More evidence of mental health problems having real-world impacts on benefit claims and the world of work:

In 2022-2023, more than two-thirds (69%) of UC Work Capability Assessment decisions recorded mental and behavioural disorders.

Lots of policy heavyweights (rightly!) identified here for their influence on Starmer’s thinking - but what an oversight not to identify a single woman among them!

The westminster policy world has moved on from the boys’ club it’s made out to be here

newstatesman.com/politics/labou…

At the Senedd (with 👶🏼) today to discuss Wales’ childcare plans and impact of UK reforms with Bevan Foundation Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

If DWP take a tougher approach to work search requirements for parents based on an expanded u2s offer in England, where does that leave parents in Wales?

Are you an undergraduate interested in working in the think tank sector?

Join us on Wednesday 28 February at 4pm for a webinar covering how to apply for jobs in the sector and what a day in the life of a think tanker looks like!

Sign up here: resolutionfoundation.org/events/working…

📢Today we launch a special edition of IPPR's inhouse journal Progressive Review on modern supply side economics

We feature a lead article by Rachel Reeves on her vision for how 'securonomics' can reinvigorate the British economy in an age of insecurity. But that's not all...

Fascinating paper showing that private renting - and the insecurity implicit in it - is associated with markers of faster biological ageing (& related health consequences).

Interestingly, social renting is no different to outright ownership once other factors are accounted for.

Check out my latest in The Guardian previewing upcoming @ippr work calling for an equivalent to the triple lock for working age benefits. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Our team at IPPR have really valued having a chance to work alongside parents, carers and the wider Changing Realities team on this piece setting out ways to improve our employment support system.

A quick 🧵 on key findings and ideas for change… twitter.com/changing_r/sta…

How much does it cost to be an unpaid carer?
Answer: a lot. Our new analysis find that, on average, workers who begin providing unpaid care to someone who is ill, disabled, or elderly earn nearly £750 less per month 6 years later, compared to what they would have earned otherwise

This is encouraging from Bridget Phillipson — the best evidence that early years education can reduce inequalities comes from the (shrinking) LA maintained sector, where leaders have teacher-level qualifications.

But shifting the dial will rely on more ££

theguardian.com/education/2023…

Thames Water are on the verge of being taken back into public ownership because of their £14bn 'unsustainable' debt - but where did it come from?

I looked at the last 20yrs of accounts and their long-term debt tracks their dividend and net interest payments over the period

🚨Today, one year since launch, IPPR release the first interim report of the Commission on Health and Prosperity

Following people over seven years, we've quantified the severe cost of poor health to their economic lives. And called for a major new Health and Prosperity Act.

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