Ellie Harwood
@ellieharwood.bsky.social
Working to end child poverty at CPAG.
Interested in social security, children's rights, co-production and devolution.
She/her
Interested in social security, children's rights, co-production and devolution.
She/her
Pinned
Free school meals in Wales: secondary learners in poverty overlooked
Latest Welsh government free school meal (FSM) statistics show a fall of 6,000 in the number of children registered for means-tested FSMs in Wales. The fall in the number of children registered means ...
cpag.org.uk
New briefing taking a deeper look behind the free school meal data in Wales.
The number of e-FSM children in Wales has fallen since Welsh Govt began to phase out transitional protection.
We estimate 25,000 secondary learners in poverty can't get a free school dinner due to the £7,400 means test.
The number of e-FSM children in Wales has fallen since Welsh Govt began to phase out transitional protection.
We estimate 25,000 secondary learners in poverty can't get a free school dinner due to the £7,400 means test.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
What difference will scrapping the two-child limit make to children's lives?
Shauna says she'll be able to buy her children a new mattress.
Shauna says she'll be able to buy her children a new mattress.
![Quote from Shauna, who is married with three children: '[Scrapping the two-child limit] will make a big difference because we’ve had to incur debts. Hopefully it will mean I can cover the last bills that come in each month instead of being in the red. I could buy a new mattress for two of my children. They can feel the springs on the mattresses they’ve got that they’ve had for many years.'](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:skdzopkfuh4iahjcww2tnupb/bafkreia4cxkaetng36voctb3opo7wv6sdozyag5g3mwh6htzhqqpc3ftim@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 11:26 AM
What difference will scrapping the two-child limit make to children's lives?
Shauna says she'll be able to buy her children a new mattress.
Shauna says she'll be able to buy her children a new mattress.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
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 4:40 PM
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.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
"The removal of the two-child limit brings my family a deep sense of relief. Without the cap hanging over me, I finally feel less weighed down by constant financial worry and more able to make choices that genuinely reflect what each of my boys’ need." (Kim, CR parent) #2CL #Budget 🧵1/3
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
November 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
A wonderful day for children's rights, as the two-child limit is finally consigned to history 🎉
Very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make the case for its abolition. Especially colleagues at @cpaguk.bsky.social, who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue for so many years.
Very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make the case for its abolition. Especially colleagues at @cpaguk.bsky.social, who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue for so many years.
November 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A wonderful day for children's rights, as the two-child limit is finally consigned to history 🎉
Very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make the case for its abolition. Especially colleagues at @cpaguk.bsky.social, who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue for so many years.
Very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make the case for its abolition. Especially colleagues at @cpaguk.bsky.social, who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue for so many years.
When the state fails to provide families with enough money to live on, other public services pay the cost. Educators, in particular, go above and beyond to mitigate the child poverty crisis caused by insufficient social security. Many do so out of their own wages.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Two-thirds of teachers support children in poverty every month
Teachers cite pupils attending school without breakfast, sleeping on sofas and not having basic equipment as examples of where they needed to step in
www.tes.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
When the state fails to provide families with enough money to live on, other public services pay the cost. Educators, in particular, go above and beyond to mitigate the child poverty crisis caused by insufficient social security. Many do so out of their own wages.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
It's pretty hard to have a serious discussion about child poverty and still be entertaining, but this podcast manages it!
The latest podcast is out and it is a fun one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm7I...
The people in Wales we don’t seem to care about | For Wales See Wales
YouTube video by For Wales See Wales
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It's pretty hard to have a serious discussion about child poverty and still be entertaining, but this podcast manages it!
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
With govt’s child poverty strategy expected soon, new evidence shows most teachers want more action on child poverty.
86% of teachers polled by @NEUnion say child poverty is limiting opportunity for their pupils to some extent. Two in five say it's limiting it greatly.
1/5
86% of teachers polled by @NEUnion say child poverty is limiting opportunity for their pupils to some extent. Two in five say it's limiting it greatly.
1/5
November 20, 2025 at 11:20 AM
With govt’s child poverty strategy expected soon, new evidence shows most teachers want more action on child poverty.
86% of teachers polled by @NEUnion say child poverty is limiting opportunity for their pupils to some extent. Two in five say it's limiting it greatly.
1/5
86% of teachers polled by @NEUnion say child poverty is limiting opportunity for their pupils to some extent. Two in five say it's limiting it greatly.
1/5
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
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.
Banujan, Year 7, said:
‘It’s hard to feel happy if you don’t have enough food, warm clothes, or a safe place to live...
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Banujan, Year 7, said:
‘It’s hard to feel happy if you don’t have enough food, warm clothes, or a safe place to live...
November 20, 2025 at 2:01 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.
Banujan, Year 7, said:
‘It’s hard to feel happy if you don’t have enough food, warm clothes, or a safe place to live...
We asked children what they’d like to say to the PM about their hopes and concerns.
Banujan, Year 7, said:
‘It’s hard to feel happy if you don’t have enough food, warm clothes, or a safe place to live...
Growing up in poverty violates children's rights in multiple ways every day. As Sioned says, it's not an abstract economic condition but a persistent violation of dignity, security and health.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Human rights in Wales are too often “promises rather than protections”, leaving vulnerable people dependent on goodwill rather than legal guarantees, a Senedd member has warned
Wales ‘failing to turn human rights rhetoric into reality’
Ella Groves Human rights in Wales are too often “promises rather than protections”, leaving vulnerable people dependent on goodwill rather than legal guarantees, a Senedd member has warned. Sioned Wil...
nation.cymru
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Growing up in poverty violates children's rights in multiple ways every day. As Sioned says, it's not an abstract economic condition but a persistent violation of dignity, security and health.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Full incorporation of the UNCRC is long overdue. All public bodies in Wales should operate in its scope.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Letter to MPs
YouTube video by Benefit Changes
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Less than two weeks till the budget. Today, I'm sharing a letter sent to MPs by parents affected by the two-child limit & benefit cap a year ago, which set out their simple plea that every child be treated the same.
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Listen and share it (please) @cpaguk.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kW-...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship.
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Over 100 groups call for Labour to fully scrap two child benefit cap
‘Abolishing the two-child limit in full will set millions of children’s lives on a path to a brighter future’, major organisations say
www.independent.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship.
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Interesting to note how designing pleasant dining spaces and using coproduction to develop menus helps young people in Sweden make the most of the free food on offer in their schools.
‘If there’s a free alternative, I’ll eat healthily’: how Sweden devised brilliant school meals
‘If there’s a free alternative, I’ll eat healthily’: how Sweden devised brilliant school meals
A pilot scheme where students eat nutritious breakfasts using donated surplus food builds on the ‘folkhem’ welfare model to boost health and sustainability
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Interesting to note how designing pleasant dining spaces and using coproduction to develop menus helps young people in Sweden make the most of the free food on offer in their schools.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We’re turning 60!
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
60 years of Child Poverty Action Group
Join us for a special online event marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, with keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
cpag.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We’re turning 60!
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Join our live broadcast marking 60 years of Child Poverty Action Group, featuring keynote speaker Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
📅Thursday 6 November
⏰9:45–11:45 am (online via Zoom)
Register for your free place: cpag.org.uk/60years
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
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.
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
Our new analysis shows how many children could be lifted out of poverty by 2029/30 if the two-child limit on Universal Credit would be abolished:
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
November 4, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Our new analysis shows how many children could be lifted out of poverty by 2029/30 if the two-child limit on Universal Credit would be abolished:
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
England: 626,022 children
Scotland: 51,036 children
Wales: 54,722 children
NI: 9,791 children
#EndChildPoverty
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
The government must cancel plans to cut disability benefits for young people
This blog has been co-written by Maddy Rose, Senior Policy Researcher, and Victoria Anns, Policy Researcher.
medium.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
📢Young disabled people could face benefit cuts of more than £420 a month if government plans go ahead.
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Young people deserve real support - not cuts that could push them into poverty.
New blog from me & @victoria-anns.bsky.social: medium.com/p/62015a6f0b12
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
October 30, 2025 at 7:46 AM
🚨 Today we at @turn2us.org.uk are in parliament to launch our new report and campaign to #StopTheStigma and fix the system.
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Almost all of us will need our social security system at some point in our lives, but our society's distrust of claimants has been baked into its policies and practice...(1/6)
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
No half measures • Resolution Foundation
The Government’s long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy is due next month, close to, or contemporaneous with, the Autumn Budget. There have been some welcome announcements already: the over-indexation of...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
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"
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
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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"
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...
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
In this by-election, the Nation of Sanctuary scheme was twisted beyond recognition. Caerphilly’s Ukrainian community had to fight alone. If there’s a system to deal with misinformation, it’s invisible. And if it exists, it’s too slow and broken to matter ✍️ Yuliia Bond
What we learned from the Caerphilly by-election – and why we mustn't allow a repeat in next May’s Senedd election
Yuliia Bond What happened in this election wasn’t democracy – it was chaos built on lies. Leaflets full of hate, fear, and disinformation were pushed through people’s doors without a single barrier, w...
wp.me
October 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
In this by-election, the Nation of Sanctuary scheme was twisted beyond recognition. Caerphilly’s Ukrainian community had to fight alone. If there’s a system to deal with misinformation, it’s invisible. And if it exists, it’s too slow and broken to matter ✍️ Yuliia Bond
Reposted by Ellie Harwood
We learnt today that annual CPI inflation was 3.8% in September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 increases the rate of the standard allowance in Universal Credit by 2.3% after applying this inflation, meaning an increase of around 6.2% in April 2026.
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
We learnt today that annual CPI inflation was 3.8% in September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 increases the rate of the standard allowance in Universal Credit by 2.3% after applying this inflation, meaning an increase of around 6.2% in April 2026.
Excellent analysis of the issues with FSM as a proxy for educational disadvantage. Wide variation over time and place in which groups qualify, whether they actually enrol, and the type of additional support provided as a result. Variation between different ethnic groups is particularly stark.
Free School Meals need review to better serve disadvantaged children.
The final report in our @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded project examining FSM as a measure, argues that relying on FSM as a single proxy doesn't reflect the complexity of children’s experiences.
news.sky.com/story/why-th...
The final report in our @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded project examining FSM as a measure, argues that relying on FSM as a single proxy doesn't reflect the complexity of children’s experiences.
news.sky.com/story/why-th...
Why thousands of England's poorest children are missing out on free school meals
The Education Policy Institute is recommending a new national system of auto-enrolment for free school meals and other measures to ensure more eligible children can benefit, as too many who should get...
news.sky.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Excellent analysis of the issues with FSM as a proxy for educational disadvantage. Wide variation over time and place in which groups qualify, whether they actually enrol, and the type of additional support provided as a result. Variation between different ethnic groups is particularly stark.
It's #ChallengePovertyWeek, and if you read one thing, I'd recommend this article by @ilonapin.bsky.social
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
Learning is an essential need
Recent public narratives around asylum-seeking have focused on mostly men arriving by small boats and staying in Home Office commissioned hotels. However, what is the experience of the children and fa...
cpag.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
It's #ChallengePovertyWeek, and if you read one thing, I'd recommend this article by @ilonapin.bsky.social
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
She explores how the UK's asylum and immigration system is leaving many children without the resources they need to access their education.
cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...