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
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The Budget needs to deliver lasting solutions, especially if cost of living payments and the Household Support Fund are withdrawn.
Not enough food. Can’t heat your home. No bed. Can’t pay the rent. Can’t afford bus fare into town. Can’t afford a friend over for tea. Living in fear of your washing machine or fridge breaking down. Can't sleep because your mind is on fire with stress and worry. These experiences have become all too common in our country.
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.
Everyone needs somewhere to live that provides stability and security - it's essential for people to be able to put down roots and build a life for themselves and their family. But the UK is facing a housing crisis. In this series of briefings we focus on helping people with their housing costs, and tackling homelessness in our communities.
Destitution should never be used as a policy tool. Everyone in our communities should have a safety net to fall back on in hard times and government policy should not drive people into destitution, no matter where they have come from or how. These are not radical statements, yet they are at odds with where we currently find ourselves.