Andrew Phillips
@andrewphillips.bsky.social
Policy & Research Manager at the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement. Previously a researcher at Demos and the Institute for Government. Views my own.
https://www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement
https://www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
The Govt is undertaking the Timms review, assessing whether PIP is “fair and fit for the future”.
But what if we could learn lessons from a nation within the UK that had successfully implemented a new adult disability benefit just three years ago? 🤔
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
But what if we could learn lessons from a nation within the UK that had successfully implemented a new adult disability benefit just three years ago? 🤔
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Delivering dignity? • Resolution Foundation
When the Scottish Government introduced the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in 2022 to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it set out to do things differently. [i] Although the two benefits ha...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The Govt is undertaking the Timms review, assessing whether PIP is “fair and fit for the future”.
But what if we could learn lessons from a nation within the UK that had successfully implemented a new adult disability benefit just three years ago? 🤔
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
But what if we could learn lessons from a nation within the UK that had successfully implemented a new adult disability benefit just three years ago? 🤔
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
🚨 NEW BLOG
Labour have won every election in Wales for 100 years, but they are on track to (badly) lose the 2026 Senedd election - why?
@jaclarner.bsky.social and I have looked at new data, which shows how support is shifting within (not between) Wales's blocs!
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
Labour have won every election in Wales for 100 years, but they are on track to (badly) lose the 2026 Senedd election - why?
@jaclarner.bsky.social and I have looked at new data, which shows how support is shifting within (not between) Wales's blocs!
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
Consolidation, Not Conversion: Understanding Wales’s Ongoing Realignment
Showcasing current research, comments and analysis on the law, politics, history, culture, government and political economy of Wales from the Wales Governance Centre.
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🚨 NEW BLOG
Labour have won every election in Wales for 100 years, but they are on track to (badly) lose the 2026 Senedd election - why?
@jaclarner.bsky.social and I have looked at new data, which shows how support is shifting within (not between) Wales's blocs!
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
Labour have won every election in Wales for 100 years, but they are on track to (badly) lose the 2026 Senedd election - why?
@jaclarner.bsky.social and I have looked at new data, which shows how support is shifting within (not between) Wales's blocs!
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/thinking-wal...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
10 nuggets from the new "British General Election of 2024" book, courtesy of @timbale.bsky.social
theconversation.com/the-ten-most...
theconversation.com/the-ten-most...
The ten most surprising facts from the 2024 election revealed
Voters cared a lot less about tax than you might think.
theconversation.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
10 nuggets from the new "British General Election of 2024" book, courtesy of @timbale.bsky.social
theconversation.com/the-ten-most...
theconversation.com/the-ten-most...
Interesting report from the IFS. Disability benefit claims rise when other benefits are cut, as you would expect. The size of the increase is relatively small (lower than I would have predicted). Suggests that high inflation in 2022 would likely have caused more people to claim disability benefits.
NEW: Cuts to non-health-related benefits caused increases in disability benefit claims, our new report finds.
📗 Jonathan Cribb, @heidikarj.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, Sam Ray-Chaudhuri and Tom Waters examine the impact of four cuts to benefits in the 2010s [THREAD:🧵]:
📗 Jonathan Cribb, @heidikarj.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, Sam Ray-Chaudhuri and Tom Waters examine the impact of four cuts to benefits in the 2010s [THREAD:🧵]:
December 12, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Interesting report from the IFS. Disability benefit claims rise when other benefits are cut, as you would expect. The size of the increase is relatively small (lower than I would have predicted). Suggests that high inflation in 2022 would likely have caused more people to claim disability benefits.
New report out today
"Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age"
Higher State Pension age has led to higher employment among people in their 60s.
But there are 250k more people in pre-retirement poverty than in 2010
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age"
Higher State Pension age has led to higher employment among people in their 60s.
But there are 250k more people in pre-retirement poverty than in 2010
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age
As the State Pension age rises to 67, we think the government needs to put in place policies to ensure that as many people as possible have financial security throughout their 60s and beyond.
www.standardlife.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:37 PM
New report out today
"Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age"
Higher State Pension age has led to higher employment among people in their 60s.
But there are 250k more people in pre-retirement poverty than in 2010
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Jam tomorrow? Work, finances and retirement in an era of a rising State Pension age"
Higher State Pension age has led to higher employment among people in their 60s.
But there are 250k more people in pre-retirement poverty than in 2010
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
November 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
😬
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
😬
📣 New research 📣 High competition for skilled workers is a significant risk for the UK's transition to clean heat.
New @aldersgategroup.bsky.social research from WPI Economics uses Lightcast data to examine where the heat pump workforce will come from.
www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications...
New @aldersgategroup.bsky.social research from WPI Economics uses Lightcast data to examine where the heat pump workforce will come from.
www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications...
Workforce planning for clean heat - Aldersgate Group
New labour force research makes policy recommendations to take up significant opportunities to expand the heat pump workforce
www.aldersgategroup.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:48 AM
📣 New research 📣 High competition for skilled workers is a significant risk for the UK's transition to clean heat.
New @aldersgategroup.bsky.social research from WPI Economics uses Lightcast data to examine where the heat pump workforce will come from.
www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications...
New @aldersgategroup.bsky.social research from WPI Economics uses Lightcast data to examine where the heat pump workforce will come from.
www.aldersgategroup.org.uk/publications...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Is gas still the reason GB energy prices are high? New Nesta blog by me.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
Is gas still the reason energy bills are so high?
Despite rising non-commodity costs on energy bills, high gas prices remain the primary reason for expensive energy for most British households, making the switch to homegrown energy a top priority
www.nesta.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Is gas still the reason GB energy prices are high? New Nesta blog by me.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
October 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Extending the journey: Work and careers in an era of a rising State Pension age
Next year, the first group of people will see their State Pension age rise from 66 to 67 – the latest in a series of rises since 2010. Over that time, the employment rate of people in their 60s has in...
events.standardlife.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Enjoyed reading this article on planning for retirement and how it changed during the 20th century. Interesting reflections from people who attended 'pre-retirement education' courses, designed to help people plan and prepare for retirement.
New article (OA): Helen McCarthy @historianhelen.bsky.social on 'Planning for Retirement in Post-war Britain'
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
Planning for Retirement in Post-war Britain*
Abstract. This article explores how Britons envisaged and planned for the end of working life across the second half of the twentieth century. It shows how
academic.oup.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Enjoyed reading this article on planning for retirement and how it changed during the 20th century. Interesting reflections from people who attended 'pre-retirement education' courses, designed to help people plan and prepare for retirement.
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
The justice minister is right to be 'absolutely terrified' of prisons running out of space. As @cassiarowland.bsky.social's report showed last week, prison capacity will be on a knife edge for the next two years unless the govt takes further action to free up space
October 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM
The justice minister is right to be 'absolutely terrified' of prisons running out of space. As @cassiarowland.bsky.social's report showed last week, prison capacity will be on a knife edge for the next two years unless the govt takes further action to free up space
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...
UK Hongkongers rue the rockiness of their ‘lifeboat’ after threatened visa changes
People who fled Chinese territory are angry after London looks at doubling length of time required to gain citizenship
www.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:21 AM
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Extending the journey: Work and careers in an era of a rising State Pension age
Next year, the first group of people will see their State Pension age rise from 66 to 67 – the latest in a series of rises since 2010. Over that time, the employment rate of people in their 60s has in...
events.standardlife.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Extending the journey: Work and careers in an era of a rising State Pension age
Next year, the first group of people will see their State Pension age rise from 66 to 67 – the latest in a series of rises since 2010. Over that time, the employment rate of people in their 60s has in...
events.standardlife.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 11:19 AM
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age?
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey:
events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Why are so many young people not learning or earning?
Sign up for the discussion next week, as we launch our upcoming report on the rising incidence of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) ⤵️ buff.ly/HZ28fWV
Sign up for the discussion next week, as we launch our upcoming report on the rising incidence of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) ⤵️ buff.ly/HZ28fWV
October 17, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Why are so many young people not learning or earning?
Sign up for the discussion next week, as we launch our upcoming report on the rising incidence of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) ⤵️ buff.ly/HZ28fWV
Sign up for the discussion next week, as we launch our upcoming report on the rising incidence of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) ⤵️ buff.ly/HZ28fWV
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Today’s data show that a weakening jobs market is feeding through into pay. Depressing stat of the day: real weekly wages have increased by just £1.50 since Sep 2024. Here is our thread (from me and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social).
October 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Today’s data show that a weakening jobs market is feeding through into pay. Depressing stat of the day: real weekly wages have increased by just £1.50 since Sep 2024. Here is our thread (from me and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social).
New research out today
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
October 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM
New research out today
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
"Retirement Voice 2025: How an era of uncertainty is affecting our attitudes towards retirement"
We used a new 6k survey of the UK population. I had fun designing the charts! Find out how people feel about finances, work and retirement
www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-t...
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
A textbook case of how not to report polls.
'50%? Oh my god!'
'Oh, you mean a 9-point increase'?
'50%? Oh my god!'
'Oh, you mean a 9-point increase'?
September 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A textbook case of how not to report polls.
'50%? Oh my god!'
'Oh, you mean a 9-point increase'?
'50%? Oh my god!'
'Oh, you mean a 9-point increase'?
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
1. Looks like skills is moving to DWP. What might this mean? I assume it's 19+ funding, which these days is the Adult Skills Fund (£1.5bn, 2/3 devolved to mayors) & apprenticeships (£3bn, inc small numbers of 16-19s). All Govt structures create silos. You need to pick least bad & work around them.
September 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
1. Looks like skills is moving to DWP. What might this mean? I assume it's 19+ funding, which these days is the Adult Skills Fund (£1.5bn, 2/3 devolved to mayors) & apprenticeships (£3bn, inc small numbers of 16-19s). All Govt structures create silos. You need to pick least bad & work around them.
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
🚨 New research published today 🚨
Our analysis finds that inactivity is rising and unemployment has not yet peaked.
Learn more 👉 buff.ly/a9SnWhw
Our analysis finds that inactivity is rising and unemployment has not yet peaked.
Learn more 👉 buff.ly/a9SnWhw
August 26, 2025 at 7:15 AM
🚨 New research published today 🚨
Our analysis finds that inactivity is rising and unemployment has not yet peaked.
Learn more 👉 buff.ly/a9SnWhw
Our analysis finds that inactivity is rising and unemployment has not yet peaked.
Learn more 👉 buff.ly/a9SnWhw
Reposted by Andrew Phillips
Today’s labour market statistics show that the jobs market is continuing to loosen, with jobs, vacancies and pay growth all weakening.
Our @resfoundation.bsky.social take, from myself and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social, is below...
Our @resfoundation.bsky.social take, from myself and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social, is below...
August 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Today’s labour market statistics show that the jobs market is continuing to loosen, with jobs, vacancies and pay growth all weakening.
Our @resfoundation.bsky.social take, from myself and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social, is below...
Our @resfoundation.bsky.social take, from myself and @hannahslaughter.bsky.social, is below...
Good piece in the FT which cites our research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement on the demographics of the Industrial Strategy workforce.
The ageing workforce should be central to UK growth ambitions on.ft.com/45jsxXS | opinion
The ageing workforce should be central to UK growth ambitions
The scale and immediacy of demographic change has been overlooked in the industrial strategy
on.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Good piece in the FT which cites our research from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement on the demographics of the Industrial Strategy workforce.