Alex Clegg
@alexclegg.bsky.social
Economist at the Resolution Foundation, focusing on social security, poverty and living standards
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Unless DWP improves the clarity of its UC statistics by splitting out claimants who migrate from legacy benefits to UC vs those who make new claims, we're going to keep getting misleading headlines like this for the foreseeable future...
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Unless DWP improves the clarity of its UC statistics by splitting out claimants who migrate from legacy benefits to UC vs those who make new claims, we're going to keep getting misleading headlines like this for the foreseeable future...
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Local Housing Allowance rates have been realigned to market rents in just two of the last 13 years.
Current Government policy is for them to remain frozen . This risks a record 'affordability gap' opening between LHA rates and the 30th percentile of local rents.
➡️ buff.ly/gJR1hmO
Current Government policy is for them to remain frozen . This risks a record 'affordability gap' opening between LHA rates and the 30th percentile of local rents.
➡️ buff.ly/gJR1hmO
November 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Local Housing Allowance rates have been realigned to market rents in just two of the last 13 years.
Current Government policy is for them to remain frozen . This risks a record 'affordability gap' opening between LHA rates and the 30th percentile of local rents.
➡️ buff.ly/gJR1hmO
Current Government policy is for them to remain frozen . This risks a record 'affordability gap' opening between LHA rates and the 30th percentile of local rents.
➡️ buff.ly/gJR1hmO
New Universal Credit statistics today show the % of claimants in the ‘no work requirements’ conditionality group has continued to rise to 49%, and the proportion in work has fallen to 33%. This is likely to be written up as ‘a rise in claimants not required to work’, but context is very important! 🧵
November 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
New Universal Credit statistics today show the % of claimants in the ‘no work requirements’ conditionality group has continued to rise to 49%, and the proportion in work has fallen to 33%. This is likely to be written up as ‘a rise in claimants not required to work’, but context is very important! 🧵
In 2010 I was in my friend's flat in Kentish Town and we suddenly heard that whistling song from Kill Bill REALLY loud in the street outside. We went to the window and looked down.
Jonathan Ross was driving slowly down the street in a red convertible with leopard print seats smoking a cigar.
Jonathan Ross was driving slowly down the street in a red convertible with leopard print seats smoking a cigar.
November 6, 2025 at 11:16 PM
In 2010 I was in my friend's flat in Kentish Town and we suddenly heard that whistling song from Kill Bill REALLY loud in the street outside. We went to the window and looked down.
Jonathan Ross was driving slowly down the street in a red convertible with leopard print seats smoking a cigar.
Jonathan Ross was driving slowly down the street in a red convertible with leopard print seats smoking a cigar.
I spoke to the Guardian about the necessity of scrapping the two-child limit in full to get child poverty to fall over the Parliament, and how to go further (relink LHA to rents, lift the benefit cap) to achieve a sustained reduction www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Tuesday briefing: Why Labour won’t press the ‘big red button’ to lift 450,000 children out of poverty
In today’s newsletter: The Labour Party recently sounded resolute in its intention to cut the two-child benefit cap. But against an ugly fiscal backdrop, the chancellor may be having second thoughts
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I spoke to the Guardian about the necessity of scrapping the two-child limit in full to get child poverty to fall over the Parliament, and how to go further (relink LHA to rents, lift the benefit cap) to achieve a sustained reduction www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Alex Clegg
It's disappointing to see the Government reportedly distancing themselves from a full repeal of the two-child limit 👉 buff.ly/bRVP16Z
Here's why 🧵 ⤵️
Here's why 🧵 ⤵️
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's disappointing to see the Government reportedly distancing themselves from a full repeal of the two-child limit 👉 buff.ly/bRVP16Z
Here's why 🧵 ⤵️
Here's why 🧵 ⤵️
Reposted by Alex Clegg
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 10:15 AM
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 ⤵️
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
No half measures • Resolution Foundation
The Government’s long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy is due next month, close to, or contemporaneous with, the Autumn Budget. There have been some welcome announcements already: the over-indexation of...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New @resfoundation.bsky.social analysis: Any of the rumoured half-measure options for repealing the two-child limit would leave child poverty HIGHER at the end of the Parliament than it was when the Government took power. 🧵https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/no-half-measures/
Reposted by Alex Clegg
The two child limit and benefit cap are "economically inefficient" because [they] "undermine public health, early years development and educational outcomes.... This in turn increases pressure on local services, including schools, health and housing." 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 12:01 PM
The two child limit and benefit cap are "economically inefficient" because [they] "undermine public health, early years development and educational outcomes.... This in turn increases pressure on local services, including schools, health and housing." www.lbc.co.uk/article/grou...
Reposted by Alex Clegg
New spotlight from me covering what the latest inflation data means for benefit uprating out now. Here’s a quick summary:
October 23, 2025 at 8:16 AM
New spotlight from me covering what the latest inflation data means for benefit uprating out now. Here’s a quick summary:
Very encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but it is disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered. Thread on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy:
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 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Very encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but it is disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered. Thread on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy:
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Over the past two decades, the Resolution Foundation has worked to put living standards at the heart of political debates through its forensic research and hard-headed policy work.
As we mark our 20th anniversary, we reflect on the past and future of living standards in Britain.
👉 buff.ly/NuhNFF9
As we mark our 20th anniversary, we reflect on the past and future of living standards in Britain.
👉 buff.ly/NuhNFF9
September 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Over the past two decades, the Resolution Foundation has worked to put living standards at the heart of political debates through its forensic research and hard-headed policy work.
As we mark our 20th anniversary, we reflect on the past and future of living standards in Britain.
👉 buff.ly/NuhNFF9
As we mark our 20th anniversary, we reflect on the past and future of living standards in Britain.
👉 buff.ly/NuhNFF9
Reposted by Alex Clegg
ICYMI - new report out yesterday by me and Imogen Stone on how disabilities and caring affect low-to-middle income families, drawing on quant analysis and focus groups with disabled people and carers. Thread on key findings below 🧵 www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Don't forget about us • Resolution Foundation
This briefing note combines quantitative data with insights from focus groups to explore how disabilities and caring responsibilities affect these families’ lives and living standards.
www.resolutionfoundation.org
July 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
ICYMI - new report out yesterday by me and Imogen Stone on how disabilities and caring affect low-to-middle income families, drawing on quant analysis and focus groups with disabled people and carers. Thread on key findings below 🧵 www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Tonight, Rachel Reeves delivers her Mansion House speech, and we expect she’ll announce the long-awaited review into pension adequacy (alongside other reforms such as financial deregulation).
July 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Tonight, Rachel Reeves delivers her Mansion House speech, and we expect she’ll announce the long-awaited review into pension adequacy (alongside other reforms such as financial deregulation).
The DWP published this year's stats on households impacted by the two-child limit today, which include some welcome new breakdowns on gender and ethnicity, receipt of health/disability benefits, conditionality group, and whether households are affected by the benefit cap. Quick thread/
www.gov.uk
July 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The DWP published this year's stats on households impacted by the two-child limit today, which include some welcome new breakdowns on gender and ethnicity, receipt of health/disability benefits, conditionality group, and whether households are affected by the benefit cap. Quick thread/
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Some more details this morning on the welfare bill concessions. Things we learn: 1) it is overall UC income that will be protected in real terms for existing recipients, so the UC-health element goes up somewhere between the original policy to freeze in cash terms and inflation.
June 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Some more details this morning on the welfare bill concessions. Things we learn: 1) it is overall UC income that will be protected in real terms for existing recipients, so the UC-health element goes up somewhere between the original policy to freeze in cash terms and inflation.
The Household Support Fund is now the 'Crisis and Resilience Fund' and will be funded at £1 bn/yr (incl. Barnett) until the end of 2028-29. The first multi-year funding will be very helpful for local authorities delivering the scheme as they can now plan, develop their approach, retain staff etc.
June 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The Household Support Fund is now the 'Crisis and Resilience Fund' and will be funded at £1 bn/yr (incl. Barnett) until the end of 2028-29. The first multi-year funding will be very helpful for local authorities delivering the scheme as they can now plan, develop their approach, retain staff etc.
Today the Government announced that Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will be extended to all pensioners with income below £35,000, with the payments to be restored from this winter. A quick thread on what this means and how it will work...
June 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Today the Government announced that Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will be extended to all pensioners with income below £35,000, with the payments to be restored from this winter. A quick thread on what this means and how it will work...
Potentially a good sign that the child poverty strategy isn't coming until the autumn. If the full strategy was announced in June it's unlikely it would have contained any additional benefit spending
Me on the child poverty strategy, now rumoured to be due this autumn.
May 23, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Potentially a good sign that the child poverty strategy isn't coming until the autumn. If the full strategy was announced in June it's unlikely it would have contained any additional benefit spending
Reposted by Alex Clegg
Blog on the government's three big benefit battles. I fear the brutal maths means concessions on winter fuel mean less money for disability and child poverty. Looking at living standards trends across the piece - children would be the priority. www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/what...
What should the Government prioritise when tackling its welfare trilemma? • Resolution Foundation
U-turn if you want to – a sensible culture of government allows politicians to reverse their mistakes. But also U-turn with care. With too many swerves, leaders lose their grip on the wheel. Ultimatel...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
May 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Blog on the government's three big benefit battles. I fear the brutal maths means concessions on winter fuel mean less money for disability and child poverty. Looking at living standards trends across the piece - children would be the priority. www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/what...
Our new report on the Household Support Fund, part of the @safety-nets.bsky.social project, is out today. It draws on analysis of HSF admin data and interviews with LAs and @changingrealities.bsky.social participants to identify how the HSF can be improved in a long-term settlement /Thread
Renew and improve • Resolution Foundation
This briefing note, part of the Safety Nets project, assesses how the Household Support Fund could be improved in a longer-term settlement, through analysis of administrative data and interviews with ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
May 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Our new report on the Household Support Fund, part of the @safety-nets.bsky.social project, is out today. It draws on analysis of HSF admin data and interviews with LAs and @changingrealities.bsky.social participants to identify how the HSF can be improved in a long-term settlement /Thread
Raising the income thresholds for Winter Fuel Payment eligibility would be tricky to implement, as Ruth outlines. Last year we modelled extending eligibility to families claiming Housing Benefit or disability benefits, which would cost £300m and benefit 1.3 million families
May 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Raising the income thresholds for Winter Fuel Payment eligibility would be tricky to implement, as Ruth outlines. Last year we modelled extending eligibility to families claiming Housing Benefit or disability benefits, which would cost £300m and benefit 1.3 million families
Reposted by Alex Clegg
After announcing multi-billion-pound cuts to health and disability benefits, the Chancellor said that "I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work."
New @resfoundation.bsky.social work out today puts this to the test...
New @resfoundation.bsky.social work out today puts this to the test...
May 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
After announcing multi-billion-pound cuts to health and disability benefits, the Chancellor said that "I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work."
New @resfoundation.bsky.social work out today puts this to the test...
New @resfoundation.bsky.social work out today puts this to the test...
Reposted by Alex Clegg
There has been speculation in recent weeks that the Government is considering measures that would reduce the impact of the two-child limit, but fall short of fully scrapping it.
But none of these compromise measures represent an acceptable long-term solution.
Read more: buff.ly/oiV5Re2
But none of these compromise measures represent an acceptable long-term solution.
Read more: buff.ly/oiV5Re2
May 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
There has been speculation in recent weeks that the Government is considering measures that would reduce the impact of the two-child limit, but fall short of fully scrapping it.
But none of these compromise measures represent an acceptable long-term solution.
Read more: buff.ly/oiV5Re2
But none of these compromise measures represent an acceptable long-term solution.
Read more: buff.ly/oiV5Re2