Scott Compton
@scottcompton.bsky.social
Senior policy advisor at Action for Children
Reposted by Scott Compton
The #workandpensionselectcommittee commissioned analysis to estimate the savings and financial benefit of Universal credit (UC) claimants currently unemployed or economically inactive returning to work through employment and health support programmes.
committees.parliament.uk
October 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
The #workandpensionselectcommittee commissioned analysis to estimate the savings and financial benefit of Universal credit (UC) claimants currently unemployed or economically inactive returning to work through employment and health support programmes.
Reposted by Scott Compton
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Scott Compton
As they arrive at the Labour Party Conference, we're greeting Keir Starmer and his MPs with a message that demands a screen bigger than 21,000 mobile phones*:
"What was the point of winning the general election if not to lift kids out of poverty?"
1/3
"What was the point of winning the general election if not to lift kids out of poverty?"
1/3
September 29, 2025 at 7:26 AM
As they arrive at the Labour Party Conference, we're greeting Keir Starmer and his MPs with a message that demands a screen bigger than 21,000 mobile phones*:
"What was the point of winning the general election if not to lift kids out of poverty?"
1/3
"What was the point of winning the general election if not to lift kids out of poverty?"
1/3
Only exempting the 59% of affected families that are in work would of course do nothing for the very poorest families, while saving a relative pittance in welfare budget terms. UK child poverty levels are extremely high both historically and internationally, half measures wont cut it
UK ministers examine plans to overhaul or scrap two-child benefit cap on.ft.com/4pG939t
UK ministers examine plans to overhaul or scrap two-child benefit cap
One option is to lift the restriction for working families, but Labour MPs are pushing for abolition of the contentious policy
on.ft.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Only exempting the 59% of affected families that are in work would of course do nothing for the very poorest families, while saving a relative pittance in welfare budget terms. UK child poverty levels are extremely high both historically and internationally, half measures wont cut it
Reposted by Scott Compton
Announcing Generation New Era: the first UK-wide birth cohort study in 25 years.
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
UKRI announces first UK-wide birth cohort study in 25 years
A ground-breaking UK-wide scientific study will help improve the lives of future generations by studying 30,000 children born in 2026.
www.ukri.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Announcing Generation New Era: the first UK-wide birth cohort study in 25 years.
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Compton
'It's time to face facts and end the two-child limit on benefits' - our op-ed with other organisations
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
The prime minister must face facts and end the two-child limit on benefits
A group of charities have joined together to write to the PM calling for action on child poverty and an end to the two-child benefit limit.
www.bigissue.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
'It's time to face facts and end the two-child limit on benefits' - our op-ed with other organisations
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Good to see a big investment in tackling child poverty from the NE Mayor, an action plan with actual tangible actions and clear measures of progress. Sets a strong example for other local leaders of what can be achieved at this level, while recognising national policy has the biggest role to play.
Child Poverty Reduction Unit
www.northeast-ca.gov.uk
July 25, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Good to see a big investment in tackling child poverty from the NE Mayor, an action plan with actual tangible actions and clear measures of progress. Sets a strong example for other local leaders of what can be achieved at this level, while recognising national policy has the biggest role to play.
I have written for the @bigissue.com on the two-child limit and the resurgence of an old debate, is cash or services best for reducing child poverty? I argue social security is not just a short-term fix, but essential to enabling parents to engage with services and promoting good outcomes.
It's time to scrap the two-child benefit cap – we can't afford not to
Whether this government will scrap the two-child benefit cap is regarded as a critical test of its commitment to driving down child poverty.
www.bigissue.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
I have written for the @bigissue.com on the two-child limit and the resurgence of an old debate, is cash or services best for reducing child poverty? I argue social security is not just a short-term fix, but essential to enabling parents to engage with services and promoting good outcomes.
One year on from the Child Poverty Taskforce launch, the govt has made strong commitments on free school meals, social housing, family hubs & crisis support. But success hinges on what is to be done on social security this autumn, as per this piece from @cpaguk.bsky.social , us and others
'A year on, children can't wait. Starmer must end the two-child cap now' - LabourList
Charity bosses call for Starmer to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
labourlist.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
One year on from the Child Poverty Taskforce launch, the govt has made strong commitments on free school meals, social housing, family hubs & crisis support. But success hinges on what is to be done on social security this autumn, as per this piece from @cpaguk.bsky.social , us and others
The impact of the two-child limit continues its relentless rise, over 1.6m children & ~40K more than last year (the year-on-year increase was somewhat offset by end of tax credits in April). As the policy is still rolling out, more children will be pulled into poverty every day it remains in place.
July 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The impact of the two-child limit continues its relentless rise, over 1.6m children & ~40K more than last year (the year-on-year increase was somewhat offset by end of tax credits in April). As the policy is still rolling out, more children will be pulled into poverty every day it remains in place.
Reposted by Scott Compton
This is a message to Keir Starmer.
Almost 40,000 MORE children are missing out on the support they need because of the two-child limit than there were last year.
We urge the UK Government to scrap the two-child limit now.
Write to your MP: bit.ly/3GKJVfS
Almost 40,000 MORE children are missing out on the support they need because of the two-child limit than there were last year.
We urge the UK Government to scrap the two-child limit now.
Write to your MP: bit.ly/3GKJVfS
July 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This is a message to Keir Starmer.
Almost 40,000 MORE children are missing out on the support they need because of the two-child limit than there were last year.
We urge the UK Government to scrap the two-child limit now.
Write to your MP: bit.ly/3GKJVfS
Almost 40,000 MORE children are missing out on the support they need because of the two-child limit than there were last year.
We urge the UK Government to scrap the two-child limit now.
Write to your MP: bit.ly/3GKJVfS
Concerning to see. The government won't get
child poverty falling on their watch while the two-child limit remains in place. Hope the wrong lessons are not being drawn from the past week...
child poverty falling on their watch while the two-child limit remains in place. Hope the wrong lessons are not being drawn from the past week...
July 2, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Concerning to see. The government won't get
child poverty falling on their watch while the two-child limit remains in place. Hope the wrong lessons are not being drawn from the past week...
child poverty falling on their watch while the two-child limit remains in place. Hope the wrong lessons are not being drawn from the past week...
Reposted by Scott Compton
That would be the wrong conclusion. This isn’t about sticking to plans, it’s about not having good plans to begin with. This policy was terrible from day one. Any commentary should start from there.
Worth reminding ourselves the entire point of the welfare bill (whatever the govt might claim) was to restore fiscal headroom after a bad forecast.
That’s blown now. It is possible that the whole debacle will undermine fiscal credibility by demonstrating the govt is incapable of sticking to plans.
That’s blown now. It is possible that the whole debacle will undermine fiscal credibility by demonstrating the govt is incapable of sticking to plans.
July 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
That would be the wrong conclusion. This isn’t about sticking to plans, it’s about not having good plans to begin with. This policy was terrible from day one. Any commentary should start from there.
Reposted by Scott Compton
"It's not just PIP"
I've written an overview of the government's disability benefit plans - covering not just PIP and the Timms review, but also Universal Credit, contributory ESA and statistics around PIP reviews - and what's being voted on when
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
I've written an overview of the government's disability benefit plans - covering not just PIP and the Timms review, but also Universal Credit, contributory ESA and statistics around PIP reviews - and what's being voted on when
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Absolutely everything you need to know about Labour's benefits bill
Here, in granular detail, Big Issue breaks down absolutely everything you need to know about its benefits bill and reform of welfare.
www.bigissue.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
"It's not just PIP"
I've written an overview of the government's disability benefit plans - covering not just PIP and the Timms review, but also Universal Credit, contributory ESA and statistics around PIP reviews - and what's being voted on when
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
I've written an overview of the government's disability benefit plans - covering not just PIP and the Timms review, but also Universal Credit, contributory ESA and statistics around PIP reviews - and what's being voted on when
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Reposted by Scott Compton
As Parliament prepares to vote tomorrow on cuts to PIP and UC-Health, the Govt consultation on longer-term changes to the benefits system also closes.
A thread on the good, the bad and the messy included in the consultation...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
A thread on the good, the bad and the messy included in the consultation...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
The good, the bad and the messy • Resolution Foundation
This week marks an important moment for this Government’s welfare reform plans: as Parliament prepares to vote on major legislation to make cuts to PIP and UC-Health, the consultation on longer-term c...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
June 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
As Parliament prepares to vote tomorrow on cuts to PIP and UC-Health, the Govt consultation on longer-term changes to the benefits system also closes.
A thread on the good, the bad and the messy included in the consultation...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
A thread on the good, the bad and the messy included in the consultation...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Important point!
There's just no policy or moral justification for raising eligibility for UC health to 22. Will hit disabled young people incl. vulnerable care leavers and those living in supported accommodation who need it to cover service costs. Basic UC (already a reduced rate) often not enough
There's just no policy or moral justification for raising eligibility for UC health to 22. Will hit disabled young people incl. vulnerable care leavers and those living in supported accommodation who need it to cover service costs. Basic UC (already a reduced rate) often not enough
Importantly, when we look at trends in the benefits system, it is claims for disability benefits (largely PIP) that have increased for young people aged 16-21, *not* incapacity benefits like UC-Health...
June 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Important point!
There's just no policy or moral justification for raising eligibility for UC health to 22. Will hit disabled young people incl. vulnerable care leavers and those living in supported accommodation who need it to cover service costs. Basic UC (already a reduced rate) often not enough
There's just no policy or moral justification for raising eligibility for UC health to 22. Will hit disabled young people incl. vulnerable care leavers and those living in supported accommodation who need it to cover service costs. Basic UC (already a reduced rate) often not enough
Reposted by Scott Compton
Amid all the talk about the Government's cuts to health and disability benefits, it's worth pausing to reflect on the backdrop: a large and growing number of adults in the UK are in poor health.
Today we got new high-quality data on the prevalence of mental health conditions across England...
Today we got new high-quality data on the prevalence of mental health conditions across England...
June 26, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Amid all the talk about the Government's cuts to health and disability benefits, it's worth pausing to reflect on the backdrop: a large and growing number of adults in the UK are in poor health.
Today we got new high-quality data on the prevalence of mental health conditions across England...
Today we got new high-quality data on the prevalence of mental health conditions across England...
Reposted by Scott Compton
Brilliant piece on the swirling discontent around Morgan McSweeney by @pickardje.bsky.social, @georgewparker.bsky.social and @annasophiegross.bsky.social:
Morgan McSweeney: Labour’s election fixer draws fire as welfare rebellion looms
Chief of staff to UK prime minister argues government needs to head off Nigel Farage by leaning to the right
www.ft.com
June 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Brilliant piece on the swirling discontent around Morgan McSweeney by @pickardje.bsky.social, @georgewparker.bsky.social and @annasophiegross.bsky.social:
The FFT is a valuable ongoing source of data on family finances since Covid. June 2025 edition shows 40% of households with 3+ children struggle to pay for food and other essentials.
Our latest @financialfairness.bsky.social Tracker is out today, and it shows that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over. We’ve seen an increase in households in serious difficulty and a decrease in those who are financially secure.
June 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The FFT is a valuable ongoing source of data on family finances since Covid. June 2025 edition shows 40% of households with 3+ children struggle to pay for food and other essentials.
Reposted by Scott Compton
So you have a situation where a plurality of voters and a majority of Labour 2024 voters would now support a u-turn on the PIP cuts along with Green and Lib Dem voters, only Tory voters are particularly split.
June 24, 2025 at 6:12 AM
So you have a situation where a plurality of voters and a majority of Labour 2024 voters would now support a u-turn on the PIP cuts along with Green and Lib Dem voters, only Tory voters are particularly split.
Reposted by Scott Compton
(1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip.
Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.
Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.
June 19, 2025 at 7:27 PM
(1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip.
Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.
Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.
No % confirmed yet, but this is very positive. Many more social rent homes are needed to help tackle child poverty.
AfC-commissioned analysis found that ramping up to Shelter's target of 90,000 social rent homes a year could keep half a million children out of poverty in the long-term.
AfC-commissioned analysis found that ramping up to Shelter's target of 90,000 social rent homes a year could keep half a million children out of poverty in the long-term.
June 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM
No % confirmed yet, but this is very positive. Many more social rent homes are needed to help tackle child poverty.
AfC-commissioned analysis found that ramping up to Shelter's target of 90,000 social rent homes a year could keep half a million children out of poverty in the long-term.
AfC-commissioned analysis found that ramping up to Shelter's target of 90,000 social rent homes a year could keep half a million children out of poverty in the long-term.
Reposted by Scott Compton
Keir Starmer backs end of two child benefit cap and tells Treasury to find the money - my story for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Starmer to scrap two-child benefit cap as Treasury told to find money | The Observer
Policy change following concern among cabinet MPs will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty
observer.co.uk
May 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Keir Starmer backs end of two child benefit cap and tells Treasury to find the money - my story for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Scott Compton
On Friday afternoon, the Govt published the evidence pack for its Pathways to Work Green Paper.
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
May 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
On Friday afternoon, the Govt published the evidence pack for its Pathways to Work Green Paper.
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
It confirms that the Govt's PIP cut will hit older people hardest, despite all the rhetoric about focusing on 'snowflake' young people.
A quick thread...
Reposted by Scott Compton
🚨 NEW: ahead of today's debate on the changes to disability benefits, we've been digging into the claim that the rise in claims is disproportionate to the level of need.
Here’s what @pollardtom.bsky.social and I found 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Here’s what @pollardtom.bsky.social and I found 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Starmer warned benefit cuts to hit 800,000 and be ‘as toxic’ as winter fuel changes
Exclusive: Sir Keir has already faced a fierce backlash over PIP cuts, with left-wingers vowing to vote against the changes when put before parliament
www.independent.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 7:51 AM
🚨 NEW: ahead of today's debate on the changes to disability benefits, we've been digging into the claim that the rise in claims is disproportionate to the level of need.
Here’s what @pollardtom.bsky.social and I found 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Here’s what @pollardtom.bsky.social and I found 👇
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...