Strengthening the social safety net
Everyone should have someone and somewhere to turn to when times are hard. That is what we refer to as the ‘social safety net’.
Neighbourhoods and communities
Graeme Cooke
Former Director of Insight and Policy
Graeme was our Director of Insight and Policy (June 2021 - March 2024) where he led the evidence, economics, and policy teams at JRF to achieve a deeper understanding of the causes and nature of poverty across the UK and develop bold, creative, and credible policy solutions.
Before that, Graeme was Director of Inclusive Growth at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, where he had responsibility for regeneration, housing, planning, economic development, employment, energy, and environment. His other roles include Head of Strategy at the London Borough of Islington, Director of Research at the Institute for Public Policy Research and Expert Adviser to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
By this author
The missing piece: the case for a public sector master developer
This briefing calls for development of new, large-scale, sustainable communities with homes, jobs and infrastructure. It will mean the public sector taking a much stronger role, in partnership with the private sector, to advance the long-term public interest.
Housing
Economic security: A foundation for dignity, opportunity and hope in an age of uncertainty
This briefing argues for far-reaching social reform to expand economic security, increase people’s control over key aspects of their lives, and catalyse their social and economic contribution. It must respond to immediate everyday concerns, but also the longer-range issues undermining many households.
Design out deep poverty - strengthen the social safety net
In this blog Katie Schmuecker and Graeme Cooke look at JRF's new report offering a framework to local areas, so no one ever need experience deep poverty.
Neighbourhoods and communities
Deep poverty and destitution
Help JRF discover vital insight to guide better policy and action
We’re recruiting a vital new role – Associate Director of Insight and Analysis – to take up this challenge and lead our analytical team. Graeme Cooke tells us more.