iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Grace Hetherington

Mark Byrne @markobroin.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Do you know someone looking for a break into comms and policy? We're recruiting an external affairs intern at @centreforcities.bsky.social. I'm biased obviously but this is a great role. £28,860 pro rata per annum. Please share 👌 www.centreforcities.org/about/career...

centreforcities.org

External Affairs Internship - Centre for Cities

This 4-month long internship is a fantastic opportunity for someone seeking a first step in the world of communications, policy and research. The

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Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

NEW: we’ve published our Nesta proposals for how Andy Burnham should look to cut energy bills. As covered by @guardianheather.bsky.social and Jillian Ambrose in the Guardian here: www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...

theguardian.com

Andy Burnham considers radical shake-up to cut energy bills

Labour leader examining proposals to overhaul gas standing charges and make heat pumps cheaper to run than boilers

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Nicole Sykes @nicolesykes.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

They should have advertised who everyone was playing for, throughout. Popped it under their names everytime they were in the diary room. The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Action to tackle obesity in the 10-Year Health Plan can't come soon enough. @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis outlines that obesity and excess weight cost the UK economy ~£31bn in lost productivity. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

UK’s obesity and overweight epidemic costs £126bn a year, study suggests

Exclusive: Experts say higher figure than past estimates should be wake-up call for ministers to tackle obesity

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Lauren Bowes Byatt @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Excited to see! It's not everyday you help get a policy over the line... Government has adopted healthy food standard - based on a policy developed by Nesta. It'll see food businesses encouraged to get healthier food on our shelves and in our diets. Read more👉https://tinyurl.com/43fnpcm5

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

The Health Secretary has just announced a new policy designed by @nestauk.bsky.social that could cut obesity by a fifth. As the food that surrounds us has got worse over time, obesity rates have crept up. If we work with supermarkets to make food a little bit healthier, we can reverse this trend.

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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

It's weird how giving people more money makes them better off and less likely to be in poverty.

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Want to understand what the 1-metre rule for heat pumps is all about, and what scrapping it means? Colleagues at @nestauk.bsky.social are on hand - check out our latest beautiful explainer:

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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

It's a pretty dismal reflection on our politics that a policy as bad as the two child limit was introduced in the first place and has survived for a decade. Especially once it became clear it was having no impact on family size (which was the only flimsy policy justification).

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Magical thinking latest: that you can have an effective child poverty strategy while leaving the big lever marked 'this lever guarantees child poverty' untouched.

theguardian.com

No 10 delays child poverty strategy with tens of thousands more facing hardship

Exclusive: Flagship policy put back until at least autumn amid fears cost of scrapping two-child limit will outweigh political benefit

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Fiscal nerds rejoice: you can now be the Chancellor (for a day at least) in this very cool* tax tool from Nesta and IFS. Which tax and spend choices would you make? *I have worked in policy for too long

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Matthew Butcher @matthew1butcher.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

We are really excited to be hiring a Head of Media at @neonuk.bsky.social . If you are someone who knows how to land priogressive stories and spokespeople in the media and want to be part of a really great team, please check it out: www.neweconomyorganisers.org/about-jobs/h...

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Kieran Lowe @kieranran.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

A recent Telegraph article has stated that @nestauk.bsky.social would prefer the Government to focus on reformulating food, reducing junk food advertising and shifting price promotions towards healthier foods over the use of weight-loss drugs: bit.ly/3YP1IIW But that’s not quite true ⬇️

telegraph.co.uk

Weight loss drugs are becoming the nanny statist’s worst nightmare

Why would people who support policies that do not work be so resistant to medications that do?

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

More exciting vacancies at Nesta 👇🏼

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Mark Byrne @markobroin.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Hi BlueSky, we're looking for 3 policy comms leads (health, net zero, early years). @nestauk.bsky.social. Very open-minded on background. Drop me a line if you want to chat www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/

nesta.org.uk

Jobs

We are always looking to work with a diverse range of talent. Browse current job vacancies at Nesta and from our partners

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

We buy 88% of our calories from supermarkets, making them critical partners when it comes to improving our diets. Check out @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis which shows which small changes to our weekly shop could, over time, bring down obesity rates.

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Reposted by Grace Hetherington

Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

New analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social reveals official data is significantly underestimating the no of people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds living with excess weight. Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

BMI of 1 million minority ethnic adults in England wrongly classified

Analysis finds government data for Black and Asian adults in England is in error due to outdated guidance

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

theguardian.com

BMI of 1 million minority ethnic adults in England wrongly classified

Analysis finds government data for Black and Asian adults in England is in error due to outdated guidance

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

🥤 The sugar tax has been a huge success, incentivising manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their products. Expanding it to more high-sugar drinks is a sensible next step. Here's @nestauk.bsky.social's take on the impact it could have: blueprint.nesta.org.uk/intervention...

blueprint.nesta.org.uk

Expand the soft drinks industry levy

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), informally known as the ‘sugar tax’, applies a levy to the producers and importers of sugar-sweetened beverages based on the sugar content of the drinks.

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Some fascinating findings in this @ippr.bsky.social report. 🍟🍫People feel the food and drink industry (84%) has greater responsibility for health outcomes than the NHS (79%) 🍏🥕People don't want a ban on unhealthy food, but to de-normalise unhealthy choices

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

👶Why do the early years matter so much for later life? Fascinating (and beautiful) explainer on how our brains develop, how early life experiences can have cascade effects and why it is so important to support every child to have the best start in life. www.nesta.org.uk/feature/why-...

nesta.org.uk

Why do the early years matter so much for later life?

Early brain development, combined with cascading developmental effects, mean experiences in childhood profoundly shape long-term outcomes

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Reposted by Grace Hetherington

Lauren Bowes Byatt @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

I've really loved coming to work at Nesta. Partly because it made me check my ways of working and getting 'stuff' done, after time in govt. Being more creative to problem solving. Our work fast & iterate approach is key... Read more about that below 👇

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

The debate around UPF has driven welcome consumer awareness of the unhealthiness of the food that's marketed and promoted to us everyday. A new report from @nestauk.bsky.social asks: should we regulate UPF? TL;DR - no. Most unhealthy UPF is already captured in existing legislation.

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Are you looking for your next job role? Our current vacancies could be the right fit for you ⤵️ 📊 Group Data Journalist 🗞️ Group Media Officer 📈 Junior Data Engineer 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Head of Nesta Cymru Find out more and apply on our website: www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/

nesta.org.uk

Jobs

We are always looking to work with a diverse range of talent. Browse current job vacancies at Nesta and from our partners

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

With so much pressure on household budgets, what can we do to make healthy food more affordable? Some thoughts from colleagues Jonathan Bone and John Barber in Nesta's latest blog 👇

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The Welsh Senedd has voted to restrict the promotion of unhealthy food items in certain ways in Wales - a positive step towards improving health. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 In our calls for the 2026-2030 Senedd, we set out opportunities to go further to take action and reduce obesity ↪️ bit.ly/3EnXaS9

bbc.in

Junk food ban: The 'unhealthy' foods restricted in Welsh shops

Plans to restrict a list of foods classed as unhealthy in shops are approved by 25 votes to 24.

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Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

🗣️ "At the moment, the risks of the world changing are being borne by disabled people, some of the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society." @katieschmuecker.bsky.social discusses the impact of disability benefit cuts on @channel4news.bsky.social last night. www.channel4.com/news/cuts-ha...

channel4.com

Cuts have ‘huge implications for hardship’ says charity

Katie Schmuecker is from anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Last year we published a blueprint for halving obesity in the UK - drawing upon a huge evidence base & synthesising research to make useful and accurate policy recommendations. Nesta's Kate Tudor reflects on the challenges of balancing rigorous methodology with the need to create real-world impact.

bit.ly

Creating Nesta’s blueprint for halving obesity - learnings from academia and policy

Adapting research methods for policy impact can translate complex data into clear, actionable solutions for policymakers

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Great to be collaborating with my former employer @shareaction.bsky.social! @nestauk.bsky.social is working with ShareAction to drive investor action on health and nutrition. Their latest briefing sets out how investors can engage with out-of-home food outlets to improve health 🍕🌮🌭🧃

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ShareAction @shareaction.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The out of home sector is a driver of poor diets across the world 🍔🥤🍕 Investors must acknowledge the material risks that poor health has on their portfolios. Read our latest briefing for the rationale & tools to drive real change at these companies. shareaction.org/reports/putt...

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Lauren Bowes Byatt @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Lovely post from Ravi, covering lots of our work! Key things: 1️⃣You can't solve obesity by telling ppl to diet more. It doesn't work 2️⃣You need small sustained changes that don't take joy out of food 3️⃣It's not about nannying. No one wants higher taxes to pay for issues that could have been prevented

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Tom Clark @tom-clark.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Want to work in a thinktank? But worried it's only for "usual suspects"? Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Research by @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social has shed a harsh light on Europe's declining life expectancy - and the need for bold public health initiatives. In England, the number of years people live in good health is starkly different across regions. We look at the steps the government could take:

nesta.org.uk

What will it take to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy?

Significant reductions in chronic conditions are essential to halve the gap and support the most deprived areas

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

England has experienced the biggest slowdown in life expectancy in Europe, with poor diet and soaring obesity key factors. Researchers conclude that we need much bolder action from government to protect us from diet-related risks. We @nestauk.bsky.social agree. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

Life expectancy growth stalls across Europe as England sees sharpest decline, say researchers

Poor diet, obesity and inactivity blamed on decline with Norway the only country seeing a rise

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Looking forward to this one. It’s easy to forget in our doom- swamped news environment that good things can, and do, happen! Come and find out how Amsterdam has reversed the trend of rising obesity rates in children👇🏼

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Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

The UK currently has the worst paternity leave offer in Europe. Our latest modelling showed that increasing statutory paternity leave to six weeks at 90 per cent of pay could boost the UK economy per year by £2.6bn in the near term. 📈 Read more: www.politicshome.com/news/article...

politicshome.com

Improving Paternity Leave Provisions Could Boost The Economy By £2.6bn

Expanding the statutory level of paternity leave for fathers could deliver £2.6bn of long-term growth to the UK economy, according to new research.

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

At @nestauk.bsky.social event, @timleunig.bsky.social, chief economist and furlough scheme architect, says many other countries already had furlough schemes before Covid and asks why UK govt departments don’t have international units studying policy success in other countries (many thinktanks do).

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Sobering findings in @foodfoundation.bsky.social's annual report on our food system, including this: Families with children who are on low incomes would need to spend *70%* of their disposable income on food to afford the government-recommended healthy diet 🍎🫑🍝

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Abby Jitendra @abbyabhaya.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Growth alone won't tackle poverty but poverty reduction measures generate growth - like a paternity pay system which helps mums care less and work more. With @centrepropolicy.bsky.social we've estimated the growth impacts could be big. Government should be acting now.

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Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Extremely damning Public Accounts Committee report about the NHS yesterday Very strong language for a committee report: "senior [DHSC & NHSE] officials do not seem to have ideas, or the drive, to match the level of change required" Other highlights 👇 committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...

committees.parliament.uk

Future of the NHS: Health officials out of ideas and remarkably complacent, PAC finds - Committees - UK Parliament

Report finds lack of fresh thinking and decisive action within NHS England and DHSC paired with overly optimistic planning assumptions as financial position continues to worsen.

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Just announced: join us online this spring for our free, lunchtime events 💥 We’ll be in conversation with experts at the forefront of innovation, exploring topics such as parenting interventions, public health and future technologies. Find out what’s coming up and register your attendance ⬇️

nesta.org.uk

Events

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Ravi Gurumurthy @raviguru.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Get your Policy Fix! I'll be writing fortnightly on policy and innovation. First up is how to check whether you are overconfident, and why we should offer free heat pumps to 150,000 installers. Please share, subscribe, and tell me what you think. ravigurumurthy.substack.com/p/the-overco...

ravigurumurthy.substack.com

The overconfidence trap

Plus - why we should give installers free heat pumps

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

What role can weight loss drugs play in reducing obesity across the UK? Ahead of tonight's BBC Panorama, here's @nestauk.bsky.social's explainer blog setting out the impact the drugs are having and other steps needed to reduce the need for them in the first place: www.nesta.org.uk/blog/can-wei...

nesta.org.uk

Can weight loss drugs ‘solve’ obesity?

Are the new generation of weight loss drugs a quick fix or a long term answer?

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Thanks @theguardian.com but I’m not sure *signing up for another email newsletter* is going to help me combat the overwhelming nature of modern life…

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Trying to lose a few pounds this January? You're not alone. @nestauk.bsky.social's latest research found that most of the UK public want to lose weight. And most back government intervention to reduce obesity - from banning junk food ads to taxing sugar and salt. www.nesta.org.uk/blog/the-uk-...

nesta.org.uk

The UK wants to lose weight - and backs government action to make food healthier

Most of the public are concerned about their weight and support interventions that would improve the nation's health.

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

It’s an overused word, but this really is extraordinary. It is not the job of *users* to fact-check the false news alerts delivered to their phone. Slapping an ‘AI generated’ label on inaccurate news alerts is not a solution. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Apple urged to withdraw 'out of control' AI news alerts

Apple has pledged improvements to its news summarising tool, but critics say it is dangerous and needs to be withdrawn.

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

There has been a sharp rise in the number of hospital admissions for vitamin deficiencies in the last 15 years. Combined with the rise in obesity and related conditions, this shows how deeply broken our current food system is. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

Hospital admissions for lack of vitamins soaring in England, NHS figures show

Admissions for vitamin or iron deficiencies up by more than 10% year on year and as much as tenfold on 1998-99

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Check out the trends that could shape 2025. I particularly enjoyed this piece on public diners - seen in 1940s Britain as well as more recently in Peru and Poland. Could they make a comeback to provide healthy, affordable food and tackle the public health crisis? www.nesta.org.uk/feature/futu...

nesta.org.uk

The Minister’s menu: could the government subsidise healthy food through public restaurants?

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Grace Hetherington @gchetherington.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

ICYMI - good overview in @financialtimes.com of food and health policy, the levers available and which are being used. For retailers, it must be about creating an environment where they 'make money from healthier food' as Anna Taylor @foodfoundation.bsky.social says. www.ft.com/content/b503...

ft.com

The junk food crisis harming Britain’s children

As their diets worsen, young people are suffering increasing levels of malnutrition and obesity. Can the UK turn the tide?

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