
Matthew Oakley
Head of Economics & Social Policy, 2011-2013
Matthew now works at Which?, heading up their economic analysis unit. Matthew was Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics & Social Policy from 2011 to 2013, focusing on welfare reform, growth and the UK economy, public sector reform and financial policy. His recent publications include an assessment of the public sector pay premium across the wage distribution; reports outlining the next steps for tackling unemployment and benefit dependency; and a report outlining areas where Government must focus to boost growth in the long-term.

Related Posts & Publications


Zero-hours contracts are a vital path to working
by Matthew Oakley | Aug 6, 2013
Labour MP Tom Watson has tweeted that zero-hours contracts should be outlawed. His party will be hosting a “summit” on the issue in the autumn. Labour clearly views zero hours as a way of showcasing how Government austerity policies have widened the divide between...
The benefit cap is right but it will only ever be a short-term solution
by Matthew Oakley | Jul 16, 2013
Over the last 50 years, Britain’s social security benefit bill has increased by 113 per cent as a proportion of GDP. Costing nearly £3,500 for every man, woman and child in Britain, it is by a long way the single largest area of government expenditure. With this in...
Universal Credit: Good Start, More Needs to be Done
by Matthew Oakley | Apr 29, 2013
The 29 April 2013 marks the day that Britain’s new benefit, the Universal Credit, begins its slow process of piloting and roll out. Commentators who support the changes will focus on the simplification of the welfare system and improvement in work incentives...
Worse-off areas need private sector growth and jobs
by Matthew Oakley | Apr 12, 2013
Sir, Naturally, areas with the highest unemployment levels and reliance on the state will see higher benefit cuts as a result of the welfare reforms currently being implemented (“Prosperity gap widens as welfare cuts hit north hard”, April 11). But the approach of...Support Us
Policy Projects
Policy Areas
- Crime and Justice
- Demography, Immigration and Integration
- Economics and Social Policy
- Education
- Environment and Energy
- Foreign Policy and Security
- Government and Politics
- Health and Social Care
- Housing and Urban Regeneration
- Industrial Strategy
- International Trade
- Security and Extremism
- Space
- Technology
Latest Tweets
LIVE NOW: ‘2034: A Novel of the Next World War’ by Admiral James Stavridis in conversation with General David Petraeus, Chaired by Air Marshal Edward Stringer - @stavridisj @edwardstrngr twitter.com/i/broadc…
RT @ConHome From Robert Ede & Sean Phillips of @Policy_Exchange: The Government faces an election run-up monopolised by reports of NHS waiting times and delays bit.ly/2QaN2U4
RT @Robert_WH_Ede The Government has a packed reform agenda in health and social care. But is it all achievable, as wider political pressure on waiting times and access builds up? @SeanPhillips91 and I have explored whether something might have to give. twitter.com/ConHome/…
RT @PaulGoodmanCH From Stephen Booth of @Policy_Exchange on @ConHome: @CDUMerkel's departure will be @EmmanuelMacron's opportunity – an opening for his dreams of an even closer Union bit.ly/3cWJ6yW
RT @BenMcAleenan This week the G7's finance ministers met to discuss a 'green agenda' for the summit (hosted by UK). Here's @Policy_Exchange's recent paper by me and @bencaldecott, setting out how the UK should use diplomatic summits in 2021 to lead green finance reform: policyexchange.org.u…