Katie leads a programme of work on destitution and deep poverty at JRF. She is one of the authors of JRF’s ‘We Can Solve Poverty’ report, which was described as a landmark report by BBC Home Affairs Editor Mark Easton. She is a regular commentator in the media through blogs, articles and broadcast appearances. Her areas of expertise include poverty, destitution, living wage, Minimum Income Standards, Universal Credit, devolution, economic development and local growth. Prior to joining JRF, Katie was Associate Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research North where she conducted research and authored reports on regional economic development, neighbourhood renewal and UK devolution. She has also worked for the Campaign for the English Regions, the Yes campaign for an elected North East Regional Assembly, and for an MP.
Twitter: @KatieSchmuecker
Email: katie.schmuecker@jrf.org.uk
As winter energy prices rise again, people will be plunged deeper into hardship unless the government acts. The Budget must offer an urgent plan for hardship.
In our new short film series, we highlight 4 organisations making a powerful impact in tackling hardship.
Primary schools and GP surgeries are staggering under the weight of hardship. Anyone serious about improving them needs an urgent action plan for tackling hardship.
With hardship growing, we need to combine the resources available in our communities with support from government policy, to strengthen our social safety net.
As hardship deepens, a supportive local state and national government is what neighbourhoods and communities need to thrive.
Social connections and networks need to be sustainable and resilient to help people weather economic and social uncertainties. Policy, funding and service design all have a crucial role to play in scaffolding community power and building resilience.
The knowledge and experience of marginalised communities needs to be central to how the state responds to hardship. Social connections are vital in providing practical and emotional help to people and stop their situation worsening.
The Budget needs to deliver lasting solutions, especially if cost of living payments and the Household Support Fund are withdrawn.
Reforming social security, supporting more people into good jobs, and helping people afford housing will shift the dial on deepening poverty. But crucial for protecting from hardship, the foundation to get on, are networks of friendship and help in communities and neighbourhoods, and the local services people rely on.