iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 07/08/2026

Is welfare spending ''out of control''? It's estimated to be 11.1 per cent of GDP this financial year. That's just 1.1 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen by 0.9 per cent of GDP since 2012-13 ⤵️

chart showing Social security spending as a proportion of GDP, by category: GB

33321

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐏𝐀 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 Excellence in social policy research and impact has been recognised by the 2026 Social Policy Association awards. The list of winners is available in the next posts. Full story here: social-policy.org.uk/awards/socia...

social-policy.org.uk

Social Policy Research and Impact Celebrated at 2026 SPA Awards - Social Policy Association

Excellence in social policy research and impact has been recognised by the 2026 Social Policy Association awards. The list of winners for each category and [...]

142

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 08/07/2026

Some good news on regional equality: employment gaps have shrunk. Over the 2010s, the gap between low-employment (10th percentile) and high-employment (90th percentile) areas shrank by 3 percentage points. More👇 buff.ly/I7DTRZo

032

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

WISERD @wiserd-research.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Starting #WISERD2026 with our #newresearcher session in collaboration with the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences and the Learned Society of Wales. Thank you to the first of our keynote speakers, Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, for concluding remarks.

023

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Nuffield Foundation @nuffieldfoundation.org · 08/07/2026

What happens when AI removes the tasks young people used to learn from? Yesterday our Director of Education, Josh Hillman, spoke to the Education Committee about how while AI may be making some entry-level work more productive, we need to pay attention to what young people could be losing.

221

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Professor Lisa Scullion @lisa-scullion.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Are you a family member, partner or spouse of someone who served in the UK Armed Forces? Have you interacted with MoD welfare services for veterans? Please give your views in our new survey: salfordshs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

salfordshs.qualtrics.com

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

175

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 25/05/2026

🚨Applications close this week🚨 We're recruiting for three exciting permanent roles within our Research and Policy team, at different levels of experience. Find our more and apply now ➡️ buff.ly/N4Xuj8b

Economist / Research and Policy Analyst

We are looking for a thoughtful and committed Economist or Research and Policy Analyst to join our research team to help drive the production of high-quality, innovative economic analysis, and to support the development of associated policy recommendations.

Salary: £45,170 – £56,990

Senior Economist / Research and Policy Analyst

The Resolution Foundation is looking for a motivated and experienced individual to join our research team to help drive the production of high quality, innovative economic analysis and the development of associated policy recommendations with a specific focus on one of: living standards and distributional analysis; productivity and economic growth; or public finances and public spending.

Salary: £56,990 – £70,300

Closing date: 08:59am on Thursday 28 May 2026

Principal Economist / Research and Policy Analyst

The Resolution Foundation is looking for a motivated and experienced Principal Economist or Research and Policy Analyst to drive the production of high quality, innovative economic analysis and the development of associated policy recommendations with a specific focus on economic growth and productivity.

Salary: £70,300 – £82,900

Closing date: 08:59am on Thursday 28 May 2026

028

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 12/05/2026

🚨 We're hiring!🚨 📈 We're looking for a thoughtful and committed Principal Economist/Policy Analyst with a specific focus on economic growth and productivity.📈 Find out more ➡️ buff.ly/N4Xuj8b

011

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 06/05/2026

Many young people are struggling to gain a foothold in the labour market. Among young people who are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) 60% have never worked. Entering adulthood without work experience limits opportunities to build skills, confidence & earnings potential.

Chart showing proportion of NEETs (left) and all young people (right) who have never had a paid job by age group: UK

097

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 02/05/2026

🚨We're hiring🚨 We're recruiting for three exciting permanent roles within our Research and Policy team, at different levels of experience. Find our more and apply now ➡️ buff.ly/N4Xuj8b

022

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

The Social Policy Association Employment Policy Group held a book panel event this week hosted by the Resolution Foundation and chaired by Nye Cominetti. The panel was composed of authors of several new books on employment and welfare policy in the UK and internationally.

071

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 29/04/2026

What could plausibly explain some of the rise in the NEET rate since the pandemic? Employment has fallen in low-paying, youth-heavy sectors which saw relatively large labour cost increases last year. Read our latest report examining the UK's rising NEET rate➡️ buff.ly/gABGpwv

Figure 5 shows two sets of correlations at
the sector level. In the left panel, we show the relationship between increases in labour costs resulting from the employer NICs and National Living Wage increases last year and changes in employment over the past year; in the right panel, we show the relationship between the share of jobs held by young people and changes in employment over the
past year.

It is clear that there are correlations between these factors at the sector level: sectors that have shrunk the most are, in general, those which had the largest increases in labour costs, and those sectors are particularly youth-heavy.

194

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

📣 Last chance to book 📣 This free event about the latest research on employment policy in Britiain and beyond is happening in London tomorrow! ⬇️

012

Dr Sioned Pearce @sionedps.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Next Wednesday 29 April in London I'm discussing my new book on youth unemployment and devolution along with six other authors. The event is free, hosted at the Resolution Foundation and is organised by the SPA Employment Policy Group. Sign-up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-and-w...

eventbrite.co.uk

Work and welfare: employment policy in Britain and beyond

What's happening to employment policy in Britain and beyond?

053

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝? SPA Employment Policy Group Resolution Foundation Office, London Wednesday, 29 April, 2:30pm-5pm Attendance free: register via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-and-w...

eventbrite.co.uk

Work and welfare: employment policy in Britain and beyond

What's happening to employment policy in Britain and beyond?

032

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Meet our expert panel: @sionedps.bsky.social, Lecturer in Social Policy at @cusocsci.bsky.social, completes our panel who will discuss what the 4 nations can learn from each other after 27 years of different approaches to issues around child poverty in our webinar. acss.civiplus.net/civicrm/even...

032

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Meet our expert panel: @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social, Professor in Social and Public Policy (Urban Studies & Social Policy) at @glasgow.ac.uk, will also share her insights into how the 4 UK nations have dealt with the policy challenges of child poverty. Register➡️ acss.civiplus.net/civicrm/even...

111

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Meet our expert panel: Dr Jed Meers, Senior Lecturer at York Law School @york.ac.uk, will also be joining our expert panel to discuss different approaches to social security for parents with dependent children, asking what the four nations can learn from each other. acss.civiplus.net/civicrm/even...

111

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Meet our expert panel: Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, Senior Lecturer at @ulsteruni.bsky.social and the Social Justice Institute, will also be joining our webinar on 28 April which has been organised with the @safetynetujc.bsky.social funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org. ➡️ acss.civiplus.net/civicrm/even...

131

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Meet our panel: @haylesben.bsky.social, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy & Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change at Uni of Edinburgh, will be joining our webinar exploring how the 4 UK nations have dealt with the policy challenges of child poverty. ➡️ acss.civiplus.net/civicrm/even...

111

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

📣The Social Policy Association’s Opportunity Grants programme for Spring 2026 is now open for applications! 💷Grants <£1K and £5K available to suppport social policy events and initiatives. 📅Deadline: Monday, 4th May 2026. social-policy.org.uk/opportunity-...

social-policy.org.uk

Opportunity Grants - Social Policy Association

Social Policy Association Opportunity Grants Please find information below about the Social Policy Association’s Opportunity Grants programme for Spring 2026. Deadline for applications: 4 May [...]

045

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 11/04/2026

The establishment of the Fair Work Agency is an important step towards better enforcement of employment rights. How can the Government ensure its success? ⤵️

Compliance with existing labour market rules is patchy; an estimated 445,000 jobs were paid below the minimum wage in 2025, while 1.4 million workers in 2023-24 reported not receiving a payslip.

A new single body to tackle these labour market abuses will enable a more coordinated approach. And from next year, it will also enforce sick and holiday pay.

But this is only a first step. To make the FWA a success, the Government must go further on three outstanding issues.

Funding of the bodies the FWA is replacing has flatlined in recent years.

The announcement that FWA funding will be increased is welcome, but the Government should commit to keeping this under review to ensure it reflects what the agency needs to do its job effectively.

he FWA will have some additional powers, including bringing proceedings to a tribunal on behalf of workers.

But there will be no change to the scale of financal penalties, which are currently too low to be an effective deterrent.

The Government should couple its compliance support for businesses with higher financial penalties for firms that still do not comply. And receipts from this could also help to offset the cost to the public purse of any increase in enforcement funding.

Migrant workers who approach a labour market enforcement body currently risk having their details shared with the Home Office.

To ensure these more vulnerable workers feel comfortable raising non-compliance, the FWA should establish a data firewall with immigration enforcement.

This will both protect migrant workers, and give the agency a more accurate picture of labour market violations.

082

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 10/04/2026

Even as employment rights are becoming stronger, non-compliance with existing rights remains a concern. Hundreds of thousands of workers do not benefit from the basic rights they are owed. Read more about how the new Fair Work Agency can address this➡️ buff.ly/2cPqeAG

Figure 1 shows estimates of three types of labour market violation that we can assess using survey data, which suggest that hundreds of thousands of workers are not benefiting from the rights that they are owed. An estimated 445,000 jobs were paid less than the minimum wage in 2025 (22 per cent of those covered by it), up from 382,000 a year earlier. In addition, new analysis based on the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) suggests that as many as 2.2 million jobs do not come with any annual leave.

075

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 09/04/2026

Creating the Fair Work Agency is a welcome milestone; but other enforcement challenges remain. There will be no change to the scale of financial penalties, which are currently too low to be an effective deterrent. In fact, almost half of minimum wage cases are self-corrected so incur no penalty.

Figure 4 shows, almost half (47 per cent) of arrears identified in 2024-25 were ‘self-corrected’ and so attracted no financial penalty at all.[8] Labour market enforcement orders and undertakings are also used very rarely: in 2024-25, there were only 25 open LMEUs, and no LMEOs had been used since 2022-23.

045

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

That's Devolved @thatsdevolved.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Glad this is getting some real research behind it. Anecdotally I've noticed that outlets are a little better at adding 'in England' in print but remain awful in formats where it's harder to call them out. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/a...

theguardian.com

Voters in Wales failed by inaccurate UK media reports on devolved issues, study finds

Reports on English policies seen in Wales as relating to whole of UK contribute to widespread confusion, researchers say

1248

Dr Sioned Pearce @sionedps.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

⭐New webinar⭐ As part of the Campaign for Social Science’s 2026 series on devolution our expert panel will explore how the UK nations’ four governments have dealt with the policy challenges of child poverty: Register now➡️ lnkd.in/epKZeEKr

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

100

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

WISERD @wiserd-research.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Delighted to be hosting the #FoundationalEconomy Alliance Cymru Annual Conference 2026 here in #sbarclspark today. Starting us off are Derek Walker @futuregencymru.bsky.social, Neil James from Deep End Cymru and Cleide Correia from Merthyr Cynon Foodbank discussing #foodinsecurity #MakeADifference

FEA Cymru Annual Conference 2026 taking place in SPARK

Neil James, Cleide Correia, Derek Walker

012

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Social Policy Association @socialpolicyuk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

SPA Chair, Prof Ann Marie Gray is taking part in this event on how the four UK nations are approaching health policy:

032

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Enrico Reuter @enricoreuter.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Great to see this published: a truly insightful article on Labour’s employment policies since July 2024. Make sure to keep an eye out for more policy areas from this special issue on Labour and social policy.

041

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 25/01/2026

Applications for our Research Training Programme 2026 are now open. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic graduates are invited to apply for a 12-week training programme based in our Westminster office and paid at the London Living Wage. Details here 👉 buff.ly/nHoxxJM

Research Training Programme 2026
12-week training programme
February - April 2026
Westminster

Applications are invited from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic graduates

Apply by: 08:59 am
Friday 30 January 2026

Full details can be found on the Opportunities page of the Resolution Foundation website

036

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 26/11/2025

The scrapping of the two-child limit is a much-needed change to turn the tide on child poverty. It is also the most cost-effective way of lifting children out of poverty.

12611

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Rod Hick @rodhick.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Some reflections from me on today's Autumn Budget statement open.substack.com/pub/rodhick/...

open.substack.com

Good riddance to the two-child limit!

Reflections on Autumn Budget 2025

032

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Big Issue @bigissue.com · 27/10/2025

The Renters' Rights Bill is set to receive royal assent and become law. Generation Rent's Dan Wilson Craw explains how it happened.

bigissue.com

Inside the 10-year battle to change the law and help renters feel secure in their homes

0189

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Changing Realities @changingrealities.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊

184

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Katie Schmuecker @katieschmuecker.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Wrote this on yesterday’s inflation figures and why universal credit should be based on the amount we actually need to get by ⬇️

062

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

With Charlie Mayfield’s Get Britain Working Review imminent, all eyes are on the UK's working-age health challenge.  In this blog, Jes Phillips explores how policy can be improved through understanding real life experiences of work and health ⬇️ bit.ly/4oCgwFf

'To make the world of work truly inclusive, we need to understand what enables people to stay in work and thrive in different contexts.' Jes Phillips, Programme and Policy Officer for the Commission for Healthier Working Lives at the Health Foundation

022

Dr Sioned Pearce @sionedps.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

While the Safety Nets team continue to unpick the importance of devolution for social security and the lives of people across the UK, our latest blog discusses devolved processes as more than economic strategies and the potential risk of tying devolution to economic growth:

regionalstudies.org

The growth gamble: Do we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England? - RSA Main

Earlier in 2025, the UK government announced a commitment to reduce spending on disability benefits by restructuring entitlements and eligibility to various health-related benefits. It claims through ...

100

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Big Issue @bigissue.com · 02/10/2025

Gloria Odhi, a participant of Changing Realities, shared her story with the Scottish first minister with the hope of inspiring change.

bigissue.com

I couldn't afford to fix my broken bed. People in poverty like me need help with the essentials

073

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent @citadvicecbg.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent’s (CACBG) Research and Campaigns team have published a report which looks at the impact sanctions to welfare benefits have on people and families. Find out more here citizensadvicecbg.org.uk/news/report-....

citizensadvicecbg.org.uk

The impact sanctions have on welfare benefit recipients

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent’s (CACBG) Research and Campaigns team have published a report which looks at the impact sanctions to welfare benefits have on people and families.

021

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent @citadvicecbg.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Have you read our report on the impact sanctions have on welfare benefit recipients? Our Research and Campaigns team have published a report which looks at the direct impact sanctions to welfare benefits have on people and families. You can read both reports here ow.ly/vu0C50V2BAy

ow.ly

The impact sanctions have on welfare benefit recipients

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent’s (CACBG) Research and Campaigns team have published a report which looks at the impact sanctions to welfare benefits have on people and families.

022

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

Ben Baumberg Geiger @benbgeiger.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Are out-of-work benefit claims at a record high? My new post open.substack.com/pub/inequali... , and also my take on More or Less this morning at www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

open.substack.com

Are out-of-work benefit claims at a record high?

The official statistics are wildly misleading - I've now made some new estimates that show just how wrong they are

59244

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

WISERD @wiserd-research.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Gall #datganoli a #chymdeithassifil helpu i greu gwrth-naratif ar gyfer #ceiswyr lloches – Blogbost newydd WISERD gan @sionedps.bsky.social a Nivedita Narayan @prifysgolcdydd.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/3K2hxrd

111

Reposted by Dr Sioned Pearce

WISERD @wiserd-research.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

#Devolution and #civilsociety could help to create a counter-narrative for #sanctuaryseekers – A new WISERD blog post by @sionedps.bsky.social and Nivedita Narayan @cardiffuni.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/3VXvpW8

111

Dr Sioned Pearce @sionedps.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The committee recommends extending the period people are given to look for work from four weeks to three months.. to take a trauma informed and person centred approach amongst other things….

130