Date: 15th May

Time: 11am-12pm

Venue: Online event – register for free on Eventbrite

The Government claims the cost-of-living crisis is easing as inflation falls further. But what does our on-the-ground data tell us about the lives of the people we help? 

Join Our Chief Executive, Dame Clare Moriarty and Chief Data Analyst, Tom MacInnes as they explore our latest data; which will show for the first time the impact of the package of measures from the Government to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. 

In the latest Spring and Autumn statements the government announced increases to Benefits, Local Housing Allowance, and the Minimum wage, among others, effective from April. We welcomed this much-needed action, which will certainly be a relief for some. But the crisis is deep, and this month our data will show for the first time if the government’s actions have been effective in lifting people out of the red.

We’re delighted to announce our guest speaker for May; Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary, TUC who will share the impact of the crisis on the TUC membership and what policy levers could be pulled to support workers facing hardship.

Speakers

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice

Clare was appointed Chief Executive of Citizens Advice in April 2021. She leads the national charity and network of local Citizens Advice charities across England & Wales. Through 1:1 advice, online support and advocacy, Citizens Advice gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward and speaks up on their behalf to bring about wider change.

Clare was previously a civil servant for nearly 35 years, latterly as Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2015 to 2019, and of the Department for Exiting the EU until its closure in January 2020. Her early career was spent mainly in the Department of Health and the NHS, with senior roles in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Transport.

After leaving the Civil Service, Clare chaired the Health Foundation’s Covid-19 impact inquiry and worked with organisations including Transport for London and the Bank of England. She is a trustee of the History of Parliament Trust and chairs the South Downs Partnership. Clare was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2020 Birthday Honours.

Kate Bell, Assistant General Secretary, TUC
Kate Bell is Assistant General Secretary and supports Paul Nowak in leading the TUC.

Kate works with external stakeholders on behalf of the TUC and is responsible for inter-union relations. She also leads on internal TUC matters.

Kate joined the TUC in 2016 as the organisation’s head of economics, international and employment rights department.

Kate played a lead role in securing the furlough scheme during the pandemic – leading vital meetings with ministers and civil servants.

She has also led the TUC’s campaign for a £15 minimum wage, common ownership in the energy sector and stronger worker bargaining rights.

Before joining the TUC, Kate worked as Head of Policy and Public Affairs for a local authority.

She has also worked for the Labour Party, and for the charities Child Poverty Action Group and Gingerbread.

Kate was a longstanding member of the Low Pay Commission until January 2024.