Katie Schmuecker
@katieschmuecker.bsky.social
Principal Policy Adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation - UK poverty, social policy, politics, research and data. Occasionally crochet, gigs and nature
It’s a policy that has caused so much poverty and hardship. Parents, charities, faith organisations, unions and politicians have for years called for its removal.
The Government listened and acted. Hundreds of thousands of kids will have a brighter future as a result.
The Government listened and acted. Hundreds of thousands of kids will have a brighter future as a result.
November 29, 2025 at 9:10 AM
It’s a policy that has caused so much poverty and hardship. Parents, charities, faith organisations, unions and politicians have for years called for its removal.
The Government listened and acted. Hundreds of thousands of kids will have a brighter future as a result.
The Government listened and acted. Hundreds of thousands of kids will have a brighter future as a result.
Every child should get a good start in life, and universal credit should be there for people when they fall on hard times.
Removing the 2 child limited will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, and lessen its severity for many more.
Removing the 2 child limited will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, and lessen its severity for many more.
November 29, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Every child should get a good start in life, and universal credit should be there for people when they fall on hard times.
Removing the 2 child limited will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, and lessen its severity for many more.
Removing the 2 child limited will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, and lessen its severity for many more.
HALF of children in large low income families on universal credit are growing up in a family that can't afford enough food, heat and/or to keep up with bills.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
HALF of children in large low income families on universal credit are growing up in a family that can't afford enough food, heat and/or to keep up with bills.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
No child in our country should experience that. Removing the two child limit will make a difference to these children.
Reminder: the 2024 Labour Party manifesto pledged to reduce child poverty.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
November 23, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reminder: the 2024 Labour Party manifesto pledged to reduce child poverty.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Removing the two child limit is the most cost effective way to fulfil a promise to give children a good start in life.
Yes! @thetimes.com reporting the two child limit will go in full.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Yes! @thetimes.com reporting the two child limit will go in full.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
Every child should get a good start in life & families should have support to fall back on in tough times.
The result is lower child poverty and brighter futures.
Most of the kids benefitting (6 in 10) are in working families.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social has joined 100+ others to call on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
@jrf-uk.bsky.social has joined 100+ others to call on the government to fully scrap the two-child limit.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Fully scrapping the two-child will deliver a decisive shift in child poverty, boosting children’s opportunities and the UK's potential.
Me on @BBCBreakfast earlier talking about Universal Credit going up next year:
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
October 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Me on @BBCBreakfast earlier talking about Universal Credit going up next year:
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
"the starting point is already at a level where people can't afford the essentials"
It's why we need an independent process to recommend a rate that reflects what people actually need to get by
Without action families with children will see their disposable income fall over this parliament. Couples with children £750 worse off, lone parents £780.That’s electorally perilous.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
September 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Without action families with children will see their disposable income fall over this parliament. Couples with children £750 worse off, lone parents £780.That’s electorally perilous.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
Scrapping the 2 child limit and creating a minimum floor in universal credit would offset the fall.
Charities seeking to ensure every child gets the best start in life have one clear priority for Labour conference
September 30, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Charities seeking to ensure every child gets the best start in life have one clear priority for Labour conference
Polling shows the public expects Labour to tackle poverty, but 60% say they’re going the wrong direction on the cost of living and hardship.
Labour’s Deputy Leadership candidates are right to make child poverty central to their campaigns.
Labour’s Deputy Leadership candidates are right to make child poverty central to their campaigns.
September 21, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Polling shows the public expects Labour to tackle poverty, but 60% say they’re going the wrong direction on the cost of living and hardship.
Labour’s Deputy Leadership candidates are right to make child poverty central to their campaigns.
Labour’s Deputy Leadership candidates are right to make child poverty central to their campaigns.
The voices and priorities of children growing up in low incomes are such an important and missing part of the debate about the child poverty strategy.
A powerful contribution from the Children’s Commissioner today.
A powerful contribution from the Children’s Commissioner today.
July 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The voices and priorities of children growing up in low incomes are such an important and missing part of the debate about the child poverty strategy.
A powerful contribution from the Children’s Commissioner today.
A powerful contribution from the Children’s Commissioner today.
📍The geography of disability benefit cuts & jobs
Some of the places with the highest rates of claims have fewest vacancies to go round.
Cuts will make sick and disabled people poorer.
From @data.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/51d2...
Some of the places with the highest rates of claims have fewest vacancies to go round.
Cuts will make sick and disabled people poorer.
From @data.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/51d2...
June 25, 2025 at 6:31 AM
📍The geography of disability benefit cuts & jobs
Some of the places with the highest rates of claims have fewest vacancies to go round.
Cuts will make sick and disabled people poorer.
From @data.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/51d2...
Some of the places with the highest rates of claims have fewest vacancies to go round.
Cuts will make sick and disabled people poorer.
From @data.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/51d2...
This is a policy the public has noticed and thinks is wrong. 83% have heard of the cuts and 58% say they are a bad idea, just 32% a good idea.
Objections are strongest in key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Objections are strongest in key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
June 18, 2025 at 6:33 AM
This is a policy the public has noticed and thinks is wrong. 83% have heard of the cuts and 58% say they are a bad idea, just 32% a good idea.
Objections are strongest in key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Objections are strongest in key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Our work with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social shows describe the two child limit as helping children get the best start in life and providing support when families are struggling and 56% support getting rid of it, 28% oppose.
May 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Our work with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social shows describe the two child limit as helping children get the best start in life and providing support when families are struggling and 56% support getting rid of it, 28% oppose.
📣new @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis shows 3.6million children in below-average income families are going without at least 1 of: enough food, a warm home or keeping up with bills.
This shocking fact speaks to the real lives at stake as briefings abound about the child poverty strategy
This shocking fact speaks to the real lives at stake as briefings abound about the child poverty strategy
May 25, 2025 at 7:49 AM
📣new @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis shows 3.6million children in below-average income families are going without at least 1 of: enough food, a warm home or keeping up with bills.
This shocking fact speaks to the real lives at stake as briefings abound about the child poverty strategy
This shocking fact speaks to the real lives at stake as briefings abound about the child poverty strategy
The government says its cuts to disability benefits are part of a “moral mission” to get more people working.
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
May 21, 2025 at 6:51 AM
The government says its cuts to disability benefits are part of a “moral mission” to get more people working.
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
But analysis shows fewer than 100,00 are expected to start work by the end of the parliament.
Meanwhile around 3m will have disability & health related benefits cut. 1/4
The child poverty strategy is a moment to signal serious intent to tackle poverty and hardship.
It must be complemented by halting the disability benefit cuts that will drive up poverty. They have been noticed and are unpopular (see bottom right quadrant)
It must be complemented by halting the disability benefit cuts that will drive up poverty. They have been noticed and are unpopular (see bottom right quadrant)
May 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The child poverty strategy is a moment to signal serious intent to tackle poverty and hardship.
It must be complemented by halting the disability benefit cuts that will drive up poverty. They have been noticed and are unpopular (see bottom right quadrant)
It must be complemented by halting the disability benefit cuts that will drive up poverty. They have been noticed and are unpopular (see bottom right quadrant)
56% support removing the 2 child limit when it’s described as helping children get the best start in life & supporting families when they’re struggling (28% oppose)
This is a big shift compared to the control group who were given no narrative (36% favour removal, 49% oppose)
This is a big shift compared to the control group who were given no narrative (36% favour removal, 49% oppose)
May 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
56% support removing the 2 child limit when it’s described as helping children get the best start in life & supporting families when they’re struggling (28% oppose)
This is a big shift compared to the control group who were given no narrative (36% favour removal, 49% oppose)
This is a big shift compared to the control group who were given no narrative (36% favour removal, 49% oppose)
Voters bracketing PIP cuts with winter fuel payment cuts.
People think tackling the cost of living and hardship should be the top priority for government but cutting support for disabled people will deepen hardship.
People think tackling the cost of living and hardship should be the top priority for government but cutting support for disabled people will deepen hardship.
May 2, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Voters bracketing PIP cuts with winter fuel payment cuts.
People think tackling the cost of living and hardship should be the top priority for government but cutting support for disabled people will deepen hardship.
People think tackling the cost of living and hardship should be the top priority for government but cutting support for disabled people will deepen hardship.
New polling with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social finds 58% of people think the cuts to disability benefits are a bad idea.
Objections are particularly strong in some key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Objections are particularly strong in some key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
April 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
New polling with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social finds 58% of people think the cuts to disability benefits are a bad idea.
Objections are particularly strong in some key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Objections are particularly strong in some key parts of Labour's voter coalition (see progressive activists, civic pragmatists & loyal nationals below)
Where will the cuts to sickness & disability benefits hit hardest?
New @jrf-uk.bsky.social constituency analysis shows the % of working age people receiving these benefits in England & Wales.
Some MP inboxes are likely to be brimming, as concern about these plans is widespread
New @jrf-uk.bsky.social constituency analysis shows the % of working age people receiving these benefits in England & Wales.
Some MP inboxes are likely to be brimming, as concern about these plans is widespread
April 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Where will the cuts to sickness & disability benefits hit hardest?
New @jrf-uk.bsky.social constituency analysis shows the % of working age people receiving these benefits in England & Wales.
Some MP inboxes are likely to be brimming, as concern about these plans is widespread
New @jrf-uk.bsky.social constituency analysis shows the % of working age people receiving these benefits in England & Wales.
Some MP inboxes are likely to be brimming, as concern about these plans is widespread
Today bills go up.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social October cost of living tracker found 60% of low income families had gone without essentials in the previous 6 months - a figure barely changed in 2.5 years.
This increased to 88% where a family receives disability benefits.
And that’s before the cuts
@jrf-uk.bsky.social October cost of living tracker found 60% of low income families had gone without essentials in the previous 6 months - a figure barely changed in 2.5 years.
This increased to 88% where a family receives disability benefits.
And that’s before the cuts
April 1, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Today bills go up.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social October cost of living tracker found 60% of low income families had gone without essentials in the previous 6 months - a figure barely changed in 2.5 years.
This increased to 88% where a family receives disability benefits.
And that’s before the cuts
@jrf-uk.bsky.social October cost of living tracker found 60% of low income families had gone without essentials in the previous 6 months - a figure barely changed in 2.5 years.
This increased to 88% where a family receives disability benefits.
And that’s before the cuts
Not only do 44% think the Government's welfare reforms are "too harsh" (compared to 28% "about right")
43% think they make the Labour Party seem "mean spirited" (rising to 50% where someone knows a person who receives disability benefits).
It's not too late to change course.
43% think they make the Labour Party seem "mean spirited" (rising to 50% where someone knows a person who receives disability benefits).
It's not too late to change course.
March 26, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Not only do 44% think the Government's welfare reforms are "too harsh" (compared to 28% "about right")
43% think they make the Labour Party seem "mean spirited" (rising to 50% where someone knows a person who receives disability benefits).
It's not too late to change course.
43% think they make the Labour Party seem "mean spirited" (rising to 50% where someone knows a person who receives disability benefits).
It's not too late to change course.
And according to a recent @moreincommonuk.bsky.social poll, the public had already reached this conclusion anyway
54% thought the changes were motivated by saving money, 32% by getting people into work.
54% thought the changes were motivated by saving money, 32% by getting people into work.
March 26, 2025 at 8:09 AM
And according to a recent @moreincommonuk.bsky.social poll, the public had already reached this conclusion anyway
54% thought the changes were motivated by saving money, 32% by getting people into work.
54% thought the changes were motivated by saving money, 32% by getting people into work.
Some families with a disabled adult stand to lose over £12,000 per year by 2029/30 as a result of the Government's disability benefit cuts.
Hardship being deepened by rebuilding the nations finances on the backs of disabled people
And polling suggests the public know it.
Hardship being deepened by rebuilding the nations finances on the backs of disabled people
And polling suggests the public know it.
March 26, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Some families with a disabled adult stand to lose over £12,000 per year by 2029/30 as a result of the Government's disability benefit cuts.
Hardship being deepened by rebuilding the nations finances on the backs of disabled people
And polling suggests the public know it.
Hardship being deepened by rebuilding the nations finances on the backs of disabled people
And polling suggests the public know it.