Prof Ruth Patrick
@ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Professor of Social & Public Policy at University of Glasgow
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Pinned
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Repost if you agree with Rachel
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 4:03 PM
Repost if you agree with Rachel
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
November 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM
109 kids are falling into poverty every day because of the two-child limit.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
The government must scrap it for all children.
Please share.
Very thoughtful letter from my brilliant aunt @katharinesut.bsky.social @theguardian.com we need to do much more to make work work, & we need to address the systemic issues that lock ppl in poorly paid jobs. Improving procurement practices would be a great start www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
How employers can help their staff stay in work | Letters
Letters: Readers respond to the government’s Keep Britain Working review that aims to tackle the growing worklessness crisis
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Very thoughtful letter from my brilliant aunt @katharinesut.bsky.social @theguardian.com we need to do much more to make work work, & we need to address the systemic issues that lock ppl in poorly paid jobs. Improving procurement practices would be a great start www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Today, I turn 45 & enter the second half of my 40s. It feels scary, but has made me reflect on how fortunate I am in lots of ways. Despite the rain (& there's lots of it), I am chuffed to be working back in Scotland w/ ace colleagues & students @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
🧵 of 🌈
🧵 of 🌈
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Today, I turn 45 & enter the second half of my 40s. It feels scary, but has made me reflect on how fortunate I am in lots of ways. Despite the rain (& there's lots of it), I am chuffed to be working back in Scotland w/ ace colleagues & students @uofgussp.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social
🧵 of 🌈
🧵 of 🌈
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Fully repealing the two-child limit on benefits is by far the best way to ensure fewer children are growing up in poverty.
Half measures – from moving to a three-child limit to exempting working families – would all still lead to an increase in child poverty by the end of the decade.
Half measures – from moving to a three-child limit to exempting working families – would all still lead to an increase in child poverty by the end of the decade.
November 2, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Fully repealing the two-child limit on benefits is by far the best way to ensure fewer children are growing up in poverty.
Half measures – from moving to a three-child limit to exempting working families – would all still lead to an increase in child poverty by the end of the decade.
Half measures – from moving to a three-child limit to exempting working families – would all still lead to an increase in child poverty by the end of the decade.
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Budget month is here, and it’s time for the rumours to be pushed to one side and Labour to lay the groundwork to act decisively on child poverty.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Budget month is here, and it’s time for the rumours to be pushed to one side and Labour to lay the groundwork to act decisively on child poverty.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
This must and can only start with a full scrapping of the two-child limit.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
On 23rd October, we headed to a Child Poverty Strategy roundtable hosted by Baroness Lister at the HoL. Our participants delivered powerful testimonies & their speech can be read here📣: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
The core of our work has not changed, but we have. We have spent, in some cases, years together, uplifting our voices and learning how to be part of a movement for change, and we are proud to be here to represent our work and the people within.
changingrealities.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
On 23rd October, we headed to a Child Poverty Strategy roundtable hosted by Baroness Lister at the HoL. Our participants delivered powerful testimonies & their speech can be read here📣: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@ippr.org
@cpaguk.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Not long ago, a Labour source said the two-child cap was ‘popular with key voters, who see it as a matter of fairness’.
In the other corner, the injustice of the cap is ‘so simple even a six-year-old gets it’.
I’m with the six-year-old.
If you know anyone who isn’t, show them this.
👇
In the other corner, the injustice of the cap is ‘so simple even a six-year-old gets it’.
I’m with the six-year-old.
If you know anyone who isn’t, show them this.
👇
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Not long ago, a Labour source said the two-child cap was ‘popular with key voters, who see it as a matter of fairness’.
In the other corner, the injustice of the cap is ‘so simple even a six-year-old gets it’.
I’m with the six-year-old.
If you know anyone who isn’t, show them this.
👇
In the other corner, the injustice of the cap is ‘so simple even a six-year-old gets it’.
I’m with the six-year-old.
If you know anyone who isn’t, show them this.
👇
This was very cathartic to write, and I'm grateful to @samfr.bsky.social for giving me the space to try and set out just why the two-child limit must go, and go in its entirety
[mini 🧵]
[mini 🧵]
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This was very cathartic to write, and I'm grateful to @samfr.bsky.social for giving me the space to try and set out just why the two-child limit must go, and go in its entirety
[mini 🧵]
[mini 🧵]
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Great new research that is worth a read for anyone interested in the politics of fiscal policy.
For me, two key takeaways:
- Voters will punish Labour for failing on child poverty, whatever they say about two-child limit as standalone policy
- Voters love wealth taxes, even when framed negatively
For me, two key takeaways:
- Voters will punish Labour for failing on child poverty, whatever they say about two-child limit as standalone policy
- Voters love wealth taxes, even when framed negatively
Ahead of Budget, where do voters stand on tax and the dilemmas facing government?
Big new @persuasionuk.bsky.social report out today on this.
TL;DR as risky as breaching the manifesto is for Lab - failing on public services, cost of living and child poverty is *far riskier* for Lab.
🧵
Big new @persuasionuk.bsky.social report out today on this.
TL;DR as risky as breaching the manifesto is for Lab - failing on public services, cost of living and child poverty is *far riskier* for Lab.
🧵
October 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Great new research that is worth a read for anyone interested in the politics of fiscal policy.
For me, two key takeaways:
- Voters will punish Labour for failing on child poverty, whatever they say about two-child limit as standalone policy
- Voters love wealth taxes, even when framed negatively
For me, two key takeaways:
- Voters will punish Labour for failing on child poverty, whatever they say about two-child limit as standalone policy
- Voters love wealth taxes, even when framed negatively
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊
October 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Our participant James has written an excellent piece for @scotsman.com. ✏️
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
October 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Our participant James has written an excellent piece for @scotsman.com. ✏️
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
"The fight for true social justice is long and arduous. But for that hour or so, in that grand room, we were not just the ‘marginalised’ or ‘the beneficiaries’, we were the experts."
Read: www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
“We were given the space to speak our truth to power”
What happened when parents & carers met @johnswinney.bsky.social to discuss child poverty?
Single parent James of @changingrealities.bsky.social reflects on a 'remarkable' meeting in @scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
What happened when parents & carers met @johnswinney.bsky.social to discuss child poverty?
Single parent James of @changingrealities.bsky.social reflects on a 'remarkable' meeting in @scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
Inside the Bute House talks fighting for social justice with John Swinney
Talks over the battle to alleviate child poverty took place with John Swinney inside the walls of Bute House
www.scotsman.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:36 AM
“We were given the space to speak our truth to power”
What happened when parents & carers met @johnswinney.bsky.social to discuss child poverty?
Single parent James of @changingrealities.bsky.social reflects on a 'remarkable' meeting in @scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
What happened when parents & carers met @johnswinney.bsky.social to discuss child poverty?
Single parent James of @changingrealities.bsky.social reflects on a 'remarkable' meeting in @scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
We can all agree that the current systems of Special Educational Needs support are failing but the next step is to agree what change is needed to build a better, more inclusive system that works for all children
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:21 AM
We can all agree that the current systems of Special Educational Needs support are failing but the next step is to agree what change is needed to build a better, more inclusive system that works for all children
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
[short 🧵, launching new @changing_r note]
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
A couple of weeks ago, CR participant Brian spoke to @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about the continuation of the cost-of-living crisis, which he feels politicians have "completely pushed to one side." Read more: www.newstatesman.com/politics/eco...
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration
Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?
www.newstatesman.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A couple of weeks ago, CR participant Brian spoke to @newstatesman1913.bsky.social about the continuation of the cost-of-living crisis, which he feels politicians have "completely pushed to one side." Read more: www.newstatesman.com/politics/eco...
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
@uofglasgow.bsky.social
@uofgussp.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Read the latest Safety Nets Blog here: www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202... @haylesben.bsky.social @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
The growth gamble: Do we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England? - RSA Main
Earlier in 2025, the UK government announced a commitment to reduce spending on disability benefits by restructuring entitlements and eligibility to various health-related benefits. It claims through ...
www.regionalstudies.org
October 14, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Read the latest Safety Nets Blog here: www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202... @haylesben.bsky.social @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Opening with a panel and Q&A at 1 pm, 27 Oct, at James McCune Smith Learning Hub.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/52-squares...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/52-squares...
October 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Opening with a panel and Q&A at 1 pm, 27 Oct, at James McCune Smith Learning Hub.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/52-squares...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/52-squares...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Our latest @safety-nets.bsky.social project blog is out. We reflect on spatial inequalities and disability benefit reforms. And the pickle UK gov changes might create for subnational and devolved authorities.
New RSA Blog 📉
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
The growth gamble: Do we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England? - RSA Main
Earlier in 2025, the UK government announced a commitment to reduce spending on disability benefits by restructuring entitlements and eligibility to various health-related benefits. It claims through ...
www.regionalstudies.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Our latest @safety-nets.bsky.social project blog is out. We reflect on spatial inequalities and disability benefit reforms. And the pickle UK gov changes might create for subnational and devolved authorities.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
New RSA Blog 📉
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
The growth gamble: Do we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England? - RSA Main
Earlier in 2025, the UK government announced a commitment to reduce spending on disability benefits by restructuring entitlements and eligibility to various health-related benefits. It claims through ...
www.regionalstudies.org
October 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
New RSA Blog 📉
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
“The Growth Gamble” explores how UK welfare reform, deindustrialisation & regional divides intersect.
By Sioned Pearce, @haylesben.bsky.social, Mhairi Ross & @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social.
👉 www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Current proposals will make it even harder for people with cancer to get financial support for the extra costs it brings. Scrapping WCA means many patients will have to meet PIP criteria instead. PIP currently fails to recognise the specific and unique ways cancer treatment disables people.
"Abolishing the WCA without ensuring the PIP assessment is more inclusive could result in people receiving no support," said @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social.
"This will particularly impact, for example, someone recovering from cancer or a serious accident." www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
"This will particularly impact, for example, someone recovering from cancer or a serious accident." www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Labour faces another mass rebellion over reforms to universal credit
Welfare secretary Pat McFadden plans further reforms to the benefits system, expected to include abolishing the work capability assessment.
www.bigissue.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Current proposals will make it even harder for people with cancer to get financial support for the extra costs it brings. Scrapping WCA means many patients will have to meet PIP criteria instead. PIP currently fails to recognise the specific and unique ways cancer treatment disables people.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
As Yom Kippur ends, it is terrible that a holy day has seen people killed at a place of worship in Manchester
I hope many of us will express solidarity + support for Jews in Britain, and work with them + those of every faith and none to deepen our efforts to tackle antisemitism, hatred + extremism
I hope many of us will express solidarity + support for Jews in Britain, and work with them + those of every faith and none to deepen our efforts to tackle antisemitism, hatred + extremism
October 2, 2025 at 6:28 PM
As Yom Kippur ends, it is terrible that a holy day has seen people killed at a place of worship in Manchester
I hope many of us will express solidarity + support for Jews in Britain, and work with them + those of every faith and none to deepen our efforts to tackle antisemitism, hatred + extremism
I hope many of us will express solidarity + support for Jews in Britain, and work with them + those of every faith and none to deepen our efforts to tackle antisemitism, hatred + extremism
Looking forward to discussing the vital need for improved support for children and young people with send with @theifs.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social & colleagues, drawing on our own recent @changingrealities.bsky.social briefing changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
October 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Looking forward to discussing the vital need for improved support for children and young people with send with @theifs.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social & colleagues, drawing on our own recent @changingrealities.bsky.social briefing changingrealities.org/writings/wha...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
To reduce child poverty, government must scrap the two-chid limit. And that means fully scrapping it – no benefit cap, no tapers, no new limit. All children deserve the best start in life, and messing around the edges of this policy won’t cut it. 2/2
October 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
To reduce child poverty, government must scrap the two-chid limit. And that means fully scrapping it – no benefit cap, no tapers, no new limit. All children deserve the best start in life, and messing around the edges of this policy won’t cut it. 2/2
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
As part of the work of our new #CentreForPeoplesJustice
@cfpjustice.bsky.social we've created this video about the making of #HillsboroughLaw (aka the Public Office (Accountability) Bill), intended to get public authorities to tell the truth: youtu.be/MCoSZzEOWLk?...
@cfpjustice.bsky.social we've created this video about the making of #HillsboroughLaw (aka the Public Office (Accountability) Bill), intended to get public authorities to tell the truth: youtu.be/MCoSZzEOWLk?...
Hillsborough Law in Parliament - The journey begins
YouTube video by Centre for Peoples Justice
youtu.be
October 1, 2025 at 2:27 PM
As part of the work of our new #CentreForPeoplesJustice
@cfpjustice.bsky.social we've created this video about the making of #HillsboroughLaw (aka the Public Office (Accountability) Bill), intended to get public authorities to tell the truth: youtu.be/MCoSZzEOWLk?...
@cfpjustice.bsky.social we've created this video about the making of #HillsboroughLaw (aka the Public Office (Accountability) Bill), intended to get public authorities to tell the truth: youtu.be/MCoSZzEOWLk?...