Fairness Foundation
@fairness.bsky.social
Putting fairness at the heart of public debate and policymaking in the UK.
https://linktr.ee/FairnessFoundation
https://linktr.ee/FairnessFoundation
What we wrote about last month and how others covered the same issues: fiscal fairness, political transparency and tax accountability
December 2025 roundup
Exploring fiscal fairness, political transparency and tax accountability as we wrap up 2025
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 11:08 AM
What we wrote about last month and how others covered the same issues: fiscal fairness, political transparency and tax accountability
Twelve months of fairness: prepare to feel festive?
Twelve months of fairness
Prepare to feel festive?
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Twelve months of fairness: prepare to feel festive?
Yesterday’s Treasury Committee questions, including from @bobbywdean.bsky.social and John Glen MP, highlight important concerns about whether the decision to freeze income tax rates was truly fair.
🔗That's an issue we also explored in our Budget response here: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
🔗That's an issue we also explored in our Budget response here: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
December 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Yesterday’s Treasury Committee questions, including from @bobbywdean.bsky.social and John Glen MP, highlight important concerns about whether the decision to freeze income tax rates was truly fair.
🔗That's an issue we also explored in our Budget response here: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
🔗That's an issue we also explored in our Budget response here: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
📢 Our new report sets out a clear message: a fairer economy demands real fiscal powers for local places.
The Budget's move to devolve tourism-levy powers was welcome, but it's a small down-payment on the long-term vision we need.
🔗Full report: fairnessfoundation.com/a-fair-share
The Budget's move to devolve tourism-levy powers was welcome, but it's a small down-payment on the long-term vision we need.
🔗Full report: fairnessfoundation.com/a-fair-share
December 8, 2025 at 10:41 AM
📢 Our new report sets out a clear message: a fairer economy demands real fiscal powers for local places.
The Budget's move to devolve tourism-levy powers was welcome, but it's a small down-payment on the long-term vision we need.
🔗Full report: fairnessfoundation.com/a-fair-share
The Budget's move to devolve tourism-levy powers was welcome, but it's a small down-payment on the long-term vision we need.
🔗Full report: fairnessfoundation.com/a-fair-share
We’ve teamed up with @transparencyuk.bsky.social to write this joint piece on the case for caps on political donations.
It follows new TIUK polling that shows 84% of people believe wealthy individuals use political donations to advance their personal interests.
Fair politics needs fair limits👇
It follows new TIUK polling that shows 84% of people believe wealthy individuals use political donations to advance their personal interests.
Fair politics needs fair limits👇
For a fair system where politicians are accountable to the public, not just those who bankroll them we need limits on political donations.
‘Fair politics needs fair limits’ – LabourList
What’s the most valuable thing money can buy? Increasingly, people in Britain fear the answer might be democracy itself. For a government elected on a…
labourlist.org
December 7, 2025 at 11:20 AM
We’ve teamed up with @transparencyuk.bsky.social to write this joint piece on the case for caps on political donations.
It follows new TIUK polling that shows 84% of people believe wealthy individuals use political donations to advance their personal interests.
Fair politics needs fair limits👇
It follows new TIUK polling that shows 84% of people believe wealthy individuals use political donations to advance their personal interests.
Fair politics needs fair limits👇
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
For a fair system where politicians are accountable to the public, not just those who bankroll them we need limits on political donations.
‘Fair politics needs fair limits’ – LabourList
What’s the most valuable thing money can buy? Increasingly, people in Britain fear the answer might be democracy itself. For a government elected on a…
labourlist.org
December 6, 2025 at 9:53 AM
For a fair system where politicians are accountable to the public, not just those who bankroll them we need limits on political donations.
Today's publication of the Child Poverty Strategy marks a landmark moment in building a fairer society.
The measures announced today will help arrest the deep unfairness of children growing up locked out of opportunity, while their families struggle to afford the basics. 🧵
The measures announced today will help arrest the deep unfairness of children growing up locked out of opportunity, while their families struggle to afford the basics. 🧵
December 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Today's publication of the Child Poverty Strategy marks a landmark moment in building a fairer society.
The measures announced today will help arrest the deep unfairness of children growing up locked out of opportunity, while their families struggle to afford the basics. 🧵
The measures announced today will help arrest the deep unfairness of children growing up locked out of opportunity, while their families struggle to afford the basics. 🧵
"Who gets to complain about housing policy in this country? Depends where you live, and how much your house is worth." Great analysis from @jonathanliew.bsky.social in @theguardian.com at www.theguardian.com/commentisfre..., linked to our budget commentary at www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
Won’t somebody please think of Britain’s poor £2m homeowners? Oh, wait – everyone already is | Jonathan Liew
Contrast the furious reaction to Rachel Reeves’s ‘mansion tax’ to the response offered to those living with real housing injustice: indifference, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
"Who gets to complain about housing policy in this country? Depends where you live, and how much your house is worth." Great analysis from @jonathanliew.bsky.social in @theguardian.com at www.theguardian.com/commentisfre..., linked to our budget commentary at www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
Resourcing HMRC is incredibly good value: every £1 for tax compliance brings in £23. Private-sector orgs dream about ROI like that.
But some everyday/automated tax enforcement is error-prone, or hits the poorest hardest.
We need to measure tax **enforcement** incidence.
But some everyday/automated tax enforcement is error-prone, or hits the poorest hardest.
We need to measure tax **enforcement** incidence.
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers: both fairness and our public finances depend on it. A guest post by Mike Lewis, Director of @taxwatch.bsky.social www.faircomment.co.uk/p/we-need-hm...
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers
Both fairness and our public finances depend on it (a guest post by Mike Lewis at TaxWatch)
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Resourcing HMRC is incredibly good value: every £1 for tax compliance brings in £23. Private-sector orgs dream about ROI like that.
But some everyday/automated tax enforcement is error-prone, or hits the poorest hardest.
We need to measure tax **enforcement** incidence.
But some everyday/automated tax enforcement is error-prone, or hits the poorest hardest.
We need to measure tax **enforcement** incidence.
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
“If Reeves and Starmer have the political will to abolish the two-child limit, they should be able to muster the same boldness for reforming the tax system”
– Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social on the UK Budget in our latest blog post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
– Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social on the UK Budget in our latest blog post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
UK Budget 2025: Fiscal deficit or democratic deficit?
Expert analysis on the 2025 UK Budget. Reeves avoided important tax reforms, with the wealthy still not paying their fair share (income tax, capital gains, etc)
buff.ly
November 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“If Reeves and Starmer have the political will to abolish the two-child limit, they should be able to muster the same boldness for reforming the tax system”
– Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social on the UK Budget in our latest blog post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
– Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social on the UK Budget in our latest blog post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers: both fairness and our public finances depend on it. A guest post by Mike Lewis, Director of @taxwatch.bsky.social www.faircomment.co.uk/p/we-need-hm...
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers
Both fairness and our public finances depend on it (a guest post by Mike Lewis at TaxWatch)
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 8:58 AM
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers: both fairness and our public finances depend on it. A guest post by Mike Lewis, Director of @taxwatch.bsky.social www.faircomment.co.uk/p/we-need-hm...
📌 Our Budget verdict: Ending the unfair two-child limit on Universal Credit is welcome, but the overall package is a missed opportunity. 🧵
🔗 Full analysis: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
🔗 Full analysis: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
November 28, 2025 at 10:41 AM
📌 Our Budget verdict: Ending the unfair two-child limit on Universal Credit is welcome, but the overall package is a missed opportunity. 🧵
🔗 Full analysis: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
🔗 Full analysis: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/budget-202...
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
Are you happy to let aristocrats and tech billionaires speak for you? If so, you'll love our new report in the Guardian on money, the media, and the House of Lords 👇
‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims
‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims
Equality Trust study shows how House of Lords appointments, big donations and media concentration affects political decision
Structural corruption and the rise of “conduits for unelected power” are reshaping British politics, according to a stark report from the Equality Trust.
Unelected influence has surged over the past two decades, the report claims, driven by the growing political clout of the ultra-rich and the institutions that enable it. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Are you happy to let aristocrats and tech billionaires speak for you? If so, you'll love our new report in the Guardian on money, the media, and the House of Lords 👇
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social assesses the UK Budget:
“Failing to increase capital gains tax rates and leaving the top tax rate on dividends untouched meant that the very rich were let off the hook”.
See more in our latest post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/3FnrGNZ
“Failing to increase capital gains tax rates and leaving the top tax rate on dividends untouched meant that the very rich were let off the hook”.
See more in our latest post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/3FnrGNZ
UK Budget 2025: Fiscal deficit or democratic deficit?
Expert analysis on the 2025 UK Budget. Reeves avoided important tax reforms, with the wealthy still not paying their fair share (income tax, capital gains, etc)
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Will Snell of @fairness.bsky.social assesses the UK Budget:
“Failing to increase capital gains tax rates and leaving the top tax rate on dividends untouched meant that the very rich were let off the hook”.
See more in our latest post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/3FnrGNZ
“Failing to increase capital gains tax rates and leaving the top tax rate on dividends untouched meant that the very rich were let off the hook”.
See more in our latest post #LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/3FnrGNZ
The decision to lift the two-child limit on Universal Credit is the fair choice.
The limit introduced random & unjustifiable unfairness between children in larger families born before and after the policy change.
🔗 Read our previous research on the 2CL here: fairnessfoundation.com/two-child-li...
The limit introduced random & unjustifiable unfairness between children in larger families born before and after the policy change.
🔗 Read our previous research on the 2CL here: fairnessfoundation.com/two-child-li...
November 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The decision to lift the two-child limit on Universal Credit is the fair choice.
The limit introduced random & unjustifiable unfairness between children in larger families born before and after the policy change.
🔗 Read our previous research on the 2CL here: fairnessfoundation.com/two-child-li...
The limit introduced random & unjustifiable unfairness between children in larger families born before and after the policy change.
🔗 Read our previous research on the 2CL here: fairnessfoundation.com/two-child-li...
Is Britain broken? Jack Jeffrey, Senior Researcher at the Fairness Foundation, argues that progress depends on an honest recognition of the problems with Britain's economic model www.faircomment.co.uk/p/is-britain...
Is Britain broken?
Jack Jeffrey, Senior Researcher at the Fairness Foundation, argues that progress depends on an honest recognition of the problems with Britain's economic model
www.faircomment.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Is Britain broken? Jack Jeffrey, Senior Researcher at the Fairness Foundation, argues that progress depends on an honest recognition of the problems with Britain's economic model www.faircomment.co.uk/p/is-britain...
Thanks to Jane Dodds MS for citing our research in a Senedd debate on wealth taxation yesterday 👇
📉The evidence is clear- extreme wealth inequality harms economic growth & undermines living standards.
🤝Next week’s Budget is a chance to address that inequality and build a fairer society for all.
📉The evidence is clear- extreme wealth inequality harms economic growth & undermines living standards.
🤝Next week’s Budget is a chance to address that inequality and build a fairer society for all.
November 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Thanks to Jane Dodds MS for citing our research in a Senedd debate on wealth taxation yesterday 👇
📉The evidence is clear- extreme wealth inequality harms economic growth & undermines living standards.
🤝Next week’s Budget is a chance to address that inequality and build a fairer society for all.
📉The evidence is clear- extreme wealth inequality harms economic growth & undermines living standards.
🤝Next week’s Budget is a chance to address that inequality and build a fairer society for all.
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
👩⚕️👨🚒🤵 Doctors, firefighters, even the super-rich themselves can see it… so why can’t Rachel Reeves?
It’s time to tax the super‑rich & invest in our collective future.
Yesterday, we delivered over 700,000 signatures demanding that the govt delivers #TaxJustice at the budget.
It’s time to tax the super‑rich & invest in our collective future.
Yesterday, we delivered over 700,000 signatures demanding that the govt delivers #TaxJustice at the budget.
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 AM
👩⚕️👨🚒🤵 Doctors, firefighters, even the super-rich themselves can see it… so why can’t Rachel Reeves?
It’s time to tax the super‑rich & invest in our collective future.
Yesterday, we delivered over 700,000 signatures demanding that the govt delivers #TaxJustice at the budget.
It’s time to tax the super‑rich & invest in our collective future.
Yesterday, we delivered over 700,000 signatures demanding that the govt delivers #TaxJustice at the budget.
Do you feel lucky? Why acknowledging our own good fortune would make the world a better place. An article by our founder, Julian Richer: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Do you feel lucky? Why acknowledging our own good fortune would make the world a better place | Julian Richer
I have been fortunate, and I know it. Now I’d like more successful people to admit that meritocracy is a myth, says Julian Richer, founder of Richer Sounds
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Do you feel lucky? Why acknowledging our own good fortune would make the world a better place. An article by our founder, Julian Richer: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
🚨Today, Tax Watch's annual State of Tax Administration report reveals that just 61% say HMRC treated them fairly in 2024.
📉That's well below the proportion of small (76%) and large (87%) businesses who say the same.
Read more here: www.taxwatchuk.org/state-of-tax...
📉That's well below the proportion of small (76%) and large (87%) businesses who say the same.
Read more here: www.taxwatchuk.org/state-of-tax...
State of Tax Administration 2025
The fourth of TaxWatch’s annual data deep-dives into the administration of the UK tax system, covering the 2024-25 tax year. Using published data and extensive figures obtained via Freedom of Informat...
www.taxwatchuk.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:45 AM
🚨Today, Tax Watch's annual State of Tax Administration report reveals that just 61% say HMRC treated them fairly in 2024.
📉That's well below the proportion of small (76%) and large (87%) businesses who say the same.
Read more here: www.taxwatchuk.org/state-of-tax...
📉That's well below the proportion of small (76%) and large (87%) businesses who say the same.
Read more here: www.taxwatchuk.org/state-of-tax...
We’re at Parliament today to support @patmillsuk.bsky.social & the call to tax wealth more than work in next week’s Budget 👇
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We’re at Parliament today to support @patmillsuk.bsky.social & the call to tax wealth more than work in next week’s Budget 👇
⚠️Content warning: Suicide and mental health
📢Our new report, in partnership with @d-liveability.bsky.social, explores how extreme wealth inequality may act as a driver of suicide by undermining the foundations that make life liveable.
Read the full report here: fairnessfoundation.com/unliveable
📢Our new report, in partnership with @d-liveability.bsky.social, explores how extreme wealth inequality may act as a driver of suicide by undermining the foundations that make life liveable.
Read the full report here: fairnessfoundation.com/unliveable
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
⚠️Content warning: Suicide and mental health
📢Our new report, in partnership with @d-liveability.bsky.social, explores how extreme wealth inequality may act as a driver of suicide by undermining the foundations that make life liveable.
Read the full report here: fairnessfoundation.com/unliveable
📢Our new report, in partnership with @d-liveability.bsky.social, explores how extreme wealth inequality may act as a driver of suicide by undermining the foundations that make life liveable.
Read the full report here: fairnessfoundation.com/unliveable
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
Wealth inequality in the UK is higher than it was 30 years ago and far greater than income inequality.
The new Wealth Gap Risk Register from @fairness.bsky.social explains why this matters and how wealth disparities affect every part of society, from housing and health to gender equality.
The new Wealth Gap Risk Register from @fairness.bsky.social explains why this matters and how wealth disparities affect every part of society, from housing and health to gender equality.
❗️Our new research shows how the wealth gap grew by 54% between 2011 & 2021, locking more and more people out of a fair chance to succeed.
📈Our Wealth Gap Risk Register 2025 reveals how this extreme divide holds back economic growth & harms community cohesion.
🔗 fairnessfoundation.com/risks-2025
📈Our Wealth Gap Risk Register 2025 reveals how this extreme divide holds back economic growth & harms community cohesion.
🔗 fairnessfoundation.com/risks-2025
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Wealth inequality in the UK is higher than it was 30 years ago and far greater than income inequality.
The new Wealth Gap Risk Register from @fairness.bsky.social explains why this matters and how wealth disparities affect every part of society, from housing and health to gender equality.
The new Wealth Gap Risk Register from @fairness.bsky.social explains why this matters and how wealth disparities affect every part of society, from housing and health to gender equality.
Reposted by Fairness Foundation
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Proud to have joined over 100 other organisations in calling on the government to lift the unfair two-child limit 👇
We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Proud to have joined over 100 other organisations in calling on the government to lift the unfair two-child limit 👇