Maudie joined JRF in 2023 from the Ministry of Social Development in New Zealand, where she worked as a senior policy adviser on the social security system. Her work focused on income adequacy and reducing child poverty in New Zealand. Maudie worked on major reforms such as the benefit rate increases of July 2021 and April 2022 and she led the Ministry’s advice on the cost of living crisis. Her research interests include fiscal and economic policy.
Email: maudie.johnson-hunter@jrf.org.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HunterMaudie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudie-johnson-hunter-0a6a14225/
Novel JRF modelling shows what the latest economic forecasts mean for UK households ahead of the March Budget.
This short briefing assesses the decisions made by the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement against what people are actually worried about.
Millions of people are still in the grip of high and rising prices, a rapid rise in interest rates, and a deteriorating job market. This remains a dangerously evolving crisis. The Autumn Statement must address the breadth and depth of hardship in the UK - anything less will be a failure.
Long-standing inequalities mean that households with a disabled person are falling behind faster in the cost of living crisis. Our latest analysis shows a disturbing picture - but it doesn’t have to be like this.
With around nine in ten low-income households receiving Universal Credit unable to afford essentials, this summary draws on growing evidence to show how inadequate income can act as a barrier to work.
This new research shows persistently high levels of hardship in the UK, with the numbers of low-income households going without essentials or in arrears not having budged in over a year.