This report is the third and final wave of research in 2025 from Demos and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, analysing online forums to surface insights from people experiencing financial hardship across the UK. By exploring discussions in specific online support spaces, we identify continuing challenges and emerging trends for people experiencing poverty and inequality.
This report focuses on experiences of unemployment, self-employment and insecure work, drawing on analysis of 37,500+ online forum posts, alongside insights from the Grassroots Poverty Action Group (GPAG) – a group of anti-poverty advocates with lived experience of financial hardship convened by JRF.
We found that, across online discussions, people describe widespread redundancies, a very tough job market, and increasing reliance on insecure work to make ends meet. Many express deep concern about the lack of a financial safety net, alongside significant barriers to accessing welfare and navigating taxes when incomes are unstable.
The Employment Rights Bill marks real progress, but more needs to be done to protect this vulnerable group. We’re calling on the government to honour its manifesto commitment and extend protections to those pushed into insecure work.