Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Poverty is deepening.

🔎 Our #UKPoverty2026 report was launched this morning.

People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.

This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.

We were disappointed to see housing support for low-income renters frozen for a third year in a row at last week's Budget.

This is despite:

- Private rents rising 23% since rates were last set
- Just 1.9% of homes listed to rent being affordable to people on housing benefit.

🚨 NEW ANALYSIS!

Our latest modelling finds that without urgent action on the cost of living, this will still be the worst parliament on record for living standards.

Our analysis shows that households across the income spectrum will suffer the hit 👇

💼 'Breathing space' for today not enough

Our response to today's Budget 👇

Chancellor @JohnHealey_MP has announced measures that will help struggling families this winter - but we'll be right back here again next year without more fundamental reforms.

Earlier today, we launched our Poverty in Northern Ireland report, and shared some of the headline findings on poverty rates.

❓But what is the impact of poverty on those often overlooked by policy to tackle it?

Dr Rory Sweeney of @RCPCHtweets explains 👇