Great to write this piece for @politicshome.bsky.social today. Unlocking affordable access to EVs through social leasing would cut bills for lower income households, further our energy independence, and help fight the climate crisis.

🛢️ Eighteen organisations across trade unions, civil society and industry call for social leasing in the UK 🛢️ Social leasing would cut emissions, ease energy bills, and deliver a fair response to the current petrol crisis. Read the letter ⬇️ www.transportenvironment.org/te-united-ki...

HAC colleagues @transportenvironment.org in partnership with @evaengland.org.uk have launched a report on expanding access to EVs for lower income households. It calls for social leasing to cut costs, reduce emissions + ensure the shift to clean mobility is fair for everyone. 🔗https://bit.ly/4rjou6Q

You can also find our explainer (which you can download) here: www.transportenvironment.org/te-united-ki... #NationalPotholeDay

It's National Pothole Day ❗ 🚩 We can all agree potholes suck. But not all drivers are equal culprits - a 2 tonne SUV causes up to 16 times as much road damage as a 1 tonne car. That's why @transenvuk.bsky.social want a Large Vehicle Levy to fairly charge SUV users for their impact on our roads.

Great to see T&E UK's recent analysis on SUV sales quoted in the Birmingham Mail this weekend. Large SUVs cause greater damage to our roads, are more polluting, and diminish space in communities. Yet SUVs now make up 2/3 of sales compared to only 51% in 2021. We must ensure SUVs are fairly taxed.

What’s been happening with SUV sales in the UK? 🚘 SUV sales have continued to grow in the UK market this year - meaning more emissions, safety risks and road wear, and less space on our roads for pedestrians and communities 📈

Earlier this week T&E UK launched the Houses of Carliament, a pop-up event where politicians across parties stopped by to talk about the Large Vehicle Levy. 🧵 @transenvuk.bsky.social

⏰ Yesterday’s ‘Houses of Carliament’ event for our Large Vehicle Levy was a great success, with strong engagement from MPs and fellow advocates. 💰 The proposed levy aims to generate approximately £2 bill annually by ensuring heavier vehicles pay their fair share of road taxes. #HousesOfCarliament

Earlier this week T&E UK launched the Houses of Carliament, a pop-up event where politicians across parties stopped by to talk about the Large Vehicle Levy. 🧵 @transenvuk.bsky.social

🚘 Join T&E UK tomorrow at the ‘Houses of Carliament’ from 11am to 3pm at Old Palace Yard, Westminster 🚘 We'll explore the issue of increasing vehicle size - by displaying 3 contrasting vehicles outside Parliament. We'll also show how a Large Vehicle Levy can raise 2 billion for public services 💰

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

Great to be part of this vital enquiry on flood resilience. This was one of my favourite reports I worked on at @thefabians.bsky.social. Climate adaptation (alongside critical action to meet emissions targets) is key to ensuring the most vulnerable are protected from suffering the worst impacts.

Great to see @eloisesacares.bsky.social's latest report, ‘Ill-Prepared’, featured in the Mirror. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

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...

Delighted to see that my recent report ‘Repair, Reuse, Recycle’ was the second most read think tank report in August, according to @smartthinking.bsky.social ‘s monthly newsletter!

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. 🧵

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 In 2022, the UK’s material footprint hit 20.1 tonnes per capital, the highest since 2008, and it’s still rising. How do we turn this around? In ‘Repair, Reuse, Recycle’ @eloisesacares.bsky.social sets it out. 🧵

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...

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

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

The spending review set the direction of travel – now the government must deliver, writes @lukeraikes.bsky.social. fabians.org.uk/turning-the-...

The spending review commits to £4.2 billion to build and maintain defences, which is welcome. But research shows that more than £1.5 billion a year is likely needed to increase flood resilience in England 🧵

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 🏡

“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 write my column this month on how the government must tackle waste and upscale the circular economy ♻️🗑️ More on this to come soon from @thefabians.bsky.social Read the article on @left-foot-forward.bsky.social ⬇️ leftfootforward.org/2025/06/bann...

A breath of fresh air but this research must be taken seriously by the Labour leadership & then skilled ministerial teams freed to manage fundamental changes.

And here's the full report All the hard work by my former colleagues @lukeraikes.bsky.social @eloisesacares.bsky.social @sasjkia.bsky.social and thanks to research funder @financialfairness.bsky.social 6/6 fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Delighted to launch this research paper on how the government can improve living standards over the next 4 years. In particular it’s been absolutely fascinating to lead the research on how living standards policies can be communicated effectively to the public 🧵 Our key recommendations on this ⬇️

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 Next week’s spending review must pass the ‘living standards test’, by ensuring key departments can raise incomes and reduce living costs. Since the financial crisis, the rate of Real Household Disposable Income (RHDI) growth has halved. 🧵

We set out how the government can improve living standards this parliament with a set of policies and Treasury-led taskforce Thanks to co-authors: @andrewharrop.bsky.social @eloisesacares.bsky.social @sasjkia.bsky.social and @financialfairness.bsky.social for funding fabians.org.uk/publication/...

‘Am I better off?’ – at a general election, this is THE question voters will ask New analysis shows living standards declined under the last government This government can do better. We set out how. 👇

Great to see Labour MPs calling for the FCA to stop companies charging people more for insurance if they pay monthly. My report for @thefabians.bsky.social recommended this, saving low-income families nearly £130. www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...

Did you that disability benefits recipients have increased in tandem with reported illness caused or made worse by work? My new @left-foot-forward.bsky.social column argues that, to get more sick people into work, we must ensure there are healthy jobs available. leftfootforward.org/2025/05/to-g...

Fantastic news that the government is going to mandate solar panels on almost all new homes. But they also need to tackle the barriers to solar generation on existing homes. I wrote about this for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social last month 👇 leftfootforward.org/2025/03/fabi...

Coastal towns have been ignored by politicians for too long That's why @thefabians.bsky.social and I have focused on the Sea Wall for nearly 3 years These places are crucial to Labour's re-election in 2029. Read this great piece by @georgeeaton.bsky.social 👇 www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

A new study has found that more homes in the UK than ever are overheating in summer ☀️ We urgently need to adapt our homes to climate change to protect the most vulnerable. Our report ‘Whatever the Weather’ suggests progressive recommendations on how to do this ⬇️ fabians.org.uk/publication/...

It’s great that DWP are taking steps to reduce the overpayments of Carers allowance that have caused many to fall into debt. But there is much more still to do to support unpaid carers. Our report ‘Caring for Carers’ recommended 10 key policy options ⬇️ fabians.org.uk/publication/...

It doesn't make sense to rip out carpets in social homes before a new tenant moves in That's my report for @thefabians.bsky.social's recommended social homes must have floor coverings at the point of let Our survey found 73% in England back this idea www.itv.com/news/2025-04...

"With the right policies, there will be sunny days ahead for scaling up solar energy and cutting our energy bills," writes @eloisesacares.bsky.social from @thefabians.bsky.social

My latest column on why the government must go further on rooftop solar, including mandating solar panels on new-builds 🏡☀️ Read more @left-foot-forward.bsky.social ⬇️

Great to see planning reform will boost growth by 0.4% - the biggest positive impact for a policy without cost. We need a system that enables us to build infrastructure and homes. But we also need to ensure homes are future-proofed and nature is protected. More on this to come from @thefabians

Great to see a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education. This will deliver much of what @thefabians.bsky.social have recommend to improve music and arts education. Music hubs at the heart of this is really important. musiciansunion.org.uk/news/governm...

For the MJ: English devolution is about economic growth and living standards – major priorities for this government… BUT public sector reform is also an important part of the devo agenda... How to the two relate to each other? Short 🧵 www.themj.co.uk/developing-d...

Good to see the government will consult on a contributory and time-limited unemployment insurance, paying at a higher rate. This is something @thefabians.bsky.social has called for. Read the report from @eloisesacares.bsky.social & @andrewharrop.bsky.social here 👇 fabians.org.uk/publication/...

A handy graph on this from mine and @andrewharrop.bsky.social ‘s report ‘In Time of Need’ The UK comes second from last to Hungary, and is far below the OECD average.

Glad to see the government announce a consultation on unemployment insurance. @andrewharrop.bsky.social and I recommended this in our 2023 report In Time of Need, alongside reforms for greater income protection for those suffering from sickness and disability.

An absolute pleasure to lead the discussion for the @youngfabians.bsky.social Book Club on Wednesday with @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social Her book ‘A Purposeful Life’ is a must-read - it’s fascinating yet emotional and down-to-earth, & should inspire all of us to speak up against injustice

Great to see the CCC’s 7th Carbon Budget advocating integrating adaptation into net zero policy. Their recommendations - including considering overheating risk in building upgrades and maximising natural co-benefits - are vital. We suggest these and more in our report ‘Whatever the Weather’ ⬇️

This will require initial investment, but we expect to start seeing savings in the Seventh Carbon Budget period. We think it’ll cost about 0.2% of GDP from now to 2050. This is less than we thought when we last gave advice in 2020.