Matt Whittaker

O, blessed revisions: fiscal windfall and what to do with it • Resolution Foundation Resolution Foundation’s Autumn Statement analysis, including: Economic outlook Public finances outlook Taxes and benefits Public services The changing state

I mean... www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...

And sure, with all those arms they'll have an advantage when it comes to sending daily text messages, but will they have the charm to pull off 'cheeky'?

Unlocking creativity: The economic impact of engagement with arts and culture among young people  | PBE Children and young people in the UK are enduring a wellbeing crisis. Our teenagers record the lowest levels of life satisfaction in Europe, and one-in-four of our 19-year-olds has a probable mental di...

The UK’s young people have the lowest wellbeing in Europe. This comes at a huge cost, with too many children feeling persistently unhappy.

Hear from economists, educators, academics & young people on the difference arts programmes make to wellbeing, & how we measure it ⬇️

📆20 November, 4 pm online

Unlocking creativity: the economic impact of engagement with arts and culture among young people | PBE Children and young people in the UK have the lowest wellbeing in Europe. National survey data from 2023 show that about one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 years were likely to have a m...

Our latest report explores how early engagement with arts and culture can play a powerful role in supporting young people’s wellbeing, and assesses the value for money these programmes generate.

pbe.co.uk/publications...

Europa Ineffable on X: "In a recent panel at what looks like Labour conference, Sunder Katwala, wearing an England shirt, appeared to compare the R🦍 GANGS to a football match: "it's a game of two halves" 🥴 https://t.co/b5YNKyaQtu" / X In a recent panel at what looks like Labour conference, Sunder Katwala, wearing an England shirt, appeared to compare the R🦍 GANGS to a football match

A very worrying escalation of online harassment.

Somebody has used a video of me saying "racism in football is a game of two halves" + put a fake voiceover on it saying "what I would say to the girls of Rotherham is it is a game of two halves"

x.com/EuropaIneffa...

Senior Research Fellow, IPPR North | IPPR The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society.

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-...

It's ALWAYS Finland with the data

Chart shows net replacement rates in unemployment for a single homeowner with no children. Title states: "Unemployment benefits in the UK are low compared to OECD countries, and contributory benefits are no higher than means-tested benefits."

NEW: The UK social security system offers relatively little income protection after job loss.

THREAD on Martin Mikloš and @xiaoweixu.bsky.social's IFS Green Budget chapter on the options for introducing ‘unemployment insurance’:

Better evidence, better outcomes: The business case for a Civil Society Evidence Organisation | PBE Civil society is one of the UK’s greatest assets. It is driven by innovation, rooted in communities, and committed to tackling some of the nation’s most complex challenges, but it faces barriers that ...

Civil society is one of the UK’s greatest assets, but it needs a Civil Society Evidence Organisation (CSEVO): a hub to access evidence, cut duplication & support smarter decisions.

We have a plan: £2.5m over 5 yrs, co-funded by government and the sector.

Read the report: pbe.co.uk/publications...

Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves a safe space  | PBE Charlie* was looking for somewhere they could explore their emerging identity and feel supported as they considered socially transitioning – that is, beginning to live and be recognised in everyday li...

Free2Talk offers something vital for LGBTQ+ young people: a safe, identity-affirming space to belong.

@karol122.bsky.social and @charlotteprothero.bsky.social share Charlie’s story, and the value of the programme which could deliver £4 of wellbeing benefit for every £1 spent.

Read it here 👇

Prioritising wellbeing: A strategic imperative for balanced business outcomes | PBE By Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing, Hays UK&I In today’s rapidly evolving work landscape, the question isn’t whether wellbeing should be part of corporate strategy – it’s why any forward-thinking b...

The evidence is overwhelming: prioritising wellbeing drives measurable benefits for employees, shareholders, customers, and wider society.

In her latest article for our ‘Economics to improve lives’ series, Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing at Hays UK&I says wellbeing is a business imperative.

I'm not sure re the recordings, so will check..

And agree re the networking. As we grow and develop the network over time we'll want to do some in person events too.

Wellbeing for the next generation: lessons from Sure Start and beyond | PBE By Lord David Blunkett I was recently asked in an interview what I thought was the “good life”, which rather threw me. What is a “good life” for one person might be an absolute nightmare for another. ...

What is “the good life”?

Lord Blunkett argues it’s not just about money: dignity, purpose, community & a fair start in life all matter.

His article in the #EconToImproveLives series makes the case for investing in young people’s wellbeing, from early years to employment.

pbe.co.uk/insights/wel...

Yeah, the timeline can be pretty long sometimes. But if you've got the worst of the pain out of the way early on, told a good story about it all, and can point to things moving in the right direction, then the power of the incumbent means there's a decent chance the 'next' government is also you

Unpopular *in the short to medium term*, right? Voters might need reminding when the payoff comes, but it will come. That's why, when handed an unexpectedly large majority, a government should be rubbing its hands together and saying "oh boy, now we get to do the unpopular but good stuff"

📣Calling analysts working in and around the social sector. Come join the next @pbe.co.uk Social Sector Economists Network meeting and explore new work on perinatal depression and on the size of the UK’s impact economy 📣

2 October | 10:00–11:30 | Online
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7b825d...

Wellbeing valuation workshop request | PBE If you are interested in attending the workshop, please complete the form below. We will get in touch after reviewing your request to let you know if we can help.

Online training for analysts on using HM Treasury’s wellbeing guidance

In partnership with State of Life and LSE, the workshop will give you the tools to use wellbeing measurement in business cases, appraisals and evaluations.

4.5 hour workshops across 21 & 23 Oct

Apply to attend👇

Wellbeing boost from disability benefits outweighs cost - Understanding Society Wellbeing boost from disability benefits worth £12,300 per person New case study shows wellbeing boost from disability benefits worth £12,300 per person

New case study! Charity @pbe.co.uk used our data to show that the £28 billion annual bill for disability benefits creates £42bn in positive effects

I wonder if that bee has ever encountered a larger comedian

(In the physical sense, that is. The odds are firmly against it having met one with a bigger presence).

Typically thoughtful - and thought provoking - stuff from @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social on the urgent need to understand how AI disruption is playing out across society (for better and worse) and then respond accordingly. Another great contribution to the @pbe.co.uk 'Economics to improve lives' series

Economic progress in the age of AI | PBE By Diane Coyle If you spend less than four hours and 20 minutes a day online, you are below average for the UK. Using apps and online services, many of them free, is part of the fabric of daily life…

"Without suitable measures of organisations’ adoption of AI, policymakers will be unable to shape this powerful technology in ways that benefit society as a whole." - @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social's in her new article for #EconToImproveLives

pbe.co.uk/insights/eco...

The brilliant 808 State tonight

Here's a slightly crazy diagram illustrating today's major Cabinet reshuffle

You're welcome

Sticky prices and sh*tty platforms • Resolution Foundation Hi all, Set your calendars for late November — and no, not just Radiohead’s first tour in seven years. It’s Rachel Reeves’s second Budget (see our chart of the week for more). Reeves is under pressure...

A Radiohead and Resolution Foundation crossover? Yes please! Great Top of the Charts from @ruthcurtice.bsky.social and team. Would love to see footage of the editorial meeting that rejected options like High and Dry, Reckoner & Electioneering though www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/stic...

"Powerpoint Plant" was right there

Throw in access to the swimming pool and regular ice cream drops from Jack and it starts to sound positively utopian

Scrap two-child benefit cap to help lift 4m people out of poverty, government urged Exclusive: Cross-party Poverty Strategy Commission says abolishing limit would be part of its ‘once in a generation’ plan

Out tomorrow: our expert, cross-party Poverty Strategy Commission report. We propose a new social contract & plan to lift 4.2 million people out of poverty, incl 2.2 million stranded in deep poverty. Thanks @patrickjbutler.bsky.social for the insightful write up www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Funnily enough, after you'd left Sue said something along the lines of "can we keep him?" which, taken out of context, is pretty kidnappy

Fascinating paper exploring the economic impact of populist leaders coming to power. Lots in here but two key things for me:
1. Over 15 years GDP/capita decreases by 10%; with
2. No discernible change to inequality over same period.

Paper: iacmr.org/wp-content/u...

HT @justinwolfers.bsky.social

Have fun everyone! Looking forward to see what you do with our data! Big shout to @jamesdgriffiths.bsky.social and Stuart Perrett for all of their great work on this too!