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Mike Brewer

@mikebrewerecon.bsky.social
5.6K followers 1.3K following 283 posts

Deputy Chief Executive Resolution Foundation, CPAG Trustee & Visiting Prof in Practice at LSE Social Policy. 'Calm, Measured, Withering' tinyurl.com/y6wxlxhj). 'Cool, calm analysis' (More or Less, 8/10/25). He/him

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Nick Gray @path-dependent.bsky.social · 22h
This would make it about the same as Middlesbrough www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
London Labour council warns it may raise council tax by 150%
Hammersmith and Fulham says it faces ‘biggest financial challenge in living memory’ as government cuts bite
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 22h
For those of you not yet subscribed to RF's Top of the Charts, here's yesterday's. We cover artificial lawyers, generational health drift, the end of grandmothers (maybe), and the growing impact of the criminally under-discussed benefit cap. www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/lock...
resolutionfoundation.org
Lock, stock and two missing grandmas • Resolution Foundation
Morning all, This week, we got a step closer to the end of the triple lock – the State Pension should keep pace with earnings growth, but good riddance to the ratchet! Keep an eye out for fresh analys...
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Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · 30/09/2026
NEW: The Prime Minister’s commitment to social care reform is clear. After he yesterday pledged a National Care Service that is free at the point of use, @camille-oung.bsky.social looks at what “personal care” means and calls for clarity on terminology. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/wh...
nuffieldtrust.org.uk
What does the Prime Minister mean by a National Care Service?
The Prime Minister’s commitment to reforming social care has become emphatically clear again this week. After he pledged a National Care Service that is free at the point of use, Camille Oung looks at...
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Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is your semi-regular reminder that pensioner poverty: a) is real b) is significantly less prevalent than working-age poverty and half the rate of child poverty, and c) is such that a pensioner is statistically more likely to live in a household worth over £1 million than to live in poverty
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It’s a mark of the corruption of our whole way of thinking about the world that trying to meet a planetary emergency is routinely described as “ideological”, while continuing to accelerate it is presented as “pragmatic” and “economic”.
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Alex Clegg @alexclegg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our report from June explains how the replacement for the triple lock will work (we called it a 'smoothed' triple lock). It's a much better policy than the current triple lock - State Pension is protected from inflation spikes and tracks earnings long term, but the expensive ratchet is removed.
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Joël Reland @jreland.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What's that Andy? You want to look at the different options for the UK's relationship with the EU? If only someone had set them out already... ukandeu.ac.uk/introducing-...
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 23/09/2026
The UK's two main taxes on housing – Council Tax and Stamp Duty – are grossly unfair and economically harmful. How can we tax residential property better? Join the discussion tomorrow⤵️ buff.ly/j8wVML0
Britain’s big repair job
Fixing our broken taxes on housing
Thursday 24 September 2026
9:30 am - 10:45 am
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Stephen Hunsaker @hunsaker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Local Housing Allowance, the cap on housing support that helps 1.9 million low-income private renting families, has been frozen since April 2024. Rents haven't. The gap between rents and support hits a record this October. Our new spotlight shows why the Budget should end the freeze 🧵
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
There's always a tax story.... (At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings)
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Louise Murphy @louisemurphy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
DWP has just published a flurry of new data on how PIP and UC-Health assessments are carried out (face-to-face or via phone, video or paper) and whether this impacts who gets awarded health-related benefits. Five takeaways 🧵
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Jo Hutchinson @jojohutchinson.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
<TAPS THE SIGN> <AGAIN> if the government wants fewer young people out of work on disability benefits with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, it will have to provide actual meaningful NHS care for them, not just in theory, but in practice. Not just guidelines, but commissioned services in every ICB.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 10/09/2026
🏠 Local Housing Allowance is back in the headlines off the back of Conservative Party plans to cut it by a further £4 billion. But what is the reality of housing support today? 🏠
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 10/09/2026
The defence versus welfare debate was back in PMQs this week. Over the summer, we took a closer look at how this trade-off is being misrepresented, and why it's important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around⤵️ buff.ly/AI2XDyg
resolutionfoundation.substack.com
Defence versus welfare – the trade-off is being misrepresented
Ruth Curtice takes a closer look at the 'defence versus welfare spending' debate, and explains why it's important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around.
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Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
In or close by Sheffield on 7th October? If so, join me as I try to come up with something half-way coherent on the problems & possibilities for UK social policy research on poverty & social security for @sheffielduni.bsky.social Annual Social Policy Lecture www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-soc...
eventbrite.com
Annual Social Policy Lecture
Join us for our Annual Social Policy Lecture with Professor Ruth Patrick, University of Glasgow
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Surprising this story isn't getting more coverage...
portsmouth.co.uk
Protestors confuse Pakistan cricket team for migrants after gathering at hotel
Misinformation caused groups of people to gather at The Marriott Hotel
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I read (almost) all in draft - all really good. Take 15 substacks from insightful thinkers and put them between 2 covers.
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Perhaps you are wondering what to make of Chancellor John Healey's speech this morning? Well, wonder no more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/john... Tl;DR - there was no need for a brand new theory, and we are getting a small taste of what delivering on it means, compared to Starmer.
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
John Healey’s speech: continuity is no crime | Institute for Government
The summer’s Reeves to Healey switch was more continuity than change.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 04/09/2026
This week, @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social is at the helm of Top of the charts, and he's asking who’s afraid of the big band bond vigilantes. Read now for the latest on bland bots, treacherous transitions, and whether it pays, or hurts, to be a manly man ⬇️ buff.ly/3hR0VdV
Chart showinf longer-term UK government bond (gilt) yields
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 02/09/2026
Many countries in the OECD raise more tax as (a proportion of GDP) than the UK did in 2025-26... ... but NONE achieved this with a lower compulsory payment wedge for an average worker. Read 'Thin end of the wedge' here 📉 buff.ly/UGrO4bY
chart showing Compulsory payment wedge for a single earner on that country’s wage for an average worker (horizontal axis) and tax revenues as a proportion of GDP (vertical axis): OECD, 2024 and 2025
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 01/09/2026
⏰ Coming up this week! Some local areas will be much more affected by the net zero transition than others. Join @kirstysnp.bsky.social, @melanieonnmp.bsky.social, @jamessmithrf.bsky.social & @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social to discuss two areas at the heart of this change. Register ⤵️ buff.ly/h14rcWO
Re-industrialising the North?
Net zeroing in on Aberdeen and Grimsby
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Stephen Hunsaker @hunsaker.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I have a new report out today with @simonpittaway.bsky.social on Britain's productivity revival – which is real, if it you measure it properly. And it isn’t being driven by the economy shedding low-paid jobs. 🧵
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The government's own literal pensions minister also called for the abolition of the triple lock in a past life. Why is this seen as a gotcha?
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
This looks like another one for the #devowatch Team. You cannot both want meaningful devolution and abhor postcode lotteries. Discuss.
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Anna Clarke @annaclarke.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Nothing in planning legislation can make a non-viable pub viable. It'll likely just mean a closed and vacant pub sits empty for years, or decades, instead of being reused as housing or something else. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Changing pubs into offices or homes to be made harder under new rules
The rules will come into force on Monday along with other changes to planning policy.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 12/08/2026
Solo working, not just screen time, has driven the surge in time young adults spend alone. More people are solo working throughout the day when compared with a decade ago.
Proportion of 18-69-year-olds doing paid work and non-paid work activities alone, by time of day: UK
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 11/08/2026
Estimates suggest over 21,000 social care workers were underpaid the minimum wage in 2024. The true figure is likely higher still once we account for the unpaid travel time which often brings home carers’ average pay below the minimum wage. Read more 👉 buff.ly/87cXtSI
Bar chart showing share of workers on the National Living Wage underpaid by sector in the UK (2024), with education highest (~55%) and social care highlighted at 22% — about 21,300 care workers underpaid.
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
There may be other reasons to give pubs a tax break, but it's hard to see how taxing some businesses more and other businesses less can be a cost of living policy change.
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Everything you need to know about buses
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Who gains from a VAT cut on electricity? The lower-income 40% of households get about a third of the foregone revenue.
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Cutting VAT on electricity will provide a welcome reduction in the bill that has been at the heart of the cost of living crisis. But it will not provide significant support for those most exposed to rising gas prices this winter.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 17/07/2026
Best laid plans.... For 23 of the 31 fiscal events since its founding, the OBR has projected the Government’s current budget to be in balance by the end of each five-year forecast period. But reality has almost never lived up to expectations @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social explores👇️ buff.ly/Tm63uDh
Chart showing successive OBR forecasts of the current budget balance as a percentage of GDP outturn: UK
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Ruth Curtice @ruthcurtice.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Ahead of Reeves delivering what most people assume will be her final Mansion House speech we’ve been looking at the data on how the economic picture has changed over the past two years. What is Reeves’ legacy?
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 12/07/2026
The Resolution Foundation is hiring! We are looking for an exceptional individual with a passion for improving living standards and the skills to lead a world-class research and policy organisation, to become a Director. Application pack available here ⤵️ buff.ly/xcFddMf
We're hiring - Director - To develop and deliver organisational strategy and lead 
research and policy programme
Apply by 08:59 on Friday 14 August 
£90,000 + dependent on experience
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High Pay Centre @highpaycentre.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It is with great regret that we are announcing the imminent closure of the High Pay Centre.
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LSE Inequalities @lseinequalities.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Our new working paper with @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social lays out the foundations for an extreme wealth line 📉 It examines the harms that excess wealth causes to people, societies, economies, democracies and the planet. @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social, @michaelvaughan.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/h8nKk6t
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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
"Starmer said: “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to." I am basically the least fun person ever in the history of the world, but wouldn't it be cool to show football matches in places that don't sell alcohol? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
Keir Starmer to allow pubs to stay open until 5am for England v Mexico match
PM says ‘whole country will be backing the team’ for 1am game, as licensing hours extended after fierce backlash
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
I'm stepping down to a new role in the autumn to try to get a bit more "life" in the "work - life balance" thing, so there's a vacancy to do my job: overseeing the research and policy output of RF. What a fab job for someone.
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Parth Pandya @parthpandya.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
We @lalithatry.bsky.social @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social @charliemccurdy.bsky.social @jamietg.bsky.social have published a report (funded by @cpc-cg.bsky.social) on today’s under-30s’ living standards & what policymakers should do. www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications... 👇 🧵with key findings.
resolutionfoundation.org
They’re coming home • Resolution Foundation
Given Britain’s resurgent ‘NEET’ problem, a rise of living with parents, and intensified political debate on the prospects of young people, this briefing note provides an assessment of the living stan...
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Fairness Foundation @fairness.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Wealth, power and fairness: in conversation with @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social - the @resolutionfoundation.org Deputy Chief Executive on why the absolute size of wealth gaps matters as much as the relative ones, what extreme wealth does to power, and much more...
faircomment.co.uk
Wealth, power and fairness: in conversation with Mike Brewer
The Resolution Foundation's Deputy Chief Executive on why the absolute size of wealth gaps matters as much as the relative ones, what extreme wealth does to power, and much more...
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Anyone who can lower the temperature next week gets my support as PM , FWIW.
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Can't believe everyone has forgotten our "Summer olympic medals per GDP" table... www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/fewe...
resolutionfoundation.org
Fewer days vs fewer hours, the importance of watercoolers, and the true Olympic Champions • Resolution Foundation
Morning all, Well, from a living standards perspective, this week’s economic data has been confusing. Slower wage growth doesn’t sound great for workers, but it’s probably a good thing if it lets the ...
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Sarah Wood @sarahwood.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
I had no idea men played soccer, too! Good for them! Go boy soccer!! ⚽️
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Ruth Curtice @ruthcurtice.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
As debates rage about where to get the money for higher defence spending, it’s important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around. Thread 🧵⤵️
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 12/06/2026
In our latest substack, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social takes a closer look at the 'defence versus welfare spending' debate, and explains why it's important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around⤵️
buff.ly
Defence versus welfare – the trade-off is being misrepresented
Ruth Curtice takes a closer look at the 'defence versus welfare spending' debate, and explains why it's important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around.
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Mike Brewer @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Me doing Top of the Charts again, and no it's not ALL about the triple lock.
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Ruth Curtice @ruthcurtice.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
🧵It’s time to stop being polite about the triple lock! It was always a poorly designed, unfair, arbitrary ratchet and we can no longer afford it. New @resolutionfoundation.org spotlight out this morning🧵 www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
resolutionfoundation.org
What a ratchet! • Resolution Foundation
The State Pension triple lock has delivered real gains for pensioners since its introduction in 2012. But the case for boosting pensioner incomes over and above others has now run out, while the case ...
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Soumaya Keynes @soumayakeynes.ft.com · 01/06/2026
Guess who’s in London and excited for our talks this week at the Resolution Foundation (tomorrow) and the LSE (Thursday)?!!?? PS the ukulele may or may not be making an appearance tomorrow - but only in person so you should DEFINITELY brave the tube strike
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
This is a really important piece of work (h/t for pointing me to it @mikebrewerecon.bsky.social)
nuffieldfoundation.org
‘I love it, but I hate it’ - Young people's experiences and expectations of growing up digital - Nuffield Foundation
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