Incomes Home comforts How do Gen Z’s living standards compare to previous cohorts? UpcomingThursday 25 June 2026 Whether the issue is wealth, work, rising student debt or dwindling chances of home ownership, it’s been well documented that Millennials have faced a more challenging living standards path than many of those who came before them. But what about the generation who came after them? SIGN UP
Growth· Trade Leaving EU behind How Britain lost its trading edge and how to get it back UpcomingMonday 22 June 2026 Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU – a major global economic bloc that it had been part of nearly half a century. Such a decision was always bound to cause significant economic disruption, and it’s far from the only big economic shock we’ve experienced – from pandemics to trade wars and now the AI revolution. While many will spend this anniversary looking backwards, it’s just as important to look forward and consider how we can navigate economic change in the decade ahead. SIGN UP
Monetary policy Money talks Book launch event for Money: The Inside Story by Rupal Patel and Jack Leslie Tuesday 16 June 2026 The Bank of England, as the guardians of Britain’s money, have for the first time written a book about how it makes the world go round – and what happens when it breaks down. In their new book Money: The Inside Story, economists Rupal Patel and Jack Leslie pull back the curtain on how money is supposed to work, what happens when it doesn’t, and where it might be going next. READ MORE
Work Will new technologies make or break our jobs? Book launch for We Are Not Machines by Sarah O’Connor Thursday 4 June 2026 In a groundbreaking new book, prize-winning Financial Times journalist Sarah O’Connor sets out to investigate what is happening on the front lines of technological change. The Resolution Foundation is hosting an event to mark the launch Sarah’s must-read new book. She will be joined by one of the UK’s leading technology experts Professor Cosmina Dorobantu, along with RF Chief Executive Ruth Curtice. READ MORE
Trade How to win a trade war Book launch event with Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown Tuesday 2 June 2026 Trade wars are becoming a feature of the modern global economy and are being tied to actual wars too. Britain has played its part by voting to leave the EU, while President Trump has taken trade disruption to a new level. While it can be hard to identify ‘winners’ from trade wars, it’s easy to identify losses – so having the right strategy is crucial, especially for a mid-sized, open economy like the UK. READ MORE
Work The (im)balance of power Can workers in precarious sectors exert influence over pay and working conditions? Thursday 28 May 2026 Collective bargaining has long been crucial to worker power in Britain. But after decades of union decline, a collective voice is increasingly rare leaving workers to assert themselves individually in the workplace instead. But in reality, many workers in low-paid and precarious sectors such as hospitality, cleaning and warehousing – the focus of new Resolution Foundation research being launched at this event – feel they have little to no influence over the decisions that impact them, including on pay and hours. READ MORE
Social security· Cities and regions The welfare of nations How does social security differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland? Thursday 21 May 2026 Social security has been undergoing a quiet revolution across the UK. While attention has focused on the roll-out of Universal Credit, many other aspects of the benefits system are devolved, allowing governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take different approaches to welfare. We will hear from leading experts on what lessons can be learned for further welfare reform. READ MORE
Growth· Political parties and elections Second half comeback? Resetting Government economic priorities for the remainder of the Parliament Thursday 14 May 2026 The Labour Government has had a bruising start to the Parliament. It is trailing badly in the polls and is expecting a battering in the local, Welsh and Scottish elections in early May. Another relaunch and plan for a comeback in the second half of the Parliament is expected soon. But the parameters of this relaunch are hotly disputed. READ MORE
Work Closer to work How to tackle Britain’s NEETs challenge Tuesday 28 April 2026 width=”560″ height=”315″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Nearly one million 16-24 year olds across the UK today are not in employment, education or training. There are many drivers of the recent rise in NEETs, from the costs of hiring to worrying trends in young people’s mental health. But the UK has long had a higher NEET rate than … Continued READ MORE
Public finances The economic fallout from war in the Middle East Part II The outlook for the economy and public finances Wednesday 22 April 2026 This second event will focus on the wider outlook for the economic and public finances. How much might the war reduce the UK’s growth prospects? What fresh policy support might be needed in the face of a potentially acute and prolonged price shock? How will this affect interest rates and mortgages? READ MORE
Incomes The economic fallout from war in the Middle East Part I Tackling the cost of living crunch Monday 13 April 2026 Although the eventual impact of the escalating war in the Middle East is unknowable, the increase in the price of oil and gas means we already know energy and petrol costs are set to rise. Knock on effects will hit food prices and wider inflation, not to mention the second-round effects on wage negotiations, interest rates, debt-servicing costs and wider economic growth. The Resolution Foundation is hosting a pair of events in April to unpack what the effects of the war are on the UK economy, and how policy makers should respond. READ MORE
Demographics The Great British Baby Bust Should we worry about the UK’s falling birth rate, and can we do anything about it? Wednesday 1 April 2026 All developed countries are grappling with a falling birth rate, and the UK is no different. While the UK’s birth rate has often fluctuated, it has fallen sharply since 2012, and a rebound anytime soon looks unlikely. There are cultural and economic drivers behind the recent shortfall; and the implications will be both immediate and pose challenges well into the future. READ MORE
Housing· Wealth· Macroeconomic policy Stopping dreams coming true Is financial regulation holding back Britons’ aspirations of home ownership? Thursday 26 March 2026 The dream of owning your own home is a powerful life goal for many. Once realised, it comes with better living standards, as well economic security. But many families are failing to get over the barriers to accessing a mortgage – from finding a deposit to passing banks’ affordability tests. Indeed, many would say such regulation has gone too far and it is time for a loosening. READ MORE
Political parties and elections The populist party crashers Book launch event for Why Populists Are Winning and How to Beat Them by Liam Byrne MP Tuesday 24 March 2026 Populism has gained momentum worldwide – one-quarter of Western democracies are now governed by authoritarian populists. In the UK, the traditional mainstream parties now trail in the polls. In last month’s by-election, Labour came third in one of its safest seats, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats failed to secure the 5 per cent needed to get their deposits back. While increased disillusionment is rooted partly in Britain’s long living standards slowdown, the growing voter bases for Reform UK and the Green Party are far from homogeneous. So is this peak populism? Or the populist tipping point? How can mainstream parties address the rise of populism, and what might a populist government in Britain look like? READ MORE
Incomes· Mobility Social immobility scars The persistence of earnings gaps facing graduates from lower-income families Tuesday 24 March 2026 Britain has long seen lower intergenerational social mobility than many of its peers, with those from lower-income backgrounds receiving lower earnings as adults than those from average backgrounds. University is often seen as the ticket out of this social mobility trap, but is this true? Unpacking the factors driving persistent pay penalties for young people based on their background is vital if we’re to lift living standards for those from lower-income backgrounds. READ MORE
Budgets & fiscal events· Public finances Taking the temperature Spring Forecast 2026 and the prospects for borrowing, growth and living standards Wednesday 4 March 2026 The Government came into office promising to tackle policy uncertainty by limiting major fiscal events to one a year. They failed to deliver this last year, but are determined to deliver a ‘policy free’ Spring Forecast next week. Have they achieved this? Or have they been scuppered again by the cost of policy U-turns, public service pressures or major changes in the UK economic – and political – outlook? READ MORE
Budgets & fiscal events· Public finances Where is the UK economy heading? The outlook ahead of the Spring Forecast Thursday 19 February 2026 The Autumn Budget was barely three months ago, but the UK has experienced plenty of economic and political drama since then. In the short time between OBR forecasts, there have been encouraging signs on the public finances and the outlook for inflation. But growth remains sluggish and uncertainty elevated amid rising geopolitical tensions. There are some signs of productivity ‘green shoots’, but the risk is they are indicative of higher unemployment. READ MORE
Working in the think tank sector Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector Wednesday 18 February 2026 Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. Think tanks are research organisations that develop ideas and suggestions for action on a whole range of subjects affecting society. Using research, analysis and commentary, we aim to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and the public. READ MORE
Unsung Britain Unsung Britain Final Conference A portrait of the country's poorer half Tuesday 10 February 2026 The 13 million working-age families across the poorest half of the country, who at various times have been dubbed the ‘squeezed middle’, ‘just about managing families’ and ‘alarm clock Britain’ are widely courted by politicians of all persuasions. No party can win elections without their votes, and the country cannot succeed without their needs being met. And yet they are poorly understood and badly served in the 21sr century so far, which is why we have dubbed them ‘Unsung Britain’. READ MORE
Incomes· Net zero Net zero farming How can we kick-start the net zero transition in farming without making the cost of living crisis worse? Tuesday 3 February 2026 The UK has made good progress towards net zero in recent decades. But the agriculture sector stands out as having made barely any progress. To meet our legally-binding climate targets, agriculture and land use will need to decarbonise seven times quicker this decade than in the past 15 years. Fundamental changes to how we make food and use land will be needed. But decarbonisation in this area is hard and any efforts will need to overcome considerable political and living standards barriers to reform. READ MORE
Social security Fixing the 13-year itch How to make Universal Credit work for the millions of families who claim it Thursday 29 January 2026 The roll out of Universal Credit began way back in April 2013, a process that has been beset by delays, design changes, controversy and criticism from across the political spectrum. But 13 years on, the roll out is almost complete and Universal Credit is here to stay. As we approach this crucial milestone and the Government is undertaking its own internal review of the benefit, now is a good opportunity to take fresh look at UC’s design and structure and ask what operational changes could be made to improve the experience and outcomes for the seven million families claiming UC today. READ MORE
Macroeconomic policy Forks in the Curve: whether and how to respond to monetary policy divergence Speech by external MPC member Megan Greene Friday 23 January 2026 2025 ended with interest rate cuts on both sides of the Atlantic. But the outlook for monetary policy in 2026 varies considerably across the world’s major economies, with the UK, US and Euro area also facing different challenges in terms of price pressures, labour market resilience and current interest rate levels. And while monetary policy is set independently, the decisions of these central banks will have implications for the UK economy. READ MORE
Growth· Investment· Economy 2030 Kicking the can on growth? Assessing Britain’s economic strategy and where it should go next Monday 19 January 2026 The Labour Government came into office 18 months ago promising to kickstart growth – ambition that is sorely needed after nearly two decades of poor economic performance that has left Britain as a stagnation nation. But despite a flurry of pillars, plans and policy initiatives, prospects for growth remain weak. Should the Government be bolder, move faster, change course, or try new avenues? READ MORE
Incomes· Public finances Growing pains? What’s in store for UK politics, economics and living standards in 2026 Thursday 8 January 2026 2025 was a bumper year for growth – in political and economic upheaval rather than GDP. Local elections accelerated Britain’s move from a two to five party system, while economists were treated to three major fiscal events and a full year of speculation surrounding them. The Government will hope the upheaval is dialled down in 2026, while its opponents will aim for the opposite. And what Britain really needs is a return to stronger economic growth to deliver rising living standards. READ MORE
Work Taking better care of our workers How can a Fair Pay Agreement improve conditions for social care staff? Thursday 11 December 2025 Adult social care is a vital public service. But this is not reflected in the pay and job quality on offer for England’s 1.6 million social care workers. Low-pay, zero-hours contracts, and breaches of labour market rules are worryingly widespread, and have contributed to a longstanding recruitment and retention crisis. The Government has rightly sought to address this by setting up a new Adult Social Care Negotiating Body (ASCNB), that brings together workers and employers to draw up a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA). But there are still big questions about how to turn this worthy ambition into deliverable improvements across the sector. READ MORE
