Economy and public finances A Universal Credit Crunch? How to support just managing families in the Autumn Statement Monday 7 November 2016 Record employment and strong real wage growth against a backdrop of historically low inflation served to boost living standards in 2016, while a big increase in the minimum wage and the reversal of planned cuts to tax credits protected those on modest incomes. But the outlook for pay and employment growth has weakened in the … Continued READ MORE
Welfare Taxing times: Does a new government mean a new tax policy? Wednesday 2 November 2016 Raising the personal allowance and reducing corporation tax were two signature plans of the last parliament, and the new Chancellor has inherited plans to go even further. But with fewer people paying tax, and businesses paying lower rates of tax, is our tax system fit for purpose to fund public services and reduce the deficit? … Continued READ MORE
Living standards City living on the eve of devolution Thursday 20 October 2016 Which cities have seen rising living standards and who has benefited? Major cities across England are about to be given new economic powers and new leadership through democratically-elected Metro Mayors as the latest phase of devolution takes place. But are cities the engines of growth, or the engines of intra-city inequality? What are the big … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Pay day? Tackling Britain’s longstanding low pay problems Tuesday 18 October 2016 Keynote speech from Business Minister Margot James Britain has among the highest proportion of low paid workers in any advanced economy – a record that has barely changed in 20 years. The National Living Wage will transform the countries’ low pay landscape and boost the pay of around six million workers. But will plans to … Continued READ MORE
Economy and public finances One nation divided? The challenge for Britain beyond Brexit Thursday 22 September 2016 The recent referendum exposed huge fractures across Britain that went far deeper than voters’ attitudes towards the EU. From immigration to whether the gains from growth were reaching their community, voters’ concerns stretched well beyond the remit of our relationship with Brussels. With the task of bringing the nation together again falling upon the new … Continued READ MORE
Economy and public finances Living longer and living differently Thursday 8 September 2016 The Intergenerational Commission’s book launch for The 100-Year Life by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott Rising life expectancy across Britain is an achievement to be celebrated. But ensuring our country is fit for the changes in how we live, not just for how long, is a challenging task that government, firms and families all struggle … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Living it up: Strengthening the real Living Wage Wednesday 27 July 2016 The National Living Wage has attracted much attention since its announcement last Summer, but that hasn’t stopped more employers signing up to the real Living Wage, which crucially is rooted in the cost of living facing families. But in this new environment, what is needed to ensure that the Living Wage campaign continues to go … Continued READ MORE
Economy and public finances The implications of Brexit for monetary policy: Martin Weale speech Monday 18 July 2016 Valedictory speech by Monetary Policy Committee member Martin Weale Martin Weale, in his last speech as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee, assessed what can be learned so far about the implications for monetary policy of Britain’s referendum vote to leave the European Union. He discussed, in the light of the experience of a … Continued READ MORE
Living standards· Intergenerational Centre Stagnation Generation? Launch of the Intergenerational Commission Monday 18 July 2016 Britain, like all societies and families, embodies a social contract between the generations – it is how we live our lives and support each other from cradle to grave. But this contract feels increasingly under threat, with young people seeing their wages plummet and home ownership drift out of sight. Are these short term pieces … Continued READ MORE
Labour market The National Living Wage three months on – has Brexit changed the game? Monday 11 July 2016 Since the National Living Wage (NLW) was introduced in April, the wages of millions of low paid workers have seen a significant boost. Many more are expected to benefit as the rate increases over the course of the parliament. But how will the economic uncertainty from the Brexit vote affect the new wage floor? Will … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Resolution Foundation Robotics Conference Monday 4 July 2016 Advances in robotics are already having a major impact on economies and the world of work. But how much change and disruption might a new generation of technological advances bring? Will AI and machine learning prove a spur for businesses and consumers, or will predictions of the end of many jobs materialise? What is the … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Halving the gap: Putting disabled people at the heart of the full employment drive Tuesday 7 June 2016 Speech by Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson The government’s welcome ambition to halve the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people will play a crucial role in meeting its wider economic goal of securing full employment. But people with health problems or a disability remain far less likely to have a job than those … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Finding the right path: Improving career prospects for non-graduates Wednesday 11 May 2016 Public policy is often focused on boosting high-level skills and helping those with the poorest qualifications. But those in between are often overlooked, despite representing over a third of the working age population. How are non-graduates faring in Britain today? What career routes are working, and who is being left behind? How can we break … Continued READ MORE
Welfare Is a Universal Basic Income the future of the welfare state? Monday 9 May 2016 Can the welfare state survive in an ever more competitive global economy? What would a reformed welfare state look like? Could a Universal Basic Income system be a long term solution? Following the global financial crisis deep cuts to welfare budgets have become a default policy response for policymakers around the world. As such, debates … Continued READ MORE
Housing Can we fix it? Solving Britain’s housing crisis Tuesday 26 April 2016 Britain’s housing crisis has been decades in the making, and is finally rising up the political agenda. But is this crisis really just confined to London and the South East, or is it spreading across Britain and other European countries? Which groups are on the receiving end of a lack of affordable housing? And how … Continued READ MORE
Living standards Film screening: The Divide Monday 25 April 2016 How does the gap between the rich and poor affect the lives we live? What is the impact on the rich, as well as the rest? Is anyone really a winner from inequality and what, if anything, should be done to close the gap? These questions will be debated at a screening and Q&A of … Continued READ MORE
Welfare Taxing the top: what history tells us about when and why it happens Wednesday 13 April 2016 UK launch of Taxing the Rich: A History of Fiscal Fairness in the United States and Europe by David Stasavage and Kenneth Scheve When and why do countries choose to tax the rich? How do the lessons of history compare to what is happening in the UK today? Do the richest in society need to … Continued READ MORE
Welfare A huge relief? The case for and against the Chancellor postponing pension reforms Thursday 10 March 2016 After weeks of speculation the Treasury took the unprecedented step of announcing that there would be no changes to pension tax relief in the upcoming Budget. But with an estimated cost of £35bn a year – two thirds of which goes to higher and additional rate taxpayers – is there still a strong need to … Continued READ MORE
Labour market Unfinished Business: securing full employment in the UK Thursday 3 March 2016 The Chancellor has committed to securing full employment, and getting two million more people into work over this parliament. But where could those people come from and is that figure ambitious enough? What constitutes full employment and what can local, city and central governments do to make it a reality? How can employers attract those currently … Continued READ MORE
Living standards Making a reality of Inclusive Growth: a keynote lecture with Nobel Laureate Prof Joseph Stiglitz Wednesday 2 March 2016 The APPG on Inclusive Growth together with the Resolution Foundation presents: Making a reality of Inclusive Growth: a keynote lecture with Nobel Laureate Prof Joseph Stiglitz How do we make a reality of inclusive growth? Where are the points of consensus and contention? Against a backdrop of record employment but weak wage growth, the emerging opportunities … Continued READ MORE
Living standards Scotland and the UK in the EU; a keynote speech by Nicola Sturgeon Monday 29 February 2016 At an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation at St John’s Smith Square in Westminster, the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party delivered a keynote address on the benefits of EU membership for work and living standards. The First Minister took part in a Q&A session with gathered guests. READ MORE
Labour market Ready for the wage floor? Making a success of the National Living Wage Wednesday 24 February 2016 Around 4.5 million employees are set to benefit from the introduction of the new National Living Wage in April – and more will benefit as the rate approaches £9 over the course of the parliament. But how will employers, particularly those in low-paying sectors, respond to the new higher wage floor? Will it spur a … Continued READ MORE
Living standards Living standards war and peace: family incomes in recession and recovery Tuesday 16 February 2016 The launch of Resolution Foundation’s annual living standards audit When will typical household incomes finally return to their pre-crash health, following a long squeeze and a strong bounce back in 2015? With the living standards recovery being felt very differently across the country, who’s gaining most and who’s missing out? How are households on low-to-middle … Continued READ MORE
Monetary policy· Economy and public finances All bound up? Monetary policy in recovery and beyond Thursday 28 January 2016 UK monetary policy is in a remarkable place, with the base rate nearing seven years at its historic low of 0.5 per cent and the Bank of England introducing a range of unconventional measures in order to help deal with the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis. While this must unwind at some point, rates … Continued READ MORE
Labour market State of working Scotland with Roseanna Cunningham MSP Wednesday 20 January 2016 In Edinburgh, the Resolution Foundation launched a major new report into the Scottish labour market and living standards at which Roseanna Cunningham MSP delivered a key note speech. The report focuses on how Scotland weathered the recession and the shape of its recovery, highlighting both the similarities and differences to the experience of other nations and regions of the UK. … Continued READ MORE
