For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍 Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪 We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀 For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️

🏘️"Neighbourhood precincts are often people’s go to spaces... it’s right they are taken as seriously as high streets. We need physical spaces to come together, to regain a lost sense of community." @zoebillingham.bsky.social spoke to The Guardian👇👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

🥇 NORTH OF ENGLAND 2040 🥇 Hosting the Olympics in the North would be a GAME CHANGER for the region. Bringing a boost to investment, job opportunities, and the visitor economy; people would feel its impact in the years to come and the decades following. thegreatnorth.org.uk/news/the-gre...

North of England 2040 - we like the sound of that! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

📗We welcome the Chancellor's efforts in shifting Treasury orthodoxy so that projects in the North can get fair shots. Yet, this is the 3rd change to the Green Book in as many years, the fact it's taking so long shows the depth of this culture in Westminster. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic...

🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis? 🔧 🏗️Government says it’ll build 1.5m homes this parliament. But IPPR North research shows housing challenges differ across regions. We need a place‑led approach, not just more supply. @indiafhg.bsky.social explains why👇

💪 A strong North stands together. 📰In our paper released today, IPPR North says The Great North partnership and government should act collaboratively to establish the north as a great place to invest and ultimately help raise living standards. 👇👇 www.ippr.org/articles/rol...

Reform’s plans to push half a million children into poverty to fund a suite of hospitality tax cuts are indefensible. ✒️ @henryippr.bsky.social spoke to the @bigissue.com 👇 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

🔥IPPR North's @zoebillingham.bsky.social on the perceived 'brain drain' from the North to the South: "There is no need for London as the capital city to be the capital of everything and we’d all be better off for it." www.gbnews.com/news/brain-d...

The North East is a very transient place, we're always hopping over bridges and boundaries. Very welcome transport news to ensure better connectivity for everyone around the region - which is crucial for regional growth www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @heidialexander.bsky.social and Kim McGuiness

📊ONS employment figures for the North East released today paint a stark image of the region - but they don't tell the whole story. @indiafhg.bsky.social, Newcastle-based researcher at IPPR North explains why👇👇

Great to see IPPR North research on disparities in transport spending on the North, London, and the rest of the country showcased on @itvpeston.bsky.social last night. The difference in spending truly is stark. Read the full report here: lnkd.in/etg4w27f

“Even if the productivity growth [of the North] was brought up to the average of the UK, an extra £40billion would be brought into the UK each year… this will more than pay for itself” 🎙️ @zoebillingham.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk this morning, talking all things Northern Powerhouse Rail

🚄A big day for Northern Powerhouse Rail and for the North as the government sets out its commitment to delivering a major infrastructure boost to the region. Director of IPPR North @zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts👇👇

🏆🗺️The North is home to 3/10 of the "best of the best" places to visit in the UK, say Tripadvisor. Now mayoral combined authorities have the power to implement visitor levies, local people can finally benefit directly from this rise in tourism Next year, all 10! tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersCho...

"Unless [Reform] wanted to strip services away from some of the most vulnerable people in the country – and low and modest earners too – this was always the reality." @zoebillingham.bsky.social on Reform councils raising taxes against pledges, for @bigissue.com👇 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Of course, the North of England is host to one of the 'wonders of the world', no surprise here! All the more reason to boost investment in transport across the North so that locals can benefit from the beauty of the region. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

⏳Just two more days to apply to one of the most exciting job openings of 2026! (so far, anyway...) And do get in touch if you have any questions.

📢 JOB ALERT! 📢 If you're a creative, analytical leader and thinker we want YOU. IPPR North are looking for an Associate Director (fixed term) with BIG IDEAS for the future of our regions. Office based in Manchester Closing date: 7th Jan www.ippr.org/jobs/associa...

Did you know that Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit system? The Leeds tram is a great example of intra-regional transport that's critical for connecting communities in the North. But our communities cannot wait any longer... 👇👇 www.reuters.com/world/uk/tra...

📰The Social Mobility Commission’s state of the nation report is out. At IPPR North we're not surprised at its findings. The government must address these disadvantages so the next generations can break out of the doom-loop of regional inequality. 👇👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

New year, new start? Great new job @ipprnorth.bsky.social will be posted this week👀

✅ FACT: Scrapping the two child limit on benefits lifts hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. IPPR North’s @zoebillingham.bsky.social appeared on BBC Politics North West and debunked a common misconception about who the two child benefit limit impacted the most 👇👇👇

📈 This morning, our Director @zoebillingham.bsky.social presented to The Great North Board on securing pan northern investment. ⚽And the brand new Everton stadium was a brilliant location for the board meeting! Pictured below...

🤔 How do YOU feel about the visitor levy announced in last week’s #budget? 🎥 This weekend @zoebillingham.bsky.social sat on the red sofa for BBC Politics North West to explain why IPPR have been supporting this measure. 💪 A levy that local leaders can use for local priorities!

🎉Now the Chancellor has confirmed England's mayors can impose a visitor levy on overnight stays. 💪Local leaders can use this income to invest in local causes. We caught up with Mayor of Greater Manchester @andyburnham.bsky.social last week, who thanked us for our support as we awaited the news!

📣The government has finally signalled who it stands for, protecting working people from the cost of living. At IPPR North we're reacting to today's Budget announcement. @zoebillingham.bsky.social 👇👇

🔔It’s Budget Day!🔔 This Budget will show who the government is working for. We’ll be looking out to see if it passes our three tests: ⚖️ Is it fair, asking more of those with the broadest shoulders? 💷 Does it reduce the cost of living? 📈 Is it pro-growth?

🏆England's Mayors will be given powers to impose an visitor levy on overnight stays, allowing local leaders to invest in local causes. 📈This is a MAJOR step forward for fiscal devolution, and a real win for IPPR North! @zoebillingham.bsky.social gives her reaction👇👇

Devolution is essential for empowering our communities, councillors & mayors - but also our MPs. Read why in my opinion piece for @labourlist.bsky.social✍️ Do you agree? labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...

“Mayors and councillors must be empowered and sufficiently financially supported so that MPs can regain the role of UK legislators. Thoughts? 🤔💭 IPPR North’s @zoebillingham.bsky.social for Labour List 👇 labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...

The government has announced a 'default yes' for home developments near train stations. IPPR North's @indiafhg.bsky.social reacts 👇

Should UK Mayors learn from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social? @zoebillingham.bsky.social says Yes! Read our director's commentary here:

We're hiring!💥 IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy. Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October. www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...

Our Marcus' take on the announced Pride in Place funding

Our final event at Labour conference #LC25 is happening right now with @mayorofwy.bsky.social @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social @rjpartington.bsky.social & our own Marcus Johns & @zoe_billingham. #Labourfringe

So far we've already heard about visitor levies, council tax, transport fares, and the politics of devolution...

And it's a big turnout too! 👀

And we're kicking off with our event ✨ Devolution Revolution✨ with @andyburnham.bsky.social @allymcgovern.bsky.social, @localtrust.org.uk' Rachel Rowney & Big Local's Jack Burkinshaw. Chaired by our @zoebillingham.bsky.social #LC25 #IPPRfringe #devolution

As the “Devo Bill” makes its way through Parliament, it’s very welcome that @labourtogether.bsky.social @jpspencer.bsky.social are calling for it to go further on fiscal devolution, powers over public services & reform to the Lords. static1.squarespace.com/static/64f70...

Today I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of @ipprnorth.bsky.social on a panel chaired by Youth Futures Foundation's Anna Round. Was great to be in Sunderland, with fellow northerners talking about such an important topic....

📺Yesterday our @zoebillingham.bsky.social addressed the devolution bill committee. 👀Scrutiny is vital to the future of devolution. Local and mayoral accounts committees are essential for strengthening accountability and enabling further devolution of power and resources. Watch her here: 👇

And that's a wrap 🌯👀👏 Big thanks to all our panellists! And of course our very own chair Marcus #SMCommission #socialmobility

Our @youthfocusnw.bsky.social reps: "what we consider as relative and absolute poverty is already too high a bar. So many people are in poverty who don't meet these categories, and therefore don't get the help they actually need"

A fab passionate panel 👏 Terri White: "There are families who have been left to sink and nobody cares. We need to humanise this again. Everything should be about poverty prevention - not after we've plugged millions of children already in it." #socialmobility #SMCommission

And we're also hearing from Anna Round from the Youth Futures Foundation: - Talking data outcomes and how we evaluate success and programmes that aim to achieve positive social change. -Political cycles are much shorter than the time it takes to build long term robust policies & frameworks

Great point raised of the failure of the system of expecting young people to reach out and put their voices out + Often these are people who are already in a privileged position to be able to do this. Instead institutions must reach out TO young people, especially those whose voices aren't heard.

We've got two fab young representatives from @youthfocusnw.bsky.social, Erin and Amy. When asked, do you feel young people are being listened to by Whitehall? "The short answer is no, the long answer is not at all"

Professor Katy Shaw discussing culture & devolution, and asking how do we measure change in short mayoral terms? Hot take?: Good examples of #devolution are not being shared.

Ryan Henson of the Social Mobility Commission asking "what's fair for children in the country?", and outlining how poverty in geographical areas has been overlooked by policy makers.