Policy area: Social policy

Reports

Broken ladders

This report from UK think tank EDSK explores why the ‘ladder of opportunity’ is brokenfor so many young people and how to fix it The academic pathway from school up to university is a well-trodden and well-understood route. In contrast, for those young people who do not attend university, the first rungs on the ‘ladder...

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Prohibition 2.0

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Economic Affairs critiques the generational tobacco ban. The UK government is proposing a generational ban on tobacco sales to anyone born after 2008, overturning the fundamental principle that adults should have autonomy over their own bodies. The generational ban will create absurd situations, such as a...

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CPP’s Local Economy Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank The Centre for Progressive Policy explores how people feel about the economic opportunities where they live. CPP’s annual Local Economy Tracker explores how people feel about the economic opportunities where they live, what they think needs to change and which political parties and tiers of government they trust the...

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Getting the measure of transport poverty

This report from UK think the Social Market Foundation looks at understanding and responding to the UK’s hidden crisis. As the single largest cost for millions of households across the UK, understanding the financial burden of transport is critical to decreasing poverty. Yet, unlike for energy or housing, there is no metric in place to...

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Working Nein to Five

This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society looks at what the UK can learn from Germany about work-life balance. Poor work-life balance is bad for our health, bad for the economy and steals time we could spend with loved ones. Yet it is endemic in the UK: nearly half of the workforce said...

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Performance Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government outlines the current state of nine public services and the problems they face. The annual Institute for Government/Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) public services stocktake reveals that the government’s spending plans from April 2025 onwards – which Labour have also committed to...

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Performance Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at public services as the UK approaches a general election. The annual Institute for Government/Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) public services stocktake reveals that the government’s spending plans from April 2025 onwards – which Labour have also committed to – will...

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Raising the roof

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Social Justice offers landlords suggestions as to how they can exhibit excellence in the provision of residential accommodation. Renting privately can and should be a tenure where people feel they can thrive in a good home. Indeed, there are many good landlords and a lot of...

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Plans for power

This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society looks at Fabian ideas for transforming Britain. Think tanks are not political parties. Most of the time we examine policy problems one by one. It is not our role or responsibility to construct comprehensive political programmes. But there are occasions when it is important to take...

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Towards real social security: embedding a long-term approach to universal credit

This report from UK think tank IPPR looks at how we can build a strategic, ambitious and collaborative response to improve our social security system. Our safety net is failing to protect people from being pulled into poverty. Universal credit is simply inadequate to meet day to day living costs. This means despite temporary cost...

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Public attitudes towards the plight of and policies for younger people

This report from UK think tank Bright Blue looks at the current public attitudes concerning how younger people are and should be supported by government. Younger people in this country are disillusioned with the Conservative Government. Only 1% of 18-24-year-olds in the UK intend to vote for the Conservatives in the next election, according to...

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Bare necessities

This report by UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at an improved framework for social tariffs in the UK. The cost of living crisis has left many households struggling to afford essential goods and services. This SMF report explores the case for social tariffs (discounts offered to vulnerable customers), the goods they are...

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Inn-valuable

This report from UK think tank Localis looks at the value of pubs to society and to the economy. Across Britain, pubs have long stood as familiar and welcoming landmarks. Their significance goes beyond mere watering holes; they have consistently played a pivotal role in knitting communities together and promoting social cohesion. Inn-valuable looks at...

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Game changer

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Social Justice looks at the Government's Get Active Strategy. We welcome the ambitions set out in the Government’s recently published Get Active Strategy. However, we now need a clear, strategic national plan delivering on those ambitions—especially for disadvantaged children and young people. This report sets out...

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Out of kilter

This report from UK think tank IPPR looks at how to rebalance our school system to work for people, economy and society. The social contract - that each generation should do better than the previous one - is increasingly under strain. Progress is stalling or even going into reverse, with young people often more likely...

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