Rod Hick
@rodhick.bsky.social
Professor of Social Policy at Cardiff University. Poverty | social security | work | housing. Incalculable damage-doer. www.rodhick.com
Reposted by Rod Hick
I’m not sure ‘our national security developed vetting technique can be beaten if a candidate is prepared to lie’ is an especially helpful line to push.
February 4, 2026 at 12:49 PM
I’m not sure ‘our national security developed vetting technique can be beaten if a candidate is prepared to lie’ is an especially helpful line to push.
More flat-footedness by Starmer's government. A statement overtaken by events by the time of its delivery. Conservative response much more powerful.
February 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
More flat-footedness by Starmer's government. A statement overtaken by events by the time of its delivery. Conservative response much more powerful.
Reposted by Rod Hick
Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.
Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).
Reposted by Rod Hick
I'll be contributing to the Academics Stand Against Poverty Webinar on 26th February 2026 (2:30-4pm) discussing social security and Welsh and Scot Elections alongside Richard Machin and @rodhick.bsky.social
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Academics Stand Against Poverty UK | Manifesto Audit
ASAP UK brings together a range of academics who have carried out a review of 9 key topics to consider the effectiveness of the public policy platforms in reducing poverty.
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:08 AM
I'll be contributing to the Academics Stand Against Poverty Webinar on 26th February 2026 (2:30-4pm) discussing social security and Welsh and Scot Elections alongside Richard Machin and @rodhick.bsky.social
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...
Reposted by Rod Hick
The latest USoc wave lets us split out the Covid years from what came after.
So striking that they look the same!
Average mental ill health (based on a general screening instrument) is no better now than during the lockdown years, at any age. @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
So striking that they look the same!
Average mental ill health (based on a general screening instrument) is no better now than during the lockdown years, at any age. @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 1:53 PM
The latest USoc wave lets us split out the Covid years from what came after.
So striking that they look the same!
Average mental ill health (based on a general screening instrument) is no better now than during the lockdown years, at any age. @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
So striking that they look the same!
Average mental ill health (based on a general screening instrument) is no better now than during the lockdown years, at any age. @alexbryson.bsky.social @dannyblanchy.bsky.social
This was, ofc, a remarkable thing to say.
In the podcast, Morgan goes out of her way to draw this comparison with Drakeford, raising it more than once.
What's less clear is how her growth-centric orientation really differs from Keir Starmer's policy approach.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In the podcast, Morgan goes out of her way to draw this comparison with Drakeford, raising it more than once.
What's less clear is how her growth-centric orientation really differs from Keir Starmer's policy approach.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Welsh finance secretary never interested in economy - Eluned Morgan
Eluned Morgan said there was a fundamental difference between her and Mark Drakeford, who handles Wales' £25bn budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 7:27 PM
This was, ofc, a remarkable thing to say.
In the podcast, Morgan goes out of her way to draw this comparison with Drakeford, raising it more than once.
What's less clear is how her growth-centric orientation really differs from Keir Starmer's policy approach.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In the podcast, Morgan goes out of her way to draw this comparison with Drakeford, raising it more than once.
What's less clear is how her growth-centric orientation really differs from Keir Starmer's policy approach.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thoughts from me on yesterday's budget statement from Rachel Reeves.
A day to celebrate in terms of tackling child poverty, but how credible is increasing taxation in each year of this decade and beyond?
open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
A day to celebrate in terms of tackling child poverty, but how credible is increasing taxation in each year of this decade and beyond?
open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
Good riddance to the two-child limit!
Reflections on Autumn Budget 2025
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Thoughts from me on yesterday's budget statement from Rachel Reeves.
A day to celebrate in terms of tackling child poverty, but how credible is increasing taxation in each year of this decade and beyond?
open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
A day to celebrate in terms of tackling child poverty, but how credible is increasing taxation in each year of this decade and beyond?
open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
Reposted by Rod Hick
Some reflections from me on today's Autumn Budget statement open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
Good riddance to the two-child limit!
Reflections on Autumn Budget 2025
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Some reflections from me on today's Autumn Budget statement open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
Some reflections from me on today's Autumn Budget statement open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
Good riddance to the two-child limit!
Reflections on Autumn Budget 2025
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Some reflections from me on today's Autumn Budget statement open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...
The major announcement about the abolition of the two-child limit set up with reference to the equal worth of all children and their entitlement to an equal start in life.
Remarkable that policy has cut against this for so long. An important moment.
Remarkable that policy has cut against this for so long. An important moment.
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The major announcement about the abolition of the two-child limit set up with reference to the equal worth of all children and their entitlement to an equal start in life.
Remarkable that policy has cut against this for so long. An important moment.
Remarkable that policy has cut against this for so long. An important moment.
Finally coming to the main tax measures now. We've had 40 mins of pretty small measures thus far #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Finally coming to the main tax measures now. We've had 40 mins of pretty small measures thus far #Budget2025
Reposted by Rod Hick
Andy Bartlett and I have a book coming out in November called Bigfooters and Scientific Inquiry. Combing an STS analysis with cultural sociology we hope this contributes to the burgeoning field of the sociology of mystery. Below I include a list of abstracts for the main substantive chapters
October 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Andy Bartlett and I have a book coming out in November called Bigfooters and Scientific Inquiry. Combing an STS analysis with cultural sociology we hope this contributes to the burgeoning field of the sociology of mystery. Below I include a list of abstracts for the main substantive chapters
Reposted by Rod Hick
hadn’t realized how unsettling a drawing of small breasts could be
September 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
hadn’t realized how unsettling a drawing of small breasts could be
Can't be at ESPAnet this year, but following it at a remove on here. Delivered my own presentation this morning which seemed to go down pretty well.
Look forward to reconnecting next year, hopefully somewhere interesting. Bucharest, anyone?
Look forward to reconnecting next year, hopefully somewhere interesting. Bucharest, anyone?
August 28, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Can't be at ESPAnet this year, but following it at a remove on here. Delivered my own presentation this morning which seemed to go down pretty well.
Look forward to reconnecting next year, hopefully somewhere interesting. Bucharest, anyone?
Look forward to reconnecting next year, hopefully somewhere interesting. Bucharest, anyone?
My goodness. The chancellor of the exchequer is longer odds to be next PM than...Andrew Tate?
August 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
My goodness. The chancellor of the exchequer is longer odds to be next PM than...Andrew Tate?
So the other place permits and amps all manner of intolerant and repellent stuff, but at least there my timeline is boiling with anger at Israel's genocide in Gaza. Here I see more attention devoted to Gavin Newsom's latest post, instrumental variables, or G**dwin's latest observations about London.
August 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
So the other place permits and amps all manner of intolerant and repellent stuff, but at least there my timeline is boiling with anger at Israel's genocide in Gaza. Here I see more attention devoted to Gavin Newsom's latest post, instrumental variables, or G**dwin's latest observations about London.
Eh, what? Bertie Ahern third favourite to become Ireland's next president?
August 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Eh, what? Bertie Ahern third favourite to become Ireland's next president?
It's good to see the Labour government reconstitute the Pensions Commission to look into the adequacy of retirement savings but placing the triple lock outside of their remit seems like another DWP misstep, not least since the adequacy of voluntary saving depends on the value of the state pension...
July 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
It's good to see the Labour government reconstitute the Pensions Commission to look into the adequacy of retirement savings but placing the triple lock outside of their remit seems like another DWP misstep, not least since the adequacy of voluntary saving depends on the value of the state pension...
Reposted by Rod Hick
The welfare bill has passed but it’s barely the same bill. It is government by cut and paste and with such chaotic speed, many ministers will barely know what’s in it. An utter shambles for Labour - and horrific unnecessary stress and suffering for disabled and sick people watching on.
July 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The welfare bill has passed but it’s barely the same bill. It is government by cut and paste and with such chaotic speed, many ministers will barely know what’s in it. An utter shambles for Labour - and horrific unnecessary stress and suffering for disabled and sick people watching on.
Reposted by Rod Hick
The government tried to pull off an arbitrary cut to disability benefits, reverse engineered from a savings target. There was never a coherent argument for it, and so they could never convince. The PM's morality line was particularly misguided. None of it ever connected to the substance of reforms
July 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The government tried to pull off an arbitrary cut to disability benefits, reverse engineered from a savings target. There was never a coherent argument for it, and so they could never convince. The PM's morality line was particularly misguided. None of it ever connected to the substance of reforms
Oh dear, oh dear. Timms strongly emphasises transitions into work in his concluding speech, but PIP is not an out-of-work benefit.
July 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Oh dear, oh dear. Timms strongly emphasises transitions into work in his concluding speech, but PIP is not an out-of-work benefit.
A lot now depends on the Timms review and government delaying legislation until after it reports implies a deference to its recommendations. Calls in the Commons to bring its reporting schedule forward, but there must also be questions about whether the review needs to be expanded.
July 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A lot now depends on the Timms review and government delaying legislation until after it reports implies a deference to its recommendations. Calls in the Commons to bring its reporting schedule forward, but there must also be questions about whether the review needs to be expanded.
There have now been so many concessions that it must be asked what this legislation is now for. It's difficult to see how this doesn't constrain, and risk compromising, the Timms review. The stakes on that review have also raised considerably.
News of a further consession, that the PIP eligibility changes will take place *after* the Timms review into PIP is finished.
Begs the question: why try to pass legislation today about introducing the PIP four-point rule, only to then launch a PIP review which could lead to this being scrapped!?
Begs the question: why try to pass legislation today about introducing the PIP four-point rule, only to then launch a PIP review which could lead to this being scrapped!?
July 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
There have now been so many concessions that it must be asked what this legislation is now for. It's difficult to see how this doesn't constrain, and risk compromising, the Timms review. The stakes on that review have also raised considerably.
Reposted by Rod Hick
This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading
June 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This could be the fatal blow these cuts-posing-as-reforms deserve
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
Supporting more disabled people into work is a welcome aspiration, but cutting benefits for this group to meet an imposed savings target, with no meaningful consultation, is neither supportive of nor justified by that objective
And...Chad?
🌞✈️The heatwave has us thinking about holidays. But where do Brits think is best for a holiday? Turns out lots of us are proud homebodies and think the best places are in the UK followed by the Med. Outside of Europe our top choices are Florida, Japan & Australia/New Zealand.
June 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
And...Chad?