Earlier this year, we argued that all budgets needed to pass the "living standards test". There are clearly major headwinds, but with higher wages, help for energy bills, and removing the 2-child limit, this budget did well. Changes including last year show a clear progressive picture:

OK so it's not technically in the Budget itself, but an (overnight) Visitor Levy in England is a really good move - and something we've long been calling for! Consultation here: www.gov.uk/government/c...

England needs to ensure its homes are fit for an ageing population. Great to see @annadixonmp.bsky.social mention Forward Planning, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, in her excellent @labourlist.bsky.social piece. labourlist.org/2025/11/anna...

Today I have started my new role as a Senior Researcher at @thefabians.bsky.social I’m excited to get started developing new ideas and to continue (my longtime passion of) thinking about the future of the Left.

Great to see a new cabinet committee focused on growth and living standards - two vital cross-Whitehall agendas, and the right way to coordinate decision making (if done right!): www.gov.uk/government/p...

England is ageing As we build 1.5m new homes in this parliament, we need to ensure they are fit for this future And it needs to be easier for people to improve their properties as needs change Read my report for @thefabians.bsky.social + @ageingbetter.bsky.social fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Great to see this! A visitor levy/tourism tax would be a small but really important step in the right direction for devolution - it would fund better public realm and other infrastructure tourists and residents use Let's hope the government follows through! www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Great to see this! A visitor levy/tourism tax would be a small but really important step in the right direction for devolution - it would fund better public realm and other infrastructure tourists and residents use Let's hope the government follows through! www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Good to see the Mayfield Review launched. The rise in health-related inactivity is bad for workers, employers, and public finances. If we want to address this rise, we need to keep people well in work. That will require stronger incentives & better support for employers.

Delighted that Primary Colours, my first ever report for @thefabians.bsky.social was referenced in the Curriculum and Assessment Review. The national curriculum needs to be strengthened to ensure every child has access to the arts. Read Primary Colours here: fabians.org.uk/publication/...

The task of building 1.5m new homes in a parliament is immense. We need to 'build baby build' social and council housing to meet it. Read my latest column for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/10/buil...

How can Labour Raise the revenue we need? 💰   The Chancellor faces some challenging choices at the Autumn Budget.   In our new edited collection – Taxing Questions – we set out how we can raise the revenue we need to invest in public services. 🧵

Really important report today on flood resilience - drawing on @eloisesacares.bsky.social report on climate adaptation for the @thefabians.bsky.social

“Since the levy was introduced, the number of apprenticeship starts has fallen by a third.” If the PM’s apprenticeship plan is to work, it must reform the failed levy argues @joedromey.bsky.social for @politicshome.bsky.social. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

The Festival of Ideas was the biggest and boldest Labour Party Programme we’ve ever had at @thefabians.bsky.social ✅42 events across 4 days ✅Over 2,000 attendees ✅Over 50 Ministers & MPs ✅Exploring the big issues of our time

And now great to see Starmer reiterating that living standards is the top priority. Here’s our analysis and proposals for how to improve living standards in practice:

Our Back to Business session with @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @catherineatkinson.bsky.social, @lukeraikes.bsky.social

About time for England to let its mayors do the same.

Great to see coverage of @sasjkia.bsky.social’s report, ‘Nye Bevan’s lost legacy’ in both the @financialtimes.com and @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s... www.ft.com/content/868f...

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...

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 How do we extend sick pay protection to the self-employed? In ‘Ill-Prepared’ @eloisesacares.bsky.social sets out a roadmap for a full employment insurance system by the end of next parliament. Here’s what you need to know🧵

New @thefabians report out today, proposing “sick pay” for the self-employed:

New @thefabians report out today, proposing “sick pay” for the self-employed:

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...

The employment rights bill is vital. But we also need to answer the question: what makes someone an employee? Our answer will affect some of the most vulnerable people in the labour market. Me for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social @thefabians.bsky.social leftfootforward.org/2025/09/new-...

The employment rights bill is vital. But we also need to answer the question: what makes someone an employee? Our answer will affect some of the most vulnerable people in the labour market. Me for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social @thefabians.bsky.social leftfootforward.org/2025/09/new-...

Why even small-scale local levies could make a big difference to local areas, for the MJ Visitor levies, business rate supplements and land value capture - give places the tools they need www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

Why even small-scale local levies could make a big difference to local areas, for the MJ Visitor levies, business rate supplements and land value capture - give places the tools they need www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

“The Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will soon be debated in parliament. MPs must heed the call from mayors and councils to give them the tools to do their job” Fiscal devolution can boost growth and raise living standards, writes @lukeraikes.bsky.social themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

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...

Catching up with this excellent piece by @rjpartington.bsky.social

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 Since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy there has been a 34% decline in young people starting apprenticeships. How do we reverse this? In ‘Levying-Up’, @joedromey.bsky.social and @sasjkia.bsky.social call for reform of the levy to drive growth and unlock opportunity🧵

🚨Reminder: we're recruiting research roles!! 🚨 @thefabians.bsky.social Not long left to apply now - closes 22 August... fabians.org.uk/about-us/rec...

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.

Great to see the PM confirm that living standards will be the key test of the forthcoming budget: www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

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...

We are recruiting at the Fabians! Come and join our small but high-impact research team You’ll be at the heart of UK policy making, developing new ideas and using research to shape policy 1x Senior Researcher OR Researcher; 1x Research assistant for the Fabian Housing Centre

We are recruiting at the Fabians! Come and join our small but high-impact research team You’ll be at the heart of UK policy making, developing new ideas and using research to shape policy 1x Senior Researcher OR Researcher; 1x Research assistant for the Fabian Housing Centre

Great to see the Work and Pensions Select Committee report on pensioner poverty referencing Fabians research.

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.

Great to hear @bencooper1995.bsky.social outline the importance of place to the new Fabian Housing Centre, launched today. The housing crisis is everywhere but is very different in different parts of the country. fabians.org.uk/fabian-housi...

A few reflections on yesterday's Devolution Bill:

A few reflections on yesterday's Devolution Bill:

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: 👇

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: 👇

Do you feel better off? That is the question that will decide the next election. Good to see Labour MPs focusing on how we can tackle the cost of living. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The public finances are under pressure. ✂️ big spending cuts are not sustainable 💷 changing the fiscal rules risks increasing borrowing costs So we must to look at increasing tax. I set out three options for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/07/rach...