Last week we and our partners at @opfs.org.uk & @fifegingerbread.bsky.social took the Transforming Child Maintenance message to Holyrood. Thanks to @stu-mcmillan-msp.bsky.social for hosting us and relaying our recommendations for what the Scottish Govt can do to help children and families.

#ChildMaintenance needs reform at source, but Scotland can act now with practical, low-cost steps to improve access. At yesterday’s Scottish Parliament roundtable hosted by @stu-mcmillan-msp.bsky.social, partners, MSPs & parents discussed both UK-wide reform and immediate Scottish actions.

@markdiffley1.bsky.social @sarahkyambi.bsky.social @beckakaymcc.bsky.social @podmalm.bsky.social @britishfuture.bsky.social @migobs.bsky.social @nuffieldfoundation.org @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk @ipprscotland.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social

[email protected] came up north from London for our tenth anniversary conference and wrote a lovely blog about why she found herself returning home. ✒️ Read it here⤵️ www.ippr.org/articles/a-r...

Read @stephenboydippr.bsky.social's full response to the UK Budget 👇 www.ippr.org/media-office...

While the autumn budget contained some welcome measures, it falls short of what the UK and Scotland need. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/221-re...

The UK government's decision to remove the two-child limit is a welcome one; it will lift around 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. ✒️ @stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Budget ⤵️

Removal of the 2 child limit is hugely welcome. This one measure will immediately lift 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal. #Budget

Worth noting that this budget confirms, borrowing will *more than half* over the course of this parliament. Should appease financial market worries that UK is not sticking to its fiscal plans. Should help reduce the UK borrowing cost premium.

Today the government is lifting the 2-child limit – a major IPPR win that boosts incomes and improves opportunities for ~ 1.6m children. Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty. A landmark moment.

Fantastic news that @RachelReevesMP has more than doubled fiscal headroom - a core recommendations of @IPPR . This will bring stability against shocks and hugely reduce market uncertainty.

ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.

1/ One of the privileges of writing 'It Takes A Village' with @ippr.org has been hearing from parents about what it’s really like raising healthy children today. Together with a @publicfirst.bsky.social survey of 1,500+ parents, we held 6 focus groups across England. Here are my key takeaways 👇

There was a target back in 2018 to halve childhood obesity. But new data shows that one in ten children in reception and one in five year 6 children are living with obesity.

Our webinar is TOMORROW & there are only a few tickets remaining! Join our Co-Director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social and Senior Economist @hannawheatley.bsky.social for a discussion on whether private finance can fix the nature crisis. 🗓️25 Nov 12:30-1:30pm 👇Book now: www.eventbrite.com/e/can-privat...

Recently, we attended @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10 year anniversary event. CR participant James sat on a panel titled: 'Can Scotland meet its poverty targets' alongside CPAG and the Poverty Truth Community. He wrote a wonderful speech which can be read here: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...

As the Chancellor pulls back on changes to income tax, there are lessons from Scotland - the most taxed part of the UK is also least opposed to further rises. Politicians should be less frightened by tax reform so long as they make an argument for it. See blog below👇

"The Scottish tax experiment has shown that people won’t necessarily revolt over income tax increases. It is possible to make the case for progressive increases and win the argument. The world won’t come to an end." ✒️ @caseysmithippr.bsky.social. Read more ⤵️ www.ippr.org/articles/sco...

Families need support long before things break down. Our 2nd call for change is simple: build better support outside the CMS so parents can resolve problems quickly. Learn more → opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance @fifegingerbread.bsky.social @ipprscotland.bsky.social

"The Muscatelli report is a serious and thoughtful analysis of what is and isn’t working in Scotland’s economic development eco-system. It sets a high standard for the campaign to come," @stephenboydippr.bsky.social reflects on the Muscatelli report in this blog ⤵️ www.ippr.org/articles/in-...

For many single parents, navigating the CMS feels like hitting a wall. Explore their stories, poems and art and experience an interactive simulation that reveals what it’s like to seek support through a broken system. Visit: bit.ly/4ooaIzl #TransformingChildMaintenance @ipprscotland.bsky.social

New polling by @ipprscotland.bsky.social shows 78% of parents favour a system that prioritises getting maintenance in place for every child 📊 Read the blog: opfs.org.uk/get-involved... #TransformingChildMaintenance @fifegingerbread.bsky.social

After months of planning and plotting, safe to say our conference yesterday was a success. A big thank you to everyone present. Some highlights⤵️ @johnswinney.bsky.social @anassarwar.bsky.social @stephenboydippr.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social @sukhadatatke.bsky.social

After months of planning and plotting, safe to say our conference yesterday was a success. A big thank you to everyone present. Some highlights⤵️ @johnswinney.bsky.social @anassarwar.bsky.social @stephenboydippr.bsky.social @davehawkey.bsky.social @caseysmithippr.bsky.social @sukhadatatke.bsky.social

We were delighted to attend @ipprscotland.bsky.social’s 10th anniversary conference yesterday. Our co-director @lmacfarlane.bsky.social spoke on a panel discussing Scotland’s net zero challenge. Happy anniversary 🎂

Anas Sarwar @ipprscotland.bsky.social event outlining the need for governance reform in Scottish health services and more use of Scottish economic levers

Great to be at @ipprscotland.bsky.social's conference today, discussing the big choices & challenges shaping Scotland’s future. @sarahdavidson.bsky.social joined the opening panel to share insights from our latest #LifeInTheUK research & our recent work on Budgeting for Wellbeing.

Next session at the @ipprscotland.bsky.social focussing on the health of Scotland’s democracy

Speech from FM @johnswinney.bsky.social at @ipprscotland.bsky.social conference. In follow up Q&A says: "...standards of living (in Scotland) are not under our control."

FM John Swinney speaking at @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10th anniversary conference in Edinburgh: argues that after a pattern of undermining devolution by Westminster “our parliament is not strong enough to protect us from a UK government led by Nigel Farage”

Attending the @ipprscotland.bsky.social event today. An excellent opening from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social reminding us on democratic threats & need for more policy innovation & now @graemeroy.bsky.social outlining fiscal pressures

And we are off! Our conference begins. Exciting day ahead - getting to grips with the challenges Scotland faces in the years ahead!

High levels of support from parents in Scotland for reform of UK child maintenance. The current system pushes too many parents away. We @ipprscotland.bsky.social find 78% would like to see greater state support on offer for parents who struggle to make arrangements work. opfs.org.uk/get-involved...

I'm heading along to this event tomorrow: bsky.app/profile/ippr... Come and say hello!

📊 New polling from @ipprscotland.bsky.social shows overwhelming support for reform of the child maintenance system. Read the latest blog from @IPPRScotland, part of our #TransformingChildMaintenance project with @fifegingerbread.bsky.social 📄 opfs.org.uk/get-involved...

Extensive coverage of @ipprscotland.bsky.social polling in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social We wanted to know about the public’s voting intentions, their policy priorities and whether they believe the Scottish Parliament can deliver for them...🧵 www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557155...

IPPR Scotland Director, @stephenboydippr.bsky.social said: “Last year’s UK election was described as a conspiracy of silence because the parties would not be explicit about the choices the UK faced: whether to let public services deteriorate further or to raise taxes...."

Brilliant report by @andrewlearmonth.bsky.social on the polling we commissioned ahead of our 10th anniversary conference next week. The results are grim. Scotland deserves better.

Too many children are missing out on the support they deserve. We’re supporting @opfs.org.uk, @fifegingerbread.bsky.social & @ipprscotland.bsky.social in calling for a fairer, safer system. 📄Read the report & learn more about the campaign: opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

A big thanks to Charlotte who spoke on BBC Radio Scotland this morning about her own lived experience of the Child Maintenance System. 🎧 Listen : www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... from 1:50:08 #TransformingChildMaintenance @ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social

📢 Big news! Today we launch a joint report with @fifegingerbread.bsky.social & @ipprscotland.bsky.social. Too many are missing out on the support they’re due. 📄 Read the report + sign the open letter for change → opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

🚸 Too many children are missing out on the support they deserve. It’s time for change! 📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

🚸Too many children are missing out on the child maintenance support they deserve. It’s time for change! We @ipprscotland.bsky.social alongside @opfs.org.uk , @fifegingerbread.bsky.social are calling for a fairer, safer system. 📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

Single parents, the majority of whom are women, disproportionally experience poverty. We support @opfs.org.uk, @fifegingerbread.bsky.social & @ipprscotland.bsky.social in calling for a fairer, safer child maintenance system. 📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

🚸 Too many children are missing out on the support they deserve. It’s time for change! We’re backing @opfs.org.uk @fifegingerbread.bsky.social & @ipprscotland.bsky.social in calling for a fairer, safer system. 📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve... #TransformingChildMaintenance

🕰️Our tenth anniversary conference is exactly a week away. If you haven't already registered, this is your chance. Seats are limited.

Do register. Limited places available.

Very limited places available for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10th Anniversary Conference on 29 October. Agenda and registration details here: luma.com/event/manage...

The HOL Public Services Committee’s new report on #ChildMaintenance was informed by our discussions with MPs & DWP. Our report launches next week 👀 Watch this space! 🔗 committees.parliament.uk/committee/43... #TransformingChildMaintenance @ipprscotland.bsky.social @fifegingerbread.bsky.social

We're hiring!💥 IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy. Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October. www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...