Hilary Burkitt
@hilaryburkitt.bsky.social
Housing, poverty, social policy, cats | Housing policy at Independent Age
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
This has long been in the making and is a critical challenge for policy makers. One tends to assume those renting are younger, more transient populations. However, as our housing crises continue unabated families & elderly tenants will be the norm. In a volatile PRS that is deeply problematic.
The rapid rise of renters in their 60s: ‘I hate the idea of house-sharing – but I have no choice’.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The rapid rise of renters in their 60s: ‘I hate the idea of house-sharing – but I have no choice’
It is often assumed that people of retirement age will no longer have housing costs to cover. But for a significant and growing group, this is far from the case
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
This has long been in the making and is a critical challenge for policy makers. One tends to assume those renting are younger, more transient populations. However, as our housing crises continue unabated families & elderly tenants will be the norm. In a volatile PRS that is deeply problematic.
Well said by my colleague Josh!
Older private renters are living with damp, mould and cold in their homes – and it’s threatening their health and wellbeing.
That’s why our supporter @independentage.bsky.social, joined us at the Launch of Hazmat Loungewear.
Find out more about what we are calling for.👉https://bit.ly/4nHViVo
That’s why our supporter @independentage.bsky.social, joined us at the Launch of Hazmat Loungewear.
Find out more about what we are calling for.👉https://bit.ly/4nHViVo
November 13, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Well said by my colleague Josh!
How is this a comfortable sleeping position?
November 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
How is this a comfortable sleeping position?
Oh good grief ANOTHER minister bungling their housing affairs?
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Oh good grief ANOTHER minister bungling their housing affairs?
Remarkably, given I was led to believe queueing at the bar (WTF) was a Gen-Z phenomenon, there's no significant differences in preference by age...
The forming of orderly lines in pubs appears to be an emerging phenomenon, and Britons are divided on what system they prefer
Single-file queue: 40%
Bar scrum: 39%
yougov.co.uk/topics/consu...
Single-file queue: 40%
Bar scrum: 39%
yougov.co.uk/topics/consu...
September 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Remarkably, given I was led to believe queueing at the bar (WTF) was a Gen-Z phenomenon, there's no significant differences in preference by age...
I've had a trivial personal vendetta against Peter Mandelson since he shut the door of 10 Downing St in my face when I was briefly working there many years ago. Bigger reasons to be glad he's gone, but that's mine.
September 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I've had a trivial personal vendetta against Peter Mandelson since he shut the door of 10 Downing St in my face when I was briefly working there many years ago. Bigger reasons to be glad he's gone, but that's mine.
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Nearly 4m renters are struggling to pay their energy bills and 3.5m are living with mould and damp.
Great article by @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social on why renters need protection against rent hikes after retrofit work, to make sure they enjoy their new warmer home ⬇️
labourlist.org/2025/07/comm...
Great article by @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social on why renters need protection against rent hikes after retrofit work, to make sure they enjoy their new warmer home ⬇️
labourlist.org/2025/07/comm...
'Time to protect renters against hikes when their landlord receives a grant' - LabourList
Bell Ribeiro-Addy calls on the Government to strengthen protections for renters as part of its Warm Homes Plan, with a focus on instances where public money is used.
labourlist.org
July 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Nearly 4m renters are struggling to pay their energy bills and 3.5m are living with mould and damp.
Great article by @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social on why renters need protection against rent hikes after retrofit work, to make sure they enjoy their new warmer home ⬇️
labourlist.org/2025/07/comm...
Great article by @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social on why renters need protection against rent hikes after retrofit work, to make sure they enjoy their new warmer home ⬇️
labourlist.org/2025/07/comm...
Good grief this is an alarming chart - fewer than 1 in 3 landlords know they legally have to protect tenant deposits, awareness of other legal requirements not much better
June 28, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Good grief this is an alarming chart - fewer than 1 in 3 landlords know they legally have to protect tenant deposits, awareness of other legal requirements not much better
Really appreciated the opportunity to speak to the Work & Pensions Select Committee about how Local Housing Allowance rates are impacting older renters
June 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Really appreciated the opportunity to speak to the Work & Pensions Select Committee about how Local Housing Allowance rates are impacting older renters
Good to know that when the machines take over, us humans will still be able to confound them by leaving each other voicemails
June 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Good to know that when the machines take over, us humans will still be able to confound them by leaving each other voicemails
Such a thought-provoking and inspiring day at #IAConference25 earlier this week
We had an incredible time at #IAConference25, sharing experiences and discussing the ways that we can end poverty in later life.
As our Chief Executive @joanna-elson.bsky.social concluded: "When we work together we really can change things."
www.independentage.org/PovertyInLat...
As our Chief Executive @joanna-elson.bsky.social concluded: "When we work together we really can change things."
www.independentage.org/PovertyInLat...
June 20, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Such a thought-provoking and inspiring day at #IAConference25 earlier this week
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
The government plans to upgrade millions of rented homes to EPC C by 2030. But without protections from rent rises, landlords can raise rents and profit from upgrades meant for tenants.
Hear our Research & Policy Manager, Parissa Zand, on ElmhurstEnergy’s podcast 👇
Hear our Research & Policy Manager, Parissa Zand, on ElmhurstEnergy’s podcast 👇
June 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The government plans to upgrade millions of rented homes to EPC C by 2030. But without protections from rent rises, landlords can raise rents and profit from upgrades meant for tenants.
Hear our Research & Policy Manager, Parissa Zand, on ElmhurstEnergy’s podcast 👇
Hear our Research & Policy Manager, Parissa Zand, on ElmhurstEnergy’s podcast 👇
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Cutting the Warm Homes Plan is a cut to pensioners and people living with a disability, when govt also cuts personal independence payments and winter fuel
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Don’t cut £13.2bn warm homes pledge over winter fuel payments, Labour told
Charities and experts urge government to honour pledge on energy efficiency as it looks to pay for policy reversal
www.theguardian.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Cutting the Warm Homes Plan is a cut to pensioners and people living with a disability, when govt also cuts personal independence payments and winter fuel
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
One elusive word away from Queen Bee - 7 letters beginning with NA - HIVEMIND WHAT IS IT?!
May 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
One elusive word away from Queen Bee - 7 letters beginning with NA - HIVEMIND WHAT IS IT?!
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Cold homes disproportionately affect older people. One of this government's lasting legacies could be to insulate homes rented by older rented people. New @independentage.bsky.social report discusses how we can carefully insulate rented homes lived in by older people, take a look
shorturl.at/2tmbQ.
shorturl.at/2tmbQ.
April 14, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Cold homes disproportionately affect older people. One of this government's lasting legacies could be to insulate homes rented by older rented people. New @independentage.bsky.social report discusses how we can carefully insulate rented homes lived in by older people, take a look
shorturl.at/2tmbQ.
shorturl.at/2tmbQ.
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Imagine your home being so cold you have to open the windows in winter to let warmer air IN. We desperately need to improve energy efficiency in the PRS.
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
I'm a 77-year-old renter on a pension - in winter it's colder inside than out
Older private renters are disproportionately likely to be in poverty and living in less energy efficient homes, putting their physical and mental health at risk
inews.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Imagine your home being so cold you have to open the windows in winter to let warmer air IN. We desperately need to improve energy efficiency in the PRS.
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
Imagine your home being so cold you have to open the windows in winter to let warmer air IN. We desperately need to improve energy efficiency in the PRS.
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
I'm a 77-year-old renter on a pension - in winter it's colder inside than out
Older private renters are disproportionately likely to be in poverty and living in less energy efficient homes, putting their physical and mental health at risk
inews.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Imagine your home being so cold you have to open the windows in winter to let warmer air IN. We desperately need to improve energy efficiency in the PRS.
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
inews.co.uk/news/renting...
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Opportunity to be part of four UK nation’s conversations about social security and how it differs depending on where you live. Please share this 🧵 and help us spread the world
🧵 Exciting news – we’re now seeking expressions of interest for the Devolved Conversations part of our Safety Nets project!
April 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Opportunity to be part of four UK nation’s conversations about social security and how it differs depending on where you live. Please share this 🧵 and help us spread the world
Another great job opportunity here for a data geek. Exciting and important work!
jobs.theguardian.com/job/9505751/...
jobs.theguardian.com/job/9505751/...
Director of Data and Analytics - UK Flexible, remote, or hybrid for London-based staff job with CENTRE FOR HOMELESSNESS IMPACT | 9505751
Want to drive systemic change by enabling data-driven, evidence-based decisions? Join our team. Excellent benefits.
jobs.theguardian.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Another great job opportunity here for a data geek. Exciting and important work!
jobs.theguardian.com/job/9505751/...
jobs.theguardian.com/job/9505751/...
If I were more competent in economics I'd be all over this - dream job here for housing wonks:
We have a vacancy at Resolution Foundation for someone to lead our housing policy work. £55 - £68k, office based in Westminster.
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
March 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
If I were more competent in economics I'd be all over this - dream job here for housing wonks:
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
its amazing how chatgpt knows everything about subjects I know nothing about, but is wrong like 40% of the time in things im an expert on. not going to think about this any further
March 8, 2025 at 12:13 AM
its amazing how chatgpt knows everything about subjects I know nothing about, but is wrong like 40% of the time in things im an expert on. not going to think about this any further
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Meanwhile housing benefit is frozen in cash terms - meaning it's falling in real terms by these levels
Inflation is up by 3%, but private rents are up by 8.7% across the UK and 11%(!!!) in London.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
February 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Meanwhile housing benefit is frozen in cash terms - meaning it's falling in real terms by these levels
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Inflation is up by 3%, but private rents are up by 8.7% across the UK and 11%(!!!) in London.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
February 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Inflation is up by 3%, but private rents are up by 8.7% across the UK and 11%(!!!) in London.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
Across GB, it means paying ~£100 more per month on average since Jan 24, or ~£200 more per month since Jan 23.
In London, £220 more per month since Jan 24, or ~£400(!) more per month since Jan 23.
Reposted by Hilary Burkitt
Labour must seize the moment to show child poverty matters in push for growth www.theguardian.com/business/202... Great summary of the choices and challenges facing Labour, by @guardianheather.bsky.social
Labour must seize the moment to show child poverty matters in push for growth | Heather Stewart
Scrapping two-child benefit cap is among levers Rachel Reeves could pull – yet chancellor remains silent on ‘shameful’ levels of poverty
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Labour must seize the moment to show child poverty matters in push for growth www.theguardian.com/business/202... Great summary of the choices and challenges facing Labour, by @guardianheather.bsky.social
No wonder people don’t want to see the Grenfell tower dismantled, when some seem hell-bent on forgetting the consequences of our last bonfire of “red tape”
I’m getting really fed up of these abstract attacks on ‘regulation’ - why is Andy Haldane advocating the Doge approach for UK - blanket halving the number of regulators and their budgets? on.ft.com/416pqlx 1/2
How to dismantle the UK’s regulatory Tower of Babel
Labour’s erratic, piecemeal approach will not deliver lasting change
on.ft.com
February 8, 2025 at 9:08 AM
No wonder people don’t want to see the Grenfell tower dismantled, when some seem hell-bent on forgetting the consequences of our last bonfire of “red tape”