
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


Why the Government is right to take on welfare reform
by Matthew Oakley | Apr 3, 2013
The debate around the government’s welfare reforms is set to rage all week. Whatever the arguments for and against, one undisputable fact that is not used enough is that we are currently paying close to £100 billion a year to working age benefit claimants. Such a...
David Cameron needs a more radical remedy for our economic ills
by Matthew Oakley | Mar 7, 2013
As expected, the prime minister used Thursday’s speech on the economy to rebuff calls for more action from both the left and the right. Neither unfunded tax cuts nor more debt-financed public expenditure seem to be on the cards for the budget in a couple of...
Welfare-to-work schemes will continue, despite appeal court ruling
by Matthew Oakley | Feb 13, 2013
Yesterday’s court of appeal ruling on back-to-work schemes has reignited the cry of the welfare lobby that workfare or work for your benefit-type schemes are unfair. The ruling has been seen as a success for continued efforts to stop the Department for Work and...
Child poverty – Government should focus on outcomes as well as incomes
by Matthew Oakley | Feb 8, 2013
Child poverty matters. Few people would argue that the state does not have a role to play in ensuring that children do not grow up in poverty. The dilemma for policy makers is that “child poverty” means different things to different people. Ask the public to picture...Support Us
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