Blog / News
Here you can find newsletters featuring the latest news updates from PRAN. We also feature blogs by PRAN and contributors from our network.
If you have information about projects, new research or want to share an experience, please get in touch.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 29: July 2026
This month's PRAN newsletter features a guest blog from Age UK on pensioner poverty and the looming cost-of-living crisis, the latest episode of The Cost-of-Living Chronicles podcast on the politics of poverty, plus news of LATAN's upcoming conference and a special film screening of The Man With The Plan. From urgent warnings about the winter ahead to hopeful visions of collective action, this edition brings together research, policy, and practice from across our network.
Pensioner poverty on the brink of another cost-of-living crisis
Over a million UK pensioners live in poverty, with many cutting back on heating, food, and social activities. As energy prices rise again, Age UK warns this winter could bring another cost-of-living crisis. Better Pension Credit take-up, wider energy support, and accessible local crisis help are urgently needed.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 28: June 2026
In this month's newsletter, we explore new ideas for tackling poverty and strengthening the welfare state, highlight an opportunity to contribute to important research on disability, rest and free time, and remind members about our forthcoming public discussion on Poverty & Social Justice at the SPA Annual Conference in Liverpool. We hope there's something here to inform, inspire and encourage further conversation.
Tackling poverty requires a wide-ranging rebuilding of Britain’s social contract
With the resignation of Keir Starmer and the imminent prospect of Andy Burnham taking over the leadership of the Labour Party and the country, there is a renewed interest in ideas and policies on how to change Britain to create a fairer society. This is welcome news for those interested in poverty policy, opening discussion on how to tackle the underlying causes of the UK’s economic and social problems.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 27: May 2026
The latest PRAN newsletter reflects on the Forging Connections forum, shares details of an upcoming public discussion on poverty and social justice at the SPA Annual Conference in Liverpool, and presents new research on food insecurity. We also highlight a petition on water poverty worth your support.
Food Insecurity: Voices from the Foodbank
This blog presents findings from the Food Insecurity: Voices from the Foodbank project, exploring lived experiences of food bank users in North West England. It highlights how food insecurity affects health and wellbeing, alongside creative co-produced outputs that centre participant voices and deepen understanding of inequality, stigma, and daily hardship.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 26: April 2026
PRAN’s April newsletter highlights the Picture This exhibition, sparking vital conversations on poverty and inequality, alongside a new blog on precarity in education. Join our upcoming Against All Odds event at Liverpool’s annual literary festival, celebrating working-class creativity. Plus, opportunities to access resources and participate in new research on youth activism.
The Precariat grows in the Education Industry
In our latest blog, Guy Standing argues that over the past half-century, education has become a vast, commercialised industry marked by rising spending yet declining investment in teaching, shrinking humanities, and worsening teacher conditions. A deepening class divide has produced administrative dominance and widespread precarity among educators, undermining teaching quality, professional stability, and the social purpose of education.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 25: March 2026
In this issue, PRAN explores new ideas on inequality, with a blog from Prof Kate Pickett and a programme of April events, including Liverpool based discussions on food insecurity, poverty and inequality.
A Blueprint for a Better World: Why Tackling Inequality is the Key to Ending Poverty
In The Good Society: And How We Make It, Kate Pickett argues that poverty is not an isolated misfortune but the predictable outcome of deep economic inequality, which erodes trust, health, and opportunity across society. Drawing on decades of research, she contends that by confronting inequality through bold measures such as Universal Basic Income and wealth taxes, we can move beyond managing deprivation and begin building a fairer, more resilient world.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 24: February 2026
Issue 24 highlights upcoming PRAN events over the next three months. We hope to see you online and in person, and welcome colleagues from academia, public services, civil society, the third sector, and grassroots activism.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 23: January 2026
As PRAN enters 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to tackling poverty and social injustice. This issue highlights our latest blog on funeral poverty, bursaries for the Early Career Forum 2026, and the launch of Picture This, using visual storytelling to spark change.
Too poor to die? The rise of public health funerals and the cost of dying crisis demands better welfare support and greater regulation of the funeral industry
The UK’s cost of dying crisis means many can’t afford funerals, forcing a rise in basic public health burials. The blog calls for stronger welfare support, tighter funeral industry regulation, and fairer, affordable options.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 22: December 2025
Explore the latest PRAN updates, including our new blog reflecting on PRAN’s activities and achievements over the past year, and take the opportunity to wish everyone a restful winter break.
A year of connection, collaboration and impact: PRAN in review
This year has been a vital and energising one for PRAN. Through events, podcasts, blogs and the launch of our Early Career Forum, we’ve brought people together for critical conversations on poverty, inequality and social justice — laying strong foundations for what comes next.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 21: November 2025
Explore the latest from PRAN: Read Michael Brennan’s powerful blog on the UK’s “cost of dying” crisis, and check out upcoming events like the 2026 Early Career Symposium and monthly Forum—plus more chances to connect, learn, and advance social justice work.
Rethinking End-of-Life Support
What if we had a social policy for the end of life? As hundreds die in poverty daily in the UK, a new call urges state support—like early pension access—to ease the financial burden of terminal illness. It's time to make dying with dignity a national priority.
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 20: October 2025
In this issue, we share updates from across the PRAN network, including the new Early Career Forum—a space to connect and support those starting out in social justice. Plus, tune into the latest Cost-of-Living Chronicles podcast exploring new research and lived experiences in the UK crisis.
Introducing the Early Career Forum: Strengthening Networks, Building Resilience
Starting out in social justice work can be tough—short contracts, emotional strain, and little support. That’s why PRAN is launching the Early Career Forum: a new space to connect, share, and build resilience among early career anti-poverty and justice workers. #SocialJustice
PRAN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 19: September 2025
In this issue we’re excited to share updates including Picture This: A Visual Perspective on Poverty and Inequality in the UK. These illustrations turn research into accessible advocacy for all. We also spotlight iMAPP’s launch in Liverpool City Region, uniting communities to tackle poverty.