helenbarnard.bsky.social
Director of Policy, Research, Impact, TrussellTrust Trustee NatCen. Former JRF & Pro Bono Economics. Author: Want (Giants: A New Beveridge Report) http://amzn.eu/d/hk1ojO6
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More detail in this thread over on the other place: x.com/ayaz_manji/s...
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It was yesterday. TBF he might not be dead, I haven't listened to tonight's. But we can hope.
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...(only part of the UK region not to see small dip since last year).
London has high productivity & wealth AND high deprivation.
Yes let's invest across the country & boost growth outside South East.
But we also need action to bring down hunger & hardship everywhere. 2/2
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Funding will all feed into Barnett consequential, so will be more money for devolved governments. Housing, free school meals, local government crisis funding all devolved so how they use it will be up to them.
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But...Disabled people & carers still face looming threat of record cuts to social security support. Will push 440,000 people into severe hardship, at risk of needing a food bank. Unless gov changes course, disabled people on low incomes will not feel it's ‘on their side’.
4/4
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3. Confirmed expansion of free school meals to all families on Universal Credit. A very welcome step, will reduce pressure on many struggling families.
4. Assorted positive announcements on transport & funding for local communities, including using dormant assets. 3/4
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2. Big funding boost for social and affordable housing.
- So many people go hungry trying to keep up with unaffordable rents.
- 1/3 people referred to @trusselluk.bsky.social food banks have been homeless in the last year.
- More social housing = vital building block to ending hunger. 2/4
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CASH uplift in core schools spending of over £4bn. Watch this space for what that means in real terms which is obviously what matters. But it will be growth per pupil as pupil numbers falling.
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It leaves the rate of funding for social homes higher than any point since 2010, but slightly below the last Labour government's National Affordable Homes Programme (in real terms).
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Welcome increase in the scale of the British business bank - to £25.6bn.
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Reeves confirms extension of £3 bus fare cap until at least March 2027.
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Reeves confirms funding for deprived areas to improve parks, libraries, and high streets. Announces Growth Mission Fund to expedite local projects that can catalyse growth.
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Reeves confirms government is expanding the Warm Homes Plan, promises to 'deliver in full our manifesto commitment' to upgrade millions of homes. She does not explicitly reference doubling of funding to £13.2bn, but that is the implication.
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You could try just listening a little bit, what harm could it do...you can stop anytime...
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@helenbarnard.bsky.social highlights growing challenge of deep poverty. Two in three of the food parcels they deliver are to families with children.
Recent work by @trusselluk.bsky.social and WPI Economics finds there as significant fiscal benefits of tackling child poverty.
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The childcare market is broken says @helenbarnard.bsky.social
The state invests a significant amount, and it is hugely expensive for parents. Yet it is too often inflexible and poor quality, with an underpaid workforce.
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“The most worrying trend is the deepening of poverty“
@helenbarnard.bsky.social highlights the need to win public support to end poverty in our Growing Up Without session.
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... These cuts will utterly undermine this goal. Slashing support damages people’s health & reduces their ability to engage in training and work. And driving up hardship will drive up costs in public services like the NHS. The government has to think again. 4/4
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If it pushes through these ill-considered & cruel cuts, it won't keep this promise - instead, they risk leaving behind a legacy of rising poverty and hunger. We support reforming employment support & helping more people into work, where health & accessible jobs allow. But...3/4
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Comes just after Trussell stats showed nearly 3 million emergency food parcels were provided last year, 1 every 11 seconds. Majority already go to disabled families. This government was elected on a promise of change & ending the need for food banks. 2/4