: https://z2k.org/pip-report/
Ending the Culture of Fear - Z2K
Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system to get decisions right first time Much of the political and media debate about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has focused on the idea that it’s too easy to qualify. A new report from Z2K – Ending the Culture of Fear: Reforming the PIP assessment system
z2k.org

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

samfr.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 26d
Professor Patrick is one of the leading experts on child poverty in the UK and is on the government's child poverty expert group.

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

samfr.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 26d
You may think you know how bad this policy is but it's really worth reading the full details. I do think the title is justified.

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Steve Peers, Ben Barr , and 3 more

samfr.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 26d
New post out:

"The worst social policy ever"

Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.

Lots of data but also powerful testimony.

(Free to read)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com

Reposted by Diane Coyle, Will Jennings, Martin Paul Eve , and 4 more

benansell.bsky.social
Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · 26d
Somebody at HMRC needs to be canned for this idiotic ‘fraud-detection’ idea. And I fear future use of AI in welfare cases might well produce this kind of story regularly (as they have in Nevada for example).
UK woman who booked Oslo flight but did not fly loses child benefit ‘because she emigrated’
Exclusive: HMRC told Lisa Morris-Almond there was no record of her return to UK, but she did not take the trip
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jonathan Hopkin, Gráinne McKeever

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 27d
UK woman who booked Oslo flight but did not fly loses child benefit ‘because she emigrated’
UK woman who booked Oslo flight but did not fly loses child benefit ‘because she emigrated’
Exclusive: HMRC told Lisa Morris-Almond there was no record of her return to UK, but she did not take the trip A woman who booked a flight from London to Oslo but never checked in or travelled has had her child benefit stopped by the UK government. Tax authorities told her their records showed she had emigrated. Lisa Morris-Almond is one of thousands of people who have had their child benefit frozen as part of a botched crackdown on benefit fraud. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

cfpjustice.bsky.social
Centre for Peoples Justice @cfpjustice.bsky.social · Oct 25
The Three Liars. Our research we found them all: Fakers! Hiders! Deniers! Will Hillsborough Law make them come clean?
#ukpolitics #Labour #hillsboroughlaw #LiverpoolFC #postofficescandal #infectedblood #nucleartestveterans #labrats #aberfan #grenfelltower
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGLZ...
The Three Liars! Can Hillsborough Law stop them?
YouTube video by Centre for Peoples Justice
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

cfpjustice.bsky.social
Centre for Peoples Justice @cfpjustice.bsky.social · Oct 21
This day 1966, #aberfan disaster. 116 children killed when a tip collapsed on school. Hillsborough Law would mean Coal Board liars faced criminal prosecution for breach of duty of #candour. Follow us as we research the #hillsboroughlaw journey through Parliament www.youtube.com/watch?v=byJT...
Hillsborough Law: Justice Not Delivered
YouTube video by Centre for Peoples Justice
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Colm O’Cinneíde, Gráinne McKeever

patrickdunleavy.bsky.social
Patrick Dunleavy @patrickdunleavy.bsky.social · Oct 20
Deborah James describes how people can end up in enormous amounts of debt to the state when it (often wrongly) says welfare beneficiaries violated its rigid conditions. “Clawing back” money due can be an agonising process battling the state & other debt collectors. blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Work, welfare and debt in precarious times | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The conditions the state places on those receiving welfare are too rigid to reflect the malleable circumstances of people's work and private lives.
blogs.lse.ac.uk

mckeevergrainne.bsky.social
Prof Gráinne McKeever @mckeevergrainne.bsky.social · Oct 20
The Hillsborough Law (aka Public Office Accountability Bill) will help hold police & other state actors to account for lying & covering up scandals. Follow @cfpjustice.bsky.social to see how other state cover-ups have affected communities across the UK: www.youtube.com/watch?v=byJT...
Hillsborough Law: Justice Not Delivered
YouTube video by Centre for Peoples Justice
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

rightsnet.org.uk
rightsnet @rightsnet.org.uk · Oct 20
Coming up in Parliament ...

This week's social welfare law highlights in the Commons and the Lords

www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/68570

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

timeshighered.bsky.social
Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · Oct 20
UK government will impose student number limits on universities offering poor quality courses as it moves to give the OfS greater powers

#highered #EduSky
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/governm...
Government to back student limits for ‘low-quality’ universities
Higher education institutions could be penalised if they offer courses deemed subpar as universities await Labour’s reform plans
www.timeshighereducation.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

profmccann.bsky.social
Prof Deirdre McCann @profmccann.bsky.social · Oct 20
Dispiriting report on gender equality in architecture: harassment, unequal pay, long hours, power imbalances. Sexism remains "woven into the fabric of practice life." New study by RIBA/@fawcettsociety.bsky.social. www.ribaj.com/intelligence...
Why architecture can’t afford another decade of gender inequality
Despite good intentions and pockets of progress, gender inequality remains deeply embedded in the architecture sector’s culture and structures, a RIBA-commissioned study by the Fawcett Society has fou...
www.ribaj.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

leader-kate.bsky.social
Kate Leader @leader-kate.bsky.social · Oct 10
🚨BOOK LAUNCH🚨 at the Criminal Justice Centre QM @qmul.bsky.social @crimjusticecentre.bsky.social

Alan Norrie, Rethinking Criminal Justice: Punishment, Abolition and Moral Psychology

📅 Wednesday 19th November 6pm - 7.30
📍QMUL Mile End, Room 313
Tix: FREE at tinyurl.com/2s4bf3py

Please share!
Book Launch - Alan Norrie, Rethinking Criminal Justice Punishment...
Book Launch - Alan Norrie, Rethinking Criminal Justice Punishment, Abolition and Moral Psychology
tinyurl.com

Reposted by Gráinne McKeever

nataliesedacca.bsky.social
Natalie Sedacca @nataliesedacca.bsky.social · Oct 10
Glad to see this! Justice Secretary has said the government will not reintroduce tribunal fees, contrary to recent reports, noting that ‘Everyone, no matter their income, should be able to get access to justice to challenge unfair behaviour at work’ www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/lammy-r...

Reposted by Martin Paul Eve, Gráinne McKeever

premnsikka.bsky.social
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · Oct 10
UK Universities cut 12,000 jobs, more on the way.

40% of Unis in financial crisis.

Major exporter destroyed by successive govts

Obstacles for foreign students.
Low fees in England, lack of govt funding.
£267bn student debt.
Home student numbers down.

How will the UK compete with other nations?
Thousands more university jobs cut as financial crisis deepens
University workers will vote on national strike action this month over a 1.4% pay offer made in the summer.
www.bbc.co.uk