Thanks so much for the update – it really does feel hard to believe we’re already in June! I appreciate you keeping us in the loop, especially with such important developments.

Hearing that the Child Poverty Strategy has been postponed is definitely frustrating. So many of us have put time, energy, and lived experience into shaping this work, and it’s disheartening to feel like it’s being delayed once again. At the same time, I recognise that change in government policy can be slow, and the progress we have made – especially with the extension of free school meals – is something to hold on to.

The announcement about universal free school meals from 2026 is a real step forward, and I’m hopeful it will make a genuine difference for many families. But I also can’t help but think about those who are struggling right now. Waiting another year or more for this support feels like a long time when you’re trying to stretch every penny. And of course, for those of us outside England – like in Scotland – it raises questions about how equitable the support is across the UK, and whether similar commitments will follow here.

Overall, I’m feeling a mix of hope and determination. Hope because this is a sign that voices are being heard. Determination because we clearly still have a long way to go. I’d be happy to contribute a blog or comment if that would be helpful – especially around how delays like this impact families in real time.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone soon.

I am a council tenant. At first of every month, I put aside some money for rent and then council tax and energy bill which is priority bills. I will spend the rest after paying the essential bill and others. Sometimes it is very difficult to live on with the rest of the money as everything's price gone up within the last few years. So tried to cope with the limited saving at the moment.

Please try not to surround yourself with toxic people's. leave life and don’t allow life leave you. Everything happened for a reason be grateful for life peace ✌️ and love ❤️.

Hello everyone based on your question lack of support can make someone lose their job, for example the company and co- workers are not good to you, or the job you are doing cause you back pain, and also chest pain, and the company is doing anything in getting the equipment needed to carry out the job I will kindly leave because health is very important.

I'm just glad back to school and back to normality

Rubbish to be honest.

My experience is Ok but is hard and difficult to find the proper support, normally they send you We cant support or We no available to dealing with your situation, is hard to received the proper support. In my case after many many tries I found the advisor to help me with my situation.

Universal credit have ask me to upload a CV.

I have worked in retail for many years and as well as doing short courses and raising a young family.

I feel being on a a low income and raising 2 children under the age of 10 gives me little time and finances to better my further education prospects.

There is very little support for mothers over the age of 35 onwards to go to college or even university part time.

This is so frustrating.

I've never really received much support from the Jobcentre to get into work, if anything, they have always put the onus on me, by asking me, what I am doing to increase my chances of finding work, rather than ask me whether there is any support they could give me in order for me do so.

I don't think that the Jobcentre do take people's individual circumstances into account, especially if you have a health condition or physical disability, because when I was telling them that I had such conditions, they still had me in the 'actively seeking work' work group category, which meant that I had to look for work for 35 hours or more a week until I was eventually recognised as having a 'Limited Capacity to Work'. This was after having gone through a series of assessments with them. The whole process took more than 2 years for me to be awarded as having a limited capacity to work.

I think good support to get into work should aim to help individuals find and retain good quality jobs, which should involve personalised assistance, addressing individual needs by integrating with other relevant services.

Good employment support should also focus on an individual's health and well-being and give them access to relevant, well paid work opportunities should any health issues be identified, and if the individual wants to work. I don't think they should be forced into it though, especially if they don't feel well enough to do work, or are just not ready to find work as yet.

👉🏽 Important change

If an adult friend or relative lives in your home, the DWP usually expects them to pay something towards your rent.

This means money is taken out of your universal credit housing element.

The DWP calls adults who live with you ‘non dependants’.

From this month (April), your universal credit housing element will go down by £93.02 for every non dependant adult who lives with you.

Your universal credit is reduced even if the person does not pay anything to live in your home.

Read our advice to find out more about:

🔹 who counts as a non dependant

🔹 when the DWP should not reduce your universal credit

👉🏾 https://shltr.org.uk/Sfmyn

My children were developing well in their childhood but it was hard to train them to do potty by themselves before go to school. Nursery school where they kept toddler for few hours a day but expected that toddler will do everything by them selves. Staff at nursery was reluctant to change nappy and feed toddler which made me anxious. We tried best to make our toddler ready for the year one where they were able to continue school independently. Initially spend lots on toddler's nappy, take away food etc to make them independent.

Nowadays I have more mental health than my physical health. My physical health can stay in one place with medication and treatment but my mental health fluctuates based on family relationship, housing situation, medical conditions etc but my financial burden is the most that contributed on my mental health. Every month have to worry whether I can manage my family with the limited income and benefits. If benefits increase then that make me smile and on other hand decrease of income poses badly on my mental health.