Karen Buck
@queensparkkaren.bsky.social
Chair, Generation Rent. Old Oak Common DC, Paddington and South Kilburn. Former MP for Westminster North. Labour. Housing, Sondheim, Springsteen and other passions. Views personal.
Reposted by Karen Buck
"It's amazing what people get so angry about and on that side it's lifting children out of poverty," says Rachel Reeves as Conservative MPs try to shout down her announcement that she is scrapping the two child benefit cap which has pushed hundreds of thousands of children below the poverty line
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
"It's amazing what people get so angry about and on that side it's lifting children out of poverty," says Rachel Reeves as Conservative MPs try to shout down her announcement that she is scrapping the two child benefit cap which has pushed hundreds of thousands of children below the poverty line
💯yes to this.
The abolition of the two-child benefit cap, which punishes children for their parents' circumstances, is the best part of the budget, potentially lifting almost half a million children out of poverty.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
It may also be the part that comes under fiercest attack. So it needs celebrating and defending.
And the two child benefit limit is abolished. An enormous victory for those who have campaigned tirelessly for eight long years through successive governments. This will lift at least 450,000 children out of poverty. Fewer kids will be hungry. No more women forced to disclose their rape.
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
💯yes to this.
Reposted by Karen Buck
This is another thing I had to cut from my piece - the minimum wage is best understood as an anti-poverty measure *for single or childless couples at the start of their working lives*. But it's not a lever that helps most people struggling to make ends meet. Only cash transfers do that.
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This is another thing I had to cut from my piece - the minimum wage is best understood as an anti-poverty measure *for single or childless couples at the start of their working lives*. But it's not a lever that helps most people struggling to make ends meet. Only cash transfers do that.
Reposted by Karen Buck
A million low-income households have lost an average of £1,500 each because of Local Housing Allowance Freeze, says new analysis by @theifs.bsky.social
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
Freezes in housing support once again widen geographic disparities for low-income renters | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Freezes to local housing allowances reduce the disposable incomes of low-income private renters. LHA rates should be regularly and locally uprated.
ifs.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A million low-income households have lost an average of £1,500 each because of Local Housing Allowance Freeze, says new analysis by @theifs.bsky.social
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
I think we have tested to destruction the idea, argued by Ministers during the welfare ‘reforms’ post-2010, that if you cut help for low income renters, the market will respond by reducing rents.
NEW: Freezes to housing support have reduced disposable incomes and widened geographic disparities for low-income renters.
📗 Read Jed Michael and Tom Wernham’s new briefing on the implications of local housing allowance (LHA) rate freezes: [THREAD 🧵]
📗 Read Jed Michael and Tom Wernham’s new briefing on the implications of local housing allowance (LHA) rate freezes: [THREAD 🧵]
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I think we have tested to destruction the idea, argued by Ministers during the welfare ‘reforms’ post-2010, that if you cut help for low income renters, the market will respond by reducing rents.
Reposted by Karen Buck
Vote Tory in Westminster; get Reform. The second Westminster Conservative defection in recent months to Reform. Given how right wing some of the current Tory candidates are who else might make the jump particularly after the election in May? www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...
Another London Tory councillor defects to Reform UK amid 'abject crisis'
Councillor Alan Mendoza said Britain was in 'abject crisis'
www.mylondon.news
November 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Vote Tory in Westminster; get Reform. The second Westminster Conservative defection in recent months to Reform. Given how right wing some of the current Tory candidates are who else might make the jump particularly after the election in May? www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...
Reposted by Karen Buck
On asylum there seems to be no attempt to analyse different parts of the problem in a way that allows serious public discussion 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
On asylum there seems to be no attempt to analyse different parts of the problem in a way that allows serious public discussion 🧵
Councils are on their knees after 15 years of financial squeeze. Enforcement (against poor quality accommodation, illegal evictions, illegal short lets) is difficult and expensive. Yet without enforcement capacity we won’t get the best from the legislation….
Our Head of Campaigns @nyejones92.bsky.social told @theguardian.com why landlords MUST be held accountable for the poor quality of our homes.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Two-thirds of English councils have not prosecuted a single landlord in past three years
Exclusive: Councils prosecuted just 64 landlords despite receiving 300,000 complaints from tenants in unfit homes
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Councils are on their knees after 15 years of financial squeeze. Enforcement (against poor quality accommodation, illegal evictions, illegal short lets) is difficult and expensive. Yet without enforcement capacity we won’t get the best from the legislation….
Reposted by Karen Buck
This is very much the majority/median position in the Labour Party, among Labour voters and the general public.
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This is very much the majority/median position in the Labour Party, among Labour voters and the general public.
Reposted by Karen Buck
This is seriously the biggest change in tenancy law in 37 years. A huge thing, which will change renting short and long term.
Renters' Rights Act day is announced! (Partly). It is 1 May 2026. The last valid section 21 notice (except for social landlords) will be served on 30 April 2026. The end of 37 years. Plus more.
nearlylegal.co.uk/2025/11/rent...
nearlylegal.co.uk/2025/11/rent...
Renters Rights Act Day! - Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment
And Lo! The appointed day has been announced! And it is 1 May 2026. Well, partly… On 1 May 2026, the following provisions will come into force: The end of assured shorthold tenancies, fixed terms and ...
nearlylegal.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This is seriously the biggest change in tenancy law in 37 years. A huge thing, which will change renting short and long term.
But a) we were young and b) Stevie Wonder had just released Fulfillingness’ First Finale so obviously most people think ‘swings and roundabouts’
Ah the 1970s.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
But a) we were young and b) Stevie Wonder had just released Fulfillingness’ First Finale so obviously most people think ‘swings and roundabouts’
We have a date for the enactment of the Renters’ Rights Act. Excellent news for millions of private tenants across the country.
On 1 May 2026, we will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions when we switch on the new private rented sector tenancy system.
More details in our roadmap for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act published today 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
More details in our roadmap for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act published today 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025: Our roadmap for reforming the Private Rented Sector
www.gov.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 AM
We have a date for the enactment of the Renters’ Rights Act. Excellent news for millions of private tenants across the country.
Reposted by Karen Buck
NOT NOW, CANNIBAL SOLAR STORM
Rare 'cannibal solar storm' set to hit Earth causing possible disruption to power grid
The phenomenon occurs when multiple bursts of solar energy occur and one wave absorbs another.
news.stv.tv
November 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
NOT NOW, CANNIBAL SOLAR STORM
Reposted by Karen Buck
A good example of someone using "economically inactive" to mean "available for work but choosing not to" and forgetting it covers students, early retirees, carers, severely disabled people, parents with very young children etc...
What on earth is this nonsense from a Blue Labour MP?
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
What, you want a policy targeting zero illness, no full time caring responsibilities, no skills mismatches or career breaks and you think we should heavily crack down on migration until we get there?
Just not serious policy/politics.
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A good example of someone using "economically inactive" to mean "available for work but choosing not to" and forgetting it covers students, early retirees, carers, severely disabled people, parents with very young children etc...
If this comes to pass then it really will be superb news.
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
If this comes to pass then it really will be superb news.
Reposted by Karen Buck
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
This is lovely. As @cathfeely.bsky.social says ‘family history refuses to be contained’ and most of us know that to be true.
For Remembrance Sunday, a short reflection on the life and death of my great grandfather in the twenty years after his return. botheringmiancestors.substack.com/p/the-trench...
The Trenches, the Tram and the Trolley Bus
A twentieth-century story
botheringmiancestors.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:20 PM
This is lovely. As @cathfeely.bsky.social says ‘family history refuses to be contained’ and most of us know that to be true.
Reposted by Karen Buck
Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection. Why is the Director General of the BBC resigning?
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection. Why is the Director General of the BBC resigning?
Reposted by Karen Buck
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
Reposted by Karen Buck
This Labour government is tackling England’s housing crisis by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.
Today we’re launching the full details of our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Today we’re launching the full details of our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036: MHCLG policy statement to accompany guidance to bidders from Homes England and the Greater London Authority
www.gov.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
This Labour government is tackling England’s housing crisis by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.
Today we’re launching the full details of our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Today we’re launching the full details of our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme 👇🏻
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Karen Buck
A freeze to Local Housing Allowance is hard to reconcile with a child poverty strategy (especially if the government is prioritising the After Housing Costs income measure, as it was last I heard).
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A freeze to Local Housing Allowance is hard to reconcile with a child poverty strategy (especially if the government is prioritising the After Housing Costs income measure, as it was last I heard).
Reposted by Karen Buck
big, multicultural cities - they're good!
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 AM
big, multicultural cities - they're good!
Reposted by Karen Buck
With typical clarity and insight, @richardbrown.bsky.social reports on the government's recently released new Index of Multiple Deprivation: www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow... For proof that "north-south divide" populism does nobody any good. #london #truelondon @queensparkkaren.bsky.social
Richard Brown: London's distinctive patterns of deprivation
The government's new Index of Multiple Deprivation has revealed concealed hardships in the capital, despite some distortions and daft debates
www.onlondon.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
With typical clarity and insight, @richardbrown.bsky.social reports on the government's recently released new Index of Multiple Deprivation: www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow... For proof that "north-south divide" populism does nobody any good. #london #truelondon @queensparkkaren.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen Buck
Reposted by Karen Buck
November is #MensMentalHealthMonth 💙 Just 1 in 3 NHS talking therapy referrals are for men, and too many only reach out in crisis. At @npfoodbank & The Exchange, we’re helping men connect & take that first step. Let’s break the silence. #Movember #NPFB
November 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
November is #MensMentalHealthMonth 💙 Just 1 in 3 NHS talking therapy referrals are for men, and too many only reach out in crisis. At @npfoodbank & The Exchange, we’re helping men connect & take that first step. Let’s break the silence. #Movember #NPFB