Chief Analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation working to solve UK Poverty
Sheffield / York
Joined February 2020
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6 and a half years later and with a lot of calculating energy expended, take up of Universal Credit statistics are finally out at gov.uk/government/statistics…. At 72% of people taking it up, it comes out mid-range between 2015/16 JSA (56%), WTC (65%), CTC (83%) and ESA (84%) stats.
Part of its business case was Universal Credit (gov.uk/government/publicatio…) "by replacing six working age benefits into a single benefit, increases benefit take-up as it is no longer possible only to take up part entitlement", so being below CTC and ESA is a bit disappointing.
Part of this is definitely stigma in claiming benefits, and a good take up campaign for people to claim benefits they are entitled to would be a good way to help with this. See xitter.cf/LatimerEduin/status/21… from @LatimerEduin for a good summary of the latest stats.
Great vid from @chrisbelfield - on why financial security is the missing piece in debates on both the Left and the Right.
It’s hard to focus on your job when you’re worrying about keeping a roof over your head or other essentials.
🔎 The economic growth debate is missing something: financial security.
Helping people build a safety net is good for them, as @chrisbelfield explains here 👇
This will be a great event - and look out for the report too!
Coming up on 5th October!
🏴 Join us for the launch of the Poverty in Scotland 2026 report. At this event we will:
- Share our latest findings on poverty in Scotland
- Discuss the vital role local government can play in preventing and reducing it
ALT Graphic showing the guest speakers at JRF's Poverty in Scotland launch event, including Prof. Kezia Dugdale of the Centre for Public Policy, Shirley Anne Somerville MSP, Laura Millar, CEO of Fife Gingerbread, Peter Kelly, CEO of the Poverty Alliance and Councillor Mark Flynn who is the leader of Dundee City Council
Peter Matejic retweeted
This morning's @ONS quarterly GDP estimate is the first since the US-Israel war on Iran started.
The conflict has worsened an already troubling living standards outlook.
🏘️ Millions of households are under serious financial pressure.
GDP grew 0.4% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026.
Services (+0.5%) and construction (+0.3%) both grew while production (0.0%) was flat.
Read more ➡️ ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdome…
ALT GDP growth in the UK April to June 2026 GDP up 0.4% Services up 0.5% Production flat 0.0% Construction up 0.3% Publication: GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: April to June 2026
Peter Matejic retweeted
We've just finished hearing from the new Prime Minister @andyburnham about his plans to tackle the social care crisis.
The gap between people's expectations when seeking government support for social care and the reality of how they experience it has grown into a gulf. 🧵
Great thread from @LukeTryl, drawing from work @Moreincommon_ did with @jrf_uk and @TrussellUK. Reform not cuts.
🧵 Welfare reform is going to be top of the agenda for the new govt. How do you avoid the trap last govt into? Our research for @jrf_uk and @TrussellUK shows how Burnham might land his pledge of a 'fair and sustainable' approach with the public.
Peter Matejic retweeted
A record number of families are going without the essentials, our research finds. That's 7.4 million households.
New PM Andy Burnham has promised to put tackling the cost of living "front and centre" of his government.
Bold policy choices are needed to make that happen:
At the Dream Big, South Yorkshire: Year of the Child summit led on by @savechildrenuk in very grand setting of Doncaster Corn Exchange
ALT Banner asking attendees to dream big in Doncaster corner exchange.
So far heard very powerful stories of lived experience of poverty, its impacts and the need for *action* followed by speech from @olivercoppard talking about the platform he is building for others to build on for action in South Yorkshire.
What do @DWPgovuk feel are the most important research questions facing them over the next 5 to 10 years? Read this doc... gov.uk/government/publicatio….
Interesting inflation data today, with the expected rise not coming. It is basically a story of inflation in everything bar transport going down a tad and thus counter-balancing a big rise there. 1/4
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.8% in the 12 months to May 2026, unchanged from the 12 months to April 2026.
Read the full article ️➡️ ons.gov.uk/economy/inflation…
ALT Rotated bar chart showing offsetting contributions led to unchanged CPI annual inflation.
When the new cap comes into the stats in the July data (out August) it will add 0.4ppts to CPI according to Bank of England. But for now, good news, and another month when the Governor of the Bank doesn't have to write the Chancellor explaining why inflation is over 3%. 3/4
Interesting policy fellowships: ukri.org/opportunity/sector-…. Two I'd highlight:
1. DWP to develop evidence of the causal links between experience of poverty and subsequent outcomes.
2. DfT on transport poverty and how improving transport affordability and connectivity.
Just left #CHASMConference2026. Lots of food for thought about dimensions of insecurity, their interactions and the role of power and agency in how lives play out. Follow @UoBCHASM for their insights. Thanks to everyone involved!
Peter Matejic retweeted
Your regular reminder:
Welfare reform is not cuts.
It’s reform to improve support & open up opportunities.
Government attempts to cut disability benefits last year failed because it wasn’t reform. It was just cuts. Would disabled people & push them further from labour market
Message is don't forget childhood poverty in any NEET discussions.