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Economics & Social Policy Blogs
Welfare reform must be based on the principle of ‘something for something’
Matthew Oakley, Head of Economics & Social Policy at Policy Exchange, writes setting out three key principles for welfare reform: building self-sufficiency, conditionality and employment support.
Fighting back against the Left-wing guerrillas
Sean Worth, Head of Policy Exchange’s for Better Public Services Project, argues that critics on the Left who oppose changes to how the public sector operates are infiltrating organisations at a local level to prevent more choice being introduced. He stresses the importance of greater choice for families when it comes to deciding which schools, GPs or other services are best.
Don’t set different parts of the UK against each other
David Skelton, Policy Exchange’s Deputy Director, argues in response to a recent article by Kelvin MacKenzie that narrowing the North/South divide is a priority for long-term prosperity across the whole of the UK. David said this goal should not be cheapened by outdated stereotypes about the North.
The Work Programme – progress but still lots to do
Ed Holmes, Policy Exchange’s Senior Research Fellow for Economics & Social Policy, argues that it is too early to judge the success of the Work Programme at this stage and that there are reasons – such as the focus on sustainable employment – to be optimistic about the Programme.
Why the Government is right to want to improve the poverty target
Policy Exchange’s Director, Neil O’Brien, argues that the government’s announcement to include additional factors to the child poverty target reflects a recommendation set out in 2011 Policy Exchange report Tackling the Causes of Poverty,which suggested replacing the income-based child poverty target with a set of multi-dimensional causal indicators, including unemployment and education.
Policy Exchange wants to hear about problems facing frontline social worker problems
Guy Miscampbell, Policy Exchange’s Economics & Social Policy Research Assistant, sets out plans for upcoming research by Policy Exchange on children’s and adult social work. Those working in social care should get in touch with Guy to ensure the research draws on first-hand experience on the front line.
Is Britain ‘coming apart’ as cultural inequality increases?
Neil O’Brien, Policy Exchange’s Director, discusses cultural inequality, arguing that there are huge changes going on in Britain that the political and media bubble is not aware of.
New sky thinking: The airport debate
David Skelton, Deputy Director of Policy Exchange, argues that the UK needs to increase its aviation capacity to compete with global competitors. David sets out findings from Policy Exchange’s report Bigger & Quieter, which suggests that building four new runways to the west of the current Heathrow site would double its current yearly capacity.
The government should learn from big companies on local pay policy
Matthew Oakley, Head of Economics & Social Policy at Policy Exchange, argues that the government should learn from big companies on local pay policy. Matthew sets out findings from Policy Exchange report Local Pay, Local Growth,which suggests that rebalancing public sector pay and pensions in line with the private sector could save £6.3 billion a year.
Head to Head: Local pay, Local Growth
Ed Holmes, Senior Research Fellow for Economics & Welfare at Policy Exchange, argues that rebalancing public sector pay and pensions so that they are in line with that of equivalent workers in the private sector would save £6.3 billion a year in public spending.
