Donald Hirsch

As Director of the Centre of Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University from 2012 to 2022, Donald led its pioneering research on the Minimum Income Standard which has become Britain's leading benchmark of what income households need for a decent life. Previously, as Poverty Adviser to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation from 1998 to 2008, he was closely involved in monitoring the Labour government’s programme to reduce child poverty. A former journalist, Donald has written a wide range of influential reports on living standards and related issues. He is now Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at Loughborough, and a consultant providing analysis of the present crisis and policy responses. Donald now provides his expertise on the living standards to the Trust as an external advisor.