mattpadley.bsky.social
@mattpadley.bsky.social
Co-Director and Professor at the Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University. Research/think/write on poverty, living standards, income, retirement. Running may sneak in now & then.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
📣The real Living Wage rates have risen!
⭐£13.45 across the UK
⭐ £14.80 in London
Half a million workers will get a pay rise thanks to the commitment of a growing movement of over 16,000 leading employers such as @ikeauk.bsky.social Everton Football Club and @avivaplc.bsky.social
⭐£13.45 across the UK
⭐ £14.80 in London
Half a million workers will get a pay rise thanks to the commitment of a growing movement of over 16,000 leading employers such as @ikeauk.bsky.social Everton Football Club and @avivaplc.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM
📣The real Living Wage rates have risen!
⭐£13.45 across the UK
⭐ £14.80 in London
Half a million workers will get a pay rise thanks to the commitment of a growing movement of over 16,000 leading employers such as @ikeauk.bsky.social Everton Football Club and @avivaplc.bsky.social
⭐£13.45 across the UK
⭐ £14.80 in London
Half a million workers will get a pay rise thanks to the commitment of a growing movement of over 16,000 leading employers such as @ikeauk.bsky.social Everton Football Club and @avivaplc.bsky.social
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
New figures from Shelter show that the number of children homeless or in temporary accommodation in England has reached its highest level since records began.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
October 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
New figures from Shelter show that the number of children homeless or in temporary accommodation in England has reached its highest level since records began.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
“I think politicians are ignoring prices and bills and hoping we’ll forget about them and find something else to complain about…”
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration
Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?
www.newstatesman.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:51 AM
“I think politicians are ignoring prices and bills and hoping we’ll forget about them and find something else to complain about…”
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
This is what we keep seeing- and keep saying- at Citizens Advice. Was in Durham today speaking to debt advisors and no one there thought the cost of living crisis had ended.
“I think politicians are ignoring prices and bills and hoping we’ll forget about them and find something else to complain about…”
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration
Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?
www.newstatesman.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This is what we keep seeing- and keep saying- at Citizens Advice. Was in Durham today speaking to debt advisors and no one there thought the cost of living crisis had ended.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
September 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
📢 Benefit cuts don’t have widespread support
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
After a year of a new govt people on low to middle incomes are still struggling to reach the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) 📢
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
September 9, 2025 at 7:36 AM
After a year of a new govt people on low to middle incomes are still struggling to reach the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) 📢
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
Our latest @crsp-uk.bsky.social report for @jrf-uk.bsky.social, out today, paints a stark picture for households on low-to-middle incomes, for whom benefits and earnings still leave them far short of a minimum living standard. Hear more from @mattpadley.bsky.social below.
After a year of a new govt people on low to middle incomes are still struggling to reach the Minimum Income Standard (MIS) 📢
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
@crsp-uk.bsky.social, supported by JRF, calculated the costs needed to achieve this standard of living in the UK in 2025 1/4
September 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Our latest @crsp-uk.bsky.social report for @jrf-uk.bsky.social, out today, paints a stark picture for households on low-to-middle incomes, for whom benefits and earnings still leave them far short of a minimum living standard. Hear more from @mattpadley.bsky.social below.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
At least someone thinks Starmer is a socialist. That person is insane but still
These are the exact same papers that spent years cheering on the Conservative party's big new restrictions on the right to protest, the right to strike and the blacklisting from official events of anyone who publicly criticised them
September 2, 2025 at 11:03 PM
At least someone thinks Starmer is a socialist. That person is insane but still
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
These are the exact same papers that spent years cheering on the Conservative party's big new restrictions on the right to protest, the right to strike and the blacklisting from official events of anyone who publicly criticised them
September 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
These are the exact same papers that spent years cheering on the Conservative party's big new restrictions on the right to protest, the right to strike and the blacklisting from official events of anyone who publicly criticised them
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
We can all laugh about the bloody snowmobile but do you know what else is on the list?
Toys.
We are banning desperate mothers from doing anything to support their children’s learning.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Toys.
We are banning desperate mothers from doing anything to support their children’s learning.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Home Office bans asylum seekers from buying luxury goods and services
Purchase of snowmobiles, timeshares and furs prohibited, despite asylum seekers receiving only £9.95 a week
www.theguardian.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
We can all laugh about the bloody snowmobile but do you know what else is on the list?
Toys.
We are banning desperate mothers from doing anything to support their children’s learning.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Toys.
We are banning desperate mothers from doing anything to support their children’s learning.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre...
Timely new research with a new term looming highlighting the gap between students' living costs and maintenance loans.
@mattpadley.bsky.social @lboropr.bsky.social
Timely new research with a new term looming highlighting the gap between students' living costs and maintenance loans.
@mattpadley.bsky.social @lboropr.bsky.social
English maintenance loan covers only half of students’ living costs
New research from the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University shows that students in England are being left with huge shortfalls in their living costs – with the maximum...
www.lboro.ac.uk
August 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre...
Timely new research with a new term looming highlighting the gap between students' living costs and maintenance loans.
@mattpadley.bsky.social @lboropr.bsky.social
Timely new research with a new term looming highlighting the gap between students' living costs and maintenance loans.
@mattpadley.bsky.social @lboropr.bsky.social
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
This is a big reasom why students are increasingly living at home and commuting to their local university — and why we need good strong local universities in all regions of the UK.
'Updating their work on the amount of money students need to get by, the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) and Loughborough University researchers have estimated that first-year students in halls of residence need £418 per week to cover their living costs – including £158 on rent.' 1/3
English university degree ‘costs £90,000 over three years’
‘Traditional student experience’ off limits for most, researchers warn after estimating living costs at double available maintenance loans
www.timeshighereducation.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:56 AM
This is a big reasom why students are increasingly living at home and commuting to their local university — and why we need good strong local universities in all regions of the UK.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
Delighted to give evidence to Work and Pensions Committee on pensioner poverty. Report says "retirement should be dignified and not a struggle at the poverty line." @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @crsp-uk.bsky.social's Minimum Income Standard measures this. What do the stats show? It's not good news (1/4).
July 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Delighted to give evidence to Work and Pensions Committee on pensioner poverty. Report says "retirement should be dignified and not a struggle at the poverty line." @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @crsp-uk.bsky.social's Minimum Income Standard measures this. What do the stats show? It's not good news (1/4).
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
New government data on the impact of the two child limit: 469,780 households now affected, with 1,665,540 children in those households
Almost 40,000 more children affected since last year
It's a child poverty machine & it will cost us all more in the long term - get rid of it
Almost 40,000 more children affected since last year
It's a child poverty machine & it will cost us all more in the long term - get rid of it
July 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
New government data on the impact of the two child limit: 469,780 households now affected, with 1,665,540 children in those households
Almost 40,000 more children affected since last year
It's a child poverty machine & it will cost us all more in the long term - get rid of it
Almost 40,000 more children affected since last year
It's a child poverty machine & it will cost us all more in the long term - get rid of it
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
This is nonsense. The impact assessment starts from an imaginary baseline incorporating reforms planned but never implemented by the previous government
In the real world, the cuts that remain in the Bill will push around 50,000 disabled people into poverty www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
In the real world, the cuts that remain in the Bill will push around 50,000 disabled people into poverty www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Welfare bill will now lift 50,000 out of poverty after U-turns, assessment finds
Revised bill passed after UK government rowed back on cuts will mean fewer rather than more people in relative poverty in 2030
www.theguardian.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:25 AM
This is nonsense. The impact assessment starts from an imaginary baseline incorporating reforms planned but never implemented by the previous government
In the real world, the cuts that remain in the Bill will push around 50,000 disabled people into poverty www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
In the real world, the cuts that remain in the Bill will push around 50,000 disabled people into poverty www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
That awkward thing where you write an annual report called 'Low Pay Britain' but 'low pay' has been all but eliminated (on the standard hourly pay < 2/3 median measure).
(Our 2025 Low Pay Britain report is out on Thursday, launch event here www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/new-d... )
(Our 2025 Low Pay Britain report is out on Thursday, launch event here www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/new-d... )
July 1, 2025 at 2:35 PM
That awkward thing where you write an annual report called 'Low Pay Britain' but 'low pay' has been all but eliminated (on the standard hourly pay < 2/3 median measure).
(Our 2025 Low Pay Britain report is out on Thursday, launch event here www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/new-d... )
(Our 2025 Low Pay Britain report is out on Thursday, launch event here www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/new-d... )
Really sad news. Such an important organisation and funder. And as importantly, such a lovely team to work with. Gutted for everyone affected by this.
Surprised & saddened to see this happen to Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust - they have supported vital work on debt, pensions, tax & much else.
www.thetimes.com/article/7d69...
www.thetimes.com/article/7d69...
Aberdeen under fire after ousting financial charity’s board
The chief executive and all ten independent trustees of Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust were removed in shift away from funding research
www.thetimes.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Really sad news. Such an important organisation and funder. And as importantly, such a lovely team to work with. Gutted for everyone affected by this.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
May 2025: median wage of a UK worker, £30,252; net £25,293.
In 2024 (2025?) a single person needed to earn £28,000 for minimum acceptable standard of living; £69,400 for a couple with two children.
Low incomes, unchecked profiteering blights life.
50 families have more wealth than 34m Britons.
In 2024 (2025?) a single person needed to earn £28,000 for minimum acceptable standard of living; £69,400 for a couple with two children.
Low incomes, unchecked profiteering blights life.
50 families have more wealth than 34m Britons.
Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, UK - Office for National Statistics
Monthly estimates of payrolled employees and their pay from HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) data.
www.ons.gov.uk
June 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
May 2025: median wage of a UK worker, £30,252; net £25,293.
In 2024 (2025?) a single person needed to earn £28,000 for minimum acceptable standard of living; £69,400 for a couple with two children.
Low incomes, unchecked profiteering blights life.
50 families have more wealth than 34m Britons.
In 2024 (2025?) a single person needed to earn £28,000 for minimum acceptable standard of living; £69,400 for a couple with two children.
Low incomes, unchecked profiteering blights life.
50 families have more wealth than 34m Britons.
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
UK Govt whip quits over disability benefit cuts.
Why pursue this cruel cut? Govt backtracked on Winter Fuel Payment.
Rebellion will grow, people will be alienated.
Govt finds money for wars, corporate welfare/bailouts; tax concessions to non-doms and private equity. But not for poor, disabled.
Why pursue this cruel cut? Govt backtracked on Winter Fuel Payment.
Rebellion will grow, people will be alienated.
Govt finds money for wars, corporate welfare/bailouts; tax concessions to non-doms and private equity. But not for poor, disabled.
Government whip Vicky Foxcroft quits over disability benefit cuts
The Labour MP says she could not vote for the welfare bill published by the government earlier this week.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
UK Govt whip quits over disability benefit cuts.
Why pursue this cruel cut? Govt backtracked on Winter Fuel Payment.
Rebellion will grow, people will be alienated.
Govt finds money for wars, corporate welfare/bailouts; tax concessions to non-doms and private equity. But not for poor, disabled.
Why pursue this cruel cut? Govt backtracked on Winter Fuel Payment.
Rebellion will grow, people will be alienated.
Govt finds money for wars, corporate welfare/bailouts; tax concessions to non-doms and private equity. But not for poor, disabled.
Our new research on what’s needed to live with dignity in the UK capital is out today. The big shift is from social to private rented housing for households with children. I’ve blogged about that here: trustforlondon.org.uk/news/minimum...
June 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Our new research on what’s needed to live with dignity in the UK capital is out today. The big shift is from social to private rented housing for households with children. I’ve blogged about that here: trustforlondon.org.uk/news/minimum...
Really good to be at the University of Economics, Varna as part of summer school focused on building knowledge and collaboration around reference budgets in Europe.
June 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Really good to be at the University of Economics, Varna as part of summer school focused on building knowledge and collaboration around reference budgets in Europe.
48 and a half years on this planet without having a watched The Sound of Music. What a fool I have been. What a film!
June 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
48 and a half years on this planet without having a watched The Sound of Music. What a fool I have been. What a film!
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
Together with @liverpooluni.bsky.social, @goodthingsfdn.bsky.social and Nuffield Foundation, we've developed a single Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) -a benchmark on what households need to be digitally included.
Find out what the MDLS for UK households is in 2025 here tinyurl.com/3aw2d2mv
Find out what the MDLS for UK households is in 2025 here tinyurl.com/3aw2d2mv
June 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Together with @liverpooluni.bsky.social, @goodthingsfdn.bsky.social and Nuffield Foundation, we've developed a single Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) -a benchmark on what households need to be digitally included.
Find out what the MDLS for UK households is in 2025 here tinyurl.com/3aw2d2mv
Find out what the MDLS for UK households is in 2025 here tinyurl.com/3aw2d2mv
Reposted by mattpadley.bsky.social
Really pleased to be invited to speak at the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisors Summit in Stockport today - discussing the value of advice and the costs of non-uptake of benefits @nawra.bsky.social
Welcoming one of our founding members, Geoff Fimister, along with friends from @adviceuk.bsky.social, @lborouniversity.bsky.social and Warwick University, for the first sessions of the morning. #NAWRA50
June 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Really pleased to be invited to speak at the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisors Summit in Stockport today - discussing the value of advice and the costs of non-uptake of benefits @nawra.bsky.social