Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 23/06/2025Our 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. 122
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 09/06/2025Please bring us your ideas for analysis to inform the public debate ahead of next year’s election in Scotland 👇👇👇 020
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 14/05/2025Richard Fuller MP tells the @brightblueuk.bsky.social Living Standards conference that we need better accountability of our regulators to ensure good delivery for the public. He suggests a Commons Committee tasked with an annual review of how they are performing. 011
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Really looking forward to hearing new ideas! 🤓 030
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 24/04/2025Savings are critical to financial well-being, but capital rules in UC risk undermining efforts to improve the UK’s dire savings rate. 020
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Employment support should treat people like adults from the jump 👏 020
Reposted by Karen BarkerMoney and Mental Health @moneyandmentalhealth.org · 02/04/2025Like all of our research, our latest report is rooted in the experiences of our Research Community of people with mental health problems 🗣️ Read more about the Community’s experiences of utilities debt collection, and what needs to change 👇 🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/publications... 033
Reposted by Karen BarkerResolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 30/03/2025The big-picture outlook for living standards remains grim after the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. It’s particularly dismal for the poorer half of Britain, who are set to become £500 a year poorer over the Parliament. 1126
Reposted by Karen BarkerKatie Schmuecker @katieschmuecker.bsky.social · 26/03/2025Some 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. 9244133
Reposted by Karen BarkerProf Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Rightly, a lot of analysis of @teamlabouruk.bsky.social historic cuts to disability benefits announced today. But, please, if you read and share one thing make it Brian’s piece in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comTurning on the lights is a luxury in my family. These benefit changes will push us even closer to the edge | BrianFor years we have cut back, and back again. My benefits will now be frozen, but there’s nothing left to sacrifice, says Brian, a Changing Realities participant 11412
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Good summary of the key takeaways from today’s disability Green Paper👇 020
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Amidst the unwelcome cuts in the Green Paper, I am pleased to see the ideas from this report, funded by @financialfairness.bsky.social being considered… 030
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 18/03/2025A question the Green Paper appears to dodge, by my first read, saying only ‘the implications for devolved Governments will need to be fully considered before being implemented.’ Um- no kidding! 100
Reposted by Karen BarkerChris Birt @cdbirt.bsky.social · 18/03/2025From SG perspective obviously big choices for them to make facing huge cuts to PIP and SG budget. But also if health related UC will now share PIP assessment - how will this work in Scotland with Social Security Scotland doing the assessment? 011
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 07/01/2025One stated aim of Universal Credit is to ensure claimants will always be better off working. However, this research demonstrates that for many, take home income barely increases from working more, due to claw backs via the tax and benefit system. 000
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 17/12/2024Nobody likes a tax rise, but our latest research shows a plurality of people agree they are necessary to improve public services. And many would be supportive of further future tax rises beyond the Budget, if needed. 010
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 05/12/2024Margaret Beels OBE says transparency and constant reporting from the Fair Work Agency will be key to ensuring to delivers strong enforcement - of workers’ rights- panel discussion @tuceconomics.bsky.social chaired by @financialfairness.bsky.social CEO Mubin Haq. 012
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 05/12/2024Our Trustee, Kate Bell, says when considering trade offs between improving employment rights and costs to employers, we can’t just focus on short term adjustment costs. We need to take a long view of how we want our labour market to grow and evolve. 033
Karen Barker @karenmbarker.bsky.social · 28/11/2024A real concern for the future isn’t just wealth inequality between generations, but inequality *within* younger generations. 010
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