Want to know how we can deliver 1.5 million new homes this Parliament? Read ‘Breaking ground’ here 👇 fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Great to see @bencooper1995.bsky.social's report ‘Breaking ground’ featured in @insidehousing.bsky.social www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/late...

Excited to be joining @labourlist.bsky.social as a monthly columnist I'll be writing on housing, early years and a range of other topics I may even write about the Sea Wall and coastal areas - if I can sneak it past @emmaburnell.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/09/meet...

Brilliant to see my upcoming report on sick pay for the self employed covered in the Mirror today. Self-employed workers currently stand to lose 81 per cent of their income if they fall sick, leaving many in precarious situations. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Take a look at our full conference programme here 👇 fabians.org.uk/labour-party...

We will struggle to deliver 1.5 million new homes if we do not unleash the potential of SME builders across the country. This session will explore how we can remove the barriers faced by small housebuilders.

From The Ground Up: Expanding the Role of SMEs to Deliver the 1.5 Million New Homes Monday 29 | 16.15 | Bluecoat | @nationwidefdtn.bsky.social

Should we reform inheritance tax?
 💰 @bencooper1995.bsky.social makes the case for a cap on lifetime tax-free gifts on Times Radio.

"The country risks serious political consequences from successive generations being locked out of the benefits of homeownership in a country perceived to be failing them" I'm in @labourlist.bsky.social on why Labour must help 1st time buyers onto the property ladder labourlist.org/2025/08/home...

I'm in the Times arguing why there should be a lifetime cap on tax-free gifts. Income gained through luck or crafty financial planning shouldn't always be tax-free. If we believe in equality of opportunity, a cap is necessary. www.thetimes.com/business-mon...

Take a look at all our partners below 👇

Introducing the Festival of Ideas This September we're bringing our biggest and boldest Labour Party Conference programme EVER to Liverpool. 📢 40+ events ⚡ A new home at @theBluecoat 💬 The sharpest voices, the biggest questions, and the boldest ideas shaping the future of the left.

You can read ‘Repair, Reuse, Recycle - Making The Circular Economy in England Work At Scale’ here ⬇️ fabians.org.uk/publication/...

🔁 Invest in infrastructure for large scale critical mineral recycling, stimulating further private sector investment 🥫Mandate all large businesses to sign up to the food waste roadmap, rather than relying on voluntary commitments

🔧 Introduce a cap on repair prices within ‘right to repair’ legislation   🏗️ Abolish VAT for building refurbishments and repairs to level the playing field with new build.

The report sets out several policies that would help turn the tide and should be included in the upcoming circular economy strategy. The government could: 🎯 Introduce a target for England to reduce raw material use to under eight tonnes per person by 2050

But several factors have held back progression to a more circular economy, including a lack of political prioritisation by successive governments, a lack of clear targets, and a lack of financial incentives 💵

Developing a more circular economy, where waste is reduced and materials stay in circulation for longer, has numerous benefits - from increased resource security and reduced emissions, to benefits to the economy and consumers.

England produced 191m tonnes of waste in the last year data was recorded, and our material footprint has risen to 20.1 tonnes per capita in a year. That's the same as the weight of 4 African elephants.  🐘🐘🐘🐘

Delighted to launch this @thefabians.bsky.social report today on how England can reduce waste and make the circular economy work at scale.  We are currently going in the wrong direction on resource use, but there are several practical steps the government can take to turn this around. 🧵

Building 1.5m new homes is a stretching target It will require starts to nearly double, compared to previous parliament But the Gov will be judged on delivery so further reform is needed That is why @thefabians.bsky.social have established a Housing Centre www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...

Great to see the North East Mayor commit to trialling a Health in Pregnancy Grant and Baby Boxes. First Steps, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, recommended implementing both nationally. Let's hope where the North East leads, the forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy follows.

🚨WE’RE HIRING!🚨 Want to work on high-impact research and be at the heart of policy development? We’re recruiting: ✅ Senior Researcher / Researcher ✅ Research Assistant 🔗 Learn more: fabians.org.uk/about-us/rec...

Great to see some coverage of @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social's keynote speech in @insidehousing.bsky.social. www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/10-year...

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at the Housing Mission Summit and celebrated the launch of our new Fabian Housing Centre yesterday at the RICS.

"When it comes to national renewal, there are few tasks more urgent and more necessary than tackling England’s housing crisis." It was great to hear from @mtpennycook at @thefabians.bsky.social Housing Summit.

It was great to officially launch @thefabians.bsky.social Housing Centre The Centre will be a major research + policy programme to help shape housing debates across UK We are developing progressive policies to build 1.5m new homes, tackle the housing crisis + create great places to live

Awaiting flight to Brussels to take part in @FEPS_Europe forum on what happens now to EU-UK relations and how debate on the left in Scotland connects with discussions in the EU on how to build and promote resilient democracies and deliver positive change

A few reflections on yesterday's Devolution Bill:

Lot's of alignment with our work @thefabians.bsky.social e.g. here: fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Guidance here. I have not read the full Bill, unsurprisingly: www.gov.uk/government/p...

Next, I'd like to see more: 1. Fiscal devolution, naturally - a visitor levy is a no-brainer (see below) 2. Local accountability - checks and balances, especially for those commissioners 3. Pan-regional 'missing link' - how to enable things like the Great North to add value?

✅ Commissioners (like London's deputy mayors) & remunerated portfolio holders - more important than it sounds ✅ Duty to collaborate with other mayors - city-regions aren't islands! ✅ Streamlining process, and the SoS can force it if needed - this is how we complete the map

First thoughts on the Devolution Bill? No big surprises, but that's a good thing! The direction of travel was right, and this is a big step forward. Its impact downstream could be significant on quality of life, elections and long-term growth. Some personal highlights: 👇

Great to see the existing Family Hub model be focused on the early years, and delivering a best start in life. Focusing Family Hubs on the early years is something I've been arguing for ages in @thefabians.bsky.social reports and articles. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Great to see the consultation on the Decent Homes Standard. It is looking at many @thefabians.bsky.social recommendations, such as: 🏠 Floor coverings 🏠 Removing the age requirement for broken components 🏠 Guidance on accessibility 🏠 A 10-year implementation process www.gov.uk/government/c...

Exceptionally good piece here from @mds49.bsky.social, tracing the evolution of Blue Labour from the seminar rooms of Oxford to Glasman's new home on "MAGA square" www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/703...

Labour can tackle housing shortage + improve housing quality by investing in regeneration and estate renewal. Some of the £39bn for social/affordable housing should be used regenerate homes across estates. Read my article for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social leftfootforward.org/2025/06/the-...

Great to see the Democratic candidate for New York Mayor endorse a @thefabians.bsky.social recommendation 😅 In First Steps, I recommended introducing baby baskets or boxes for newborns with essential items Read my report here: fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Spain and Germany already have a maximum temperature law 🇪🇸🇩🇪 The UK must adapt to our changing climate and protect workers from the health impacts of more frequent and severe heatwaves You can read the full report below ⬇️ fabians.org.uk/publication/...

We also recommend clear statutory responsibilities on employers if working temperatures reach 24C, including: 👔 Temporary relaxation of dress codes 💧 Provision of water 🏡 More regular breaks 🌞 Provision of suncream and protective equipment for outdoor workers

Think it’s too hot to work today? 🌡️🥵 Our report ‘Whatever the Weather’ recommends the government introduce a maximum indoor working temperature of 30C Originally recommended by @tuc.org.uk, it would incentivise employers to keep workplaces cool while avoiding health impacts to workers

As a big week comes to an end, here's a reflection on the spending review - which set the scene both for the rest of the parliament, and the next election campaign. For @thefabians.bsky.social fabians.org.uk/turning-the-...

Great to hear the Chancellor say the warm homes plan will be expanded. @thefabians.bsky.social are planning research on how the gov can learn from previous plans on home upgrades & use data to ensure upgrades reach those that need it most. Do get in touch to be involved or hear more 🏡

Great to see funding for the Fair Pay Agreement in social care in the Spending Review. @joedromey.bsky.social and I argued that the social care Fair Pay Agreement needs to be full funded in Seizing the Opportunity. Read the report 👇 fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Great to see this increase in the Affordable Homes Programme, and a new rent settlement in the Spending Review. @thefabians.bsky.social have called for both to deliver more social homes, and improve the quality of existing ones. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

It was great to chair two fantastic panels at our Opportunity Mission Summit. In both panels on child poverty and on early education, there were lots of ideas on how the government can give every child the best start in life.

“A circular economy approach to construction, automotives and food offers practical alternatives to the current ‘make, take, waste’ model” In @left-foot-forward.bsky.social, @eloisesacares.bsky.social urges the government to supercharge waste reduction.
 leftfootforward.org/2025/06/bann...

Great to see a push from mayors for a visitor levy/tourist tax recently. An absolute no brainer. In the UK 5% of tax is raised locally/regionally - compared to 13% in France and 31% in Germany Those countries have DOUBLE the rate of local economic investment That's no coincidence