@jimillar.bsky.social
Reposted
📣Nominations are open for the SPA 2026 awards for these categories:
• Outstanding Achievement
• Public Understanding
• Outstanding Teaching
• Richard Titmuss Book Prize
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
Deadline closes at 5pm on 02/03/2026.
Info: social-policy.org.uk/awards/the-s...
• Outstanding Achievement
• Public Understanding
• Outstanding Teaching
• Richard Titmuss Book Prize
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
Deadline closes at 5pm on 02/03/2026.
Info: social-policy.org.uk/awards/the-s...
January 20, 2026 at 11:12 AM
📣Nominations are open for the SPA 2026 awards for these categories:
• Outstanding Achievement
• Public Understanding
• Outstanding Teaching
• Richard Titmuss Book Prize
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
Deadline closes at 5pm on 02/03/2026.
Info: social-policy.org.uk/awards/the-s...
• Outstanding Achievement
• Public Understanding
• Outstanding Teaching
• Richard Titmuss Book Prize
social-policy.org.uk/what-we-do/a...
Deadline closes at 5pm on 02/03/2026.
Info: social-policy.org.uk/awards/the-s...
Reposted
‘There is solidarity to be found in small movements of people who are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality & prosperity.’
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Ciara Fitzpatrick: Ditch the diet: let’s resolve this New Year to improve all our lives
Small movements of people are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality and prosperity
www.irishnews.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
‘There is solidarity to be found in small movements of people who are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality & prosperity.’
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Reposted
Meanwhile, it may be a new year but lots still to reflect on from the last. my first piece of 2026 in @bigissue.com calls on Labour to continue the work it began in 2025 in starting (at long last) to speak about social security as a force for good www.bigissue.com/opinion/bene...
Why the dehumanising narratives around benefits need to stop in 2026
Negative rhetoric around the welfare system can do lasting damage. Ruth Patrick explains what needs to change in the new year.
www.bigissue.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Meanwhile, it may be a new year but lots still to reflect on from the last. my first piece of 2026 in @bigissue.com calls on Labour to continue the work it began in 2025 in starting (at long last) to speak about social security as a force for good www.bigissue.com/opinion/bene...
Reposted
The Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published today is the first we’ve seen for 11 years – which in itself is a sea change. 🧵 👇
December 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published today is the first we’ve seen for 11 years – which in itself is a sea change. 🧵 👇
Reposted
Most households subject to the two-child limit already have at least one adult in work.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Most households subject to the two-child limit already have at least one adult in work.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
Reposted
Tax and benefit measures announced this Parliament so far benefit children the most.
This is due to the abolition of the two-child limit, the expansion of Free School Meals to children in families receiving UC in England, and the above-inflation increases to the UC standard allowance.
This is due to the abolition of the two-child limit, the expansion of Free School Meals to children in families receiving UC in England, and the above-inflation increases to the UC standard allowance.
December 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Tax and benefit measures announced this Parliament so far benefit children the most.
This is due to the abolition of the two-child limit, the expansion of Free School Meals to children in families receiving UC in England, and the above-inflation increases to the UC standard allowance.
This is due to the abolition of the two-child limit, the expansion of Free School Meals to children in families receiving UC in England, and the above-inflation increases to the UC standard allowance.
Reposted
Our updated child poverty projections following the publication of the Strategy show a significant fall next year and a decline over the whole Parliament. Still more to be done, but this is a good achievement in the face of significant headwinds and a tight fiscal position
Updating our projections for the latest data and forecasts from the OBR, we project that child poverty rates will fall to 31 per cent by 2029-30, 3.5 percentage points lower than would have been the case in the absence of policy changes …
December 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Our updated child poverty projections following the publication of the Strategy show a significant fall next year and a decline over the whole Parliament. Still more to be done, but this is a good achievement in the face of significant headwinds and a tight fiscal position
Reposted
We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 AM
We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
Reposted
We're proud to be one of the organisations calling on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. 4.5m children are being denied the opportunity to thrive. We urgently need to end the poverty which blights childhoods and holds our children back in so many ways.
We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
We're proud to be one of the organisations calling on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. 4.5m children are being denied the opportunity to thrive. We urgently need to end the poverty which blights childhoods and holds our children back in so many ways.
Reposted
An easy post today, quoting the chancellor on the two-child limit "I don't think that it's right that a child is penalised because they are in a bigger family through no fault of their own,"
Kids' support should not depend on the number of siblings they happen to have www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kids' support should not depend on the number of siblings they happen to have www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rachel Reeves suggests family benefit limits will be lifted
The chancellor tells the BBC children in bigger families should not be
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
An easy post today, quoting the chancellor on the two-child limit "I don't think that it's right that a child is penalised because they are in a bigger family through no fault of their own,"
Kids' support should not depend on the number of siblings they happen to have www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kids' support should not depend on the number of siblings they happen to have www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted
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...
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
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
We must become advocates of hope.
Ambassadors of hope.
Agents of hope.
We must get the message across that it is possible to end child poverty.
We are determined to eradicate it.
We will work harder and harder to do so, and we will not give up.
- Rt Hon Gordon Brown speaking at our 60th
Ambassadors of hope.
Agents of hope.
We must get the message across that it is possible to end child poverty.
We are determined to eradicate it.
We will work harder and harder to do so, and we will not give up.
- Rt Hon Gordon Brown speaking at our 60th
November 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
We must become advocates of hope.
Ambassadors of hope.
Agents of hope.
We must get the message across that it is possible to end child poverty.
We are determined to eradicate it.
We will work harder and harder to do so, and we will not give up.
- Rt Hon Gordon Brown speaking at our 60th
Ambassadors of hope.
Agents of hope.
We must get the message across that it is possible to end child poverty.
We are determined to eradicate it.
We will work harder and harder to do so, and we will not give up.
- Rt Hon Gordon Brown speaking at our 60th
Reposted
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
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This is not the time for half measures.
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
@alexclegg.bsky.social explains why the Government should fully repeal the two child limit on benefits, as part of their upcoming Child Poverty Strategy ⤵️
Reposted
Budget month is here, and it’s time for the rumours to be pushed to one side and Labour to lay the groundwork to act decisively on child poverty.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
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
November 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Budget month is here, and it’s time for the rumours to be pushed to one side and Labour to lay the groundwork to act decisively on child poverty.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
Reposted
Earlier this month, Dr Rita Griffiths shared findings from IPR research into parents’ experience of #childcare and #UniversalCredit at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Single-Parent Families. Read more about the meeting and research: www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
Dr Rita Griffiths presents research to All-Party Parliamentary Group on Single-Parent Families
IPR Research Fellow Dr Rita Griffiths shared insights into parents’ experiences of Universal Credit at a recent meeting of the APPG.
www.bath.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Earlier this month, Dr Rita Griffiths shared findings from IPR research into parents’ experience of #childcare and #UniversalCredit at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Single-Parent Families. Read more about the meeting and research: www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
Reposted
"We would all be better off if child poverty was reduced. And the most efficient, the quickest, the easiest, and the most politically, morally and socially justified way of doing that would be to lift the cap. We would all be better off as a consequence of that."
www.lbc.co.uk/article/grou...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/grou...
Group of 40 economists & academics tell Chancellor ending two-child benefit cap will help grow economy | LBC
With less than a month to go before the Budget, the group have written to Rachel Reeves to warn that more than half of larger families could fall into poverty as a direct result of the cap.
www.lbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
"We would all be better off if child poverty was reduced. And the most efficient, the quickest, the easiest, and the most politically, morally and socially justified way of doing that would be to lift the cap. We would all be better off as a consequence of that."
www.lbc.co.uk/article/grou...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/grou...
Reposted
It's encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered.
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
Rachel Reeves to lift two-child benefit cap in November budget
Exclusive: Officials exploring options to change rule that affected 1.7 million children in Great Britain last year
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It's encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered.
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
🧵on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy⤵️
buff.ly/ZM98Ssx
Reposted
What kind of work does our society truly need?
Join the us for our latest event - @hilarycottam.bsky.social: The Work We Need, exploring how we can rethink work for wellbeing, equity & social transformation.
📅 Tuesday, October 21 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1
🎟️ Register: buff.ly/J0O4DqX
#TheWorkWeNeed
Join the us for our latest event - @hilarycottam.bsky.social: The Work We Need, exploring how we can rethink work for wellbeing, equity & social transformation.
📅 Tuesday, October 21 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1
🎟️ Register: buff.ly/J0O4DqX
#TheWorkWeNeed
Hilary Cottam: The Work We Need
In conversation with Margaret Heffernan, Hilary Cottam explores how we could work differently and live better.
buff.ly
October 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
What kind of work does our society truly need?
Join the us for our latest event - @hilarycottam.bsky.social: The Work We Need, exploring how we can rethink work for wellbeing, equity & social transformation.
📅 Tuesday, October 21 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1
🎟️ Register: buff.ly/J0O4DqX
#TheWorkWeNeed
Join the us for our latest event - @hilarycottam.bsky.social: The Work We Need, exploring how we can rethink work for wellbeing, equity & social transformation.
📅 Tuesday, October 21 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1
🎟️ Register: buff.ly/J0O4DqX
#TheWorkWeNeed
Reposted
Great to welcome @tracygilbertmp.bsky.social to OPFS today.
We talked #TransformingChildMaintenance and fixing a system that’s failing too many single parent families.
Report out soon. Stay tuned!
@ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social
We talked #TransformingChildMaintenance and fixing a system that’s failing too many single parent families.
Report out soon. Stay tuned!
@ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Great to welcome @tracygilbertmp.bsky.social to OPFS today.
We talked #TransformingChildMaintenance and fixing a system that’s failing too many single parent families.
Report out soon. Stay tuned!
@ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social
We talked #TransformingChildMaintenance and fixing a system that’s failing too many single parent families.
Report out soon. Stay tuned!
@ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social
Reposted
Joy or isolation? The reality of the school holidays for many children in poverty
cpag.org.uk/news/joy-or-...
cpag.org.uk/news/joy-or-...
Joy or isolation? The reality of the school holidays for many children in poverty
The school summer holidays should be a joyful time for children and parents. Every child deserves to laugh, play and have fun over the summer, and parents too should have the chance to enjoy making me...
cpag.org.uk
August 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Joy or isolation? The reality of the school holidays for many children in poverty
cpag.org.uk/news/joy-or-...
cpag.org.uk/news/joy-or-...
Reposted
@financialfairness.bsky.social were a core funder of @changingrealities.bsky.social. They also fund our research on the impact of the Scottish Child Payment w/ @emmatominey.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social @ilonapin.bsky.social @kittyjstewart.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social
I understand the entire board of Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, a very important funder of economic thinking on the left, has been sacked. (Website is currently 'dark'). www.financialfairness.org.uk/en-gb
Homepage | abrdn Financial Fairness Trust
The abrdn Financial Fairness Trust is an independent charitable trust. Our mission is to contribute towards change that improves financial well-being in the UK.
www.financialfairness.org.uk
June 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
@financialfairness.bsky.social were a core funder of @changingrealities.bsky.social. They also fund our research on the impact of the Scottish Child Payment w/ @emmatominey.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social @ilonapin.bsky.social @kittyjstewart.bsky.social & @cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted
Jonathan Bradshaw at the symposium on his legacy in Social Policy in the 21st century #York2025 @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Jonathan Bradshaw at the symposium on his legacy in Social Policy in the 21st century #York2025 @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social
Reposted
Cambridge university press award for best article - Edith England
July 2, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Cambridge university press award for best article - Edith England