Grace Hetherington
@gchetherington.bsky.social
Communications Lead for Nesta's Healthy Life mission - helping people live longer, healthier lives. Interested in health, food and social policy.
South London via West Yorkshire. Views mine.
South London via West Yorkshire. Views mine.
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
They should have advertised who everyone was playing for, throughout. Popped it under their names everytime they were in the diary room.
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
I mean the BBC should do a nominal donation to all the charities tbf #CelebrityTraitors
November 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
They should have advertised who everyone was playing for, throughout. Popped it under their names everytime they were in the diary room.
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
EVENT
Will the 10 Year Health Plan shift the dial on prevention?
Join the discussion with Nesta's Hugo Harper, @katfoodjenner.bsky.social @jimdickson.bsky.social @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social @davidjbuck.bsky.social tomorrow lunchtime.
www.nesta.org.uk/event/10-yea...
Will the 10 Year Health Plan shift the dial on prevention?
Join the discussion with Nesta's Hugo Harper, @katfoodjenner.bsky.social @jimdickson.bsky.social @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social @davidjbuck.bsky.social tomorrow lunchtime.
www.nesta.org.uk/event/10-yea...
10-Year Health Plan: will it shift the dial on preventing ill health?
We’ll discuss how the 10-Year Health Plan could help put a spotlight on prevention, and what the measures within it might deliver.
www.nesta.org.uk
July 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM
EVENT
Will the 10 Year Health Plan shift the dial on prevention?
Join the discussion with Nesta's Hugo Harper, @katfoodjenner.bsky.social @jimdickson.bsky.social @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social @davidjbuck.bsky.social tomorrow lunchtime.
www.nesta.org.uk/event/10-yea...
Will the 10 Year Health Plan shift the dial on prevention?
Join the discussion with Nesta's Hugo Harper, @katfoodjenner.bsky.social @jimdickson.bsky.social @laurenbowesbyatt.bsky.social @davidjbuck.bsky.social tomorrow lunchtime.
www.nesta.org.uk/event/10-yea...
Action to tackle obesity in the 10-Year Health Plan can't come soon enough.
@nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis outlines that obesity and excess weight cost the UK economy ~£31bn in lost productivity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis outlines that obesity and excess weight cost the UK economy ~£31bn in lost productivity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
July 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Action to tackle obesity in the 10-Year Health Plan can't come soon enough.
@nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis outlines that obesity and excess weight cost the UK economy ~£31bn in lost productivity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis outlines that obesity and excess weight cost the UK economy ~£31bn in lost productivity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
Excited to see! It's not everyday you help get a policy over the line...
Government has adopted healthy food standard - based on a policy developed by Nesta. It'll see food businesses encouraged to get healthier food on our shelves and in our diets.
Read more👉https://tinyurl.com/43fnpcm5
Government has adopted healthy food standard - based on a policy developed by Nesta. It'll see food businesses encouraged to get healthier food on our shelves and in our diets.
Read more👉https://tinyurl.com/43fnpcm5
Great to see @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social announce a new healthy food standard.
Nesta first set out this policy in 2024 and we are very pleased to welcome it today.
Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social with @rachelsylvester.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Nesta first set out this policy in 2024 and we are very pleased to welcome it today.
Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social with @rachelsylvester.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Supermarkets to get healthy eating targets under governme...
Wes Streeting says retailers can help nudge people in right direction and drive ‘transformational’ change
observer.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Excited to see! It's not everyday you help get a policy over the line...
Government has adopted healthy food standard - based on a policy developed by Nesta. It'll see food businesses encouraged to get healthier food on our shelves and in our diets.
Read more👉https://tinyurl.com/43fnpcm5
Government has adopted healthy food standard - based on a policy developed by Nesta. It'll see food businesses encouraged to get healthier food on our shelves and in our diets.
Read more👉https://tinyurl.com/43fnpcm5
The Health Secretary has just announced a new policy designed by @nestauk.bsky.social that could cut obesity by a fifth.
As the food that surrounds us has got worse over time, obesity rates have crept up.
If we work with supermarkets to make food a little bit healthier, we can reverse this trend.
As the food that surrounds us has got worse over time, obesity rates have crept up.
If we work with supermarkets to make food a little bit healthier, we can reverse this trend.
Great to see @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social announce a new healthy food standard.
Nesta first set out this policy in 2024 and we are very pleased to welcome it today.
Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social with @rachelsylvester.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Nesta first set out this policy in 2024 and we are very pleased to welcome it today.
Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social with @rachelsylvester.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Supermarkets to get healthy eating targets under governme...
Wes Streeting says retailers can help nudge people in right direction and drive ‘transformational’ change
observer.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The Health Secretary has just announced a new policy designed by @nestauk.bsky.social that could cut obesity by a fifth.
As the food that surrounds us has got worse over time, obesity rates have crept up.
If we work with supermarkets to make food a little bit healthier, we can reverse this trend.
As the food that surrounds us has got worse over time, obesity rates have crept up.
If we work with supermarkets to make food a little bit healthier, we can reverse this trend.
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
It's weird how giving people more money makes them better off and less likely to be in poverty.
A favourite stat in my new report: there was no household income gap between children and pensioners in the early 2000s, but by 2023 it was over £5,000 – and it's projected to get bigger www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
June 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
It's weird how giving people more money makes them better off and less likely to be in poverty.
Want to understand what the 1-metre rule for heat pumps is all about, and what scrapping it means?
Colleagues at @nestauk.bsky.social are on hand - check out our latest beautiful explainer:
Colleagues at @nestauk.bsky.social are on hand - check out our latest beautiful explainer:
Today, the 1 metre ruling requiring a minimum of 1 metre between a heat pump & property boundaries has been lifted for homes in England, meaning thousands of homeowners can make the first step to getting one.
🔖 Our new explainer outlines the planning process for getting a heat pump: bit.ly/4mAIDo0
🔖 Our new explainer outlines the planning process for getting a heat pump: bit.ly/4mAIDo0
May 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Want to understand what the 1-metre rule for heat pumps is all about, and what scrapping it means?
Colleagues at @nestauk.bsky.social are on hand - check out our latest beautiful explainer:
Colleagues at @nestauk.bsky.social are on hand - check out our latest beautiful explainer:
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
It's a pretty dismal reflection on our politics that a policy as bad as the two child limit was introduced in the first place and has survived for a decade.
Especially once it became clear it was having no impact on family size (which was the only flimsy policy justification).
Especially once it became clear it was having no impact on family size (which was the only flimsy policy justification).
Good piece by @stephenkb.bsky.social . Reversing the winter fuel allowance cut is pure politics but scrapping the two child benefit cap is actually about the merits of the policy on.ft.com/4kz4GJN
Britain’s two-child benefit cap must go
The government should recognise that it has a stake in its people having enough children
on.ft.com
May 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
It's a pretty dismal reflection on our politics that a policy as bad as the two child limit was introduced in the first place and has survived for a decade.
Especially once it became clear it was having no impact on family size (which was the only flimsy policy justification).
Especially once it became clear it was having no impact on family size (which was the only flimsy policy justification).
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
Magical thinking latest: that you can have an effective child poverty strategy while leaving the big lever marked 'this lever guarantees child poverty' untouched.
No 10 delays child poverty strategy with tens of thousands more facing hardship
Exclusive: Flagship policy put back until at least autumn amid fears cost of scrapping two-child limit will outweigh political benefit
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Magical thinking latest: that you can have an effective child poverty strategy while leaving the big lever marked 'this lever guarantees child poverty' untouched.
Fiscal nerds rejoice: you can now be the Chancellor (for a day at least) in this very cool* tax tool from Nesta and IFS.
Which tax and spend choices would you make?
*I have worked in policy for too long
Which tax and spend choices would you make?
*I have worked in policy for too long
Tough choices face the government in the upcoming spending review.
Now updated, the Be the Chancellor tax tool by Nesta & @theifs.bsky.social invites you to set tax + spending to see how different choices affect the government balance sheet.
Now updated, the Be the Chancellor tax tool by Nesta & @theifs.bsky.social invites you to set tax + spending to see how different choices affect the government balance sheet.
Be the Chancellor
Our interactive tool lets you be the Chancellor. Set your tax and spending plans for the next five years and see how your choices affect the government balance sheet
www.nesta.org.uk
May 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Fiscal nerds rejoice: you can now be the Chancellor (for a day at least) in this very cool* tax tool from Nesta and IFS.
Which tax and spend choices would you make?
*I have worked in policy for too long
Which tax and spend choices would you make?
*I have worked in policy for too long
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
We are really excited to be hiring a Head of Media at @neonuk.bsky.social . If you are someone who knows how to land priogressive stories and spokespeople in the media and want to be part of a really great team, please check it out: www.neweconomyorganisers.org/about-jobs/h...
May 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
We are really excited to be hiring a Head of Media at @neonuk.bsky.social . If you are someone who knows how to land priogressive stories and spokespeople in the media and want to be part of a really great team, please check it out: www.neweconomyorganisers.org/about-jobs/h...
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
A recent Telegraph article has stated that @nestauk.bsky.social would prefer the Government to focus on reformulating food, reducing junk food advertising and shifting price promotions towards healthier foods over the use of weight-loss drugs: bit.ly/3YP1IIW
But that’s not quite true ⬇️
But that’s not quite true ⬇️
Weight loss drugs are becoming the nanny statist’s worst nightmare
Why would people who support policies that do not work be so resistant to medications that do?
www.telegraph.co.uk
May 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A recent Telegraph article has stated that @nestauk.bsky.social would prefer the Government to focus on reformulating food, reducing junk food advertising and shifting price promotions towards healthier foods over the use of weight-loss drugs: bit.ly/3YP1IIW
But that’s not quite true ⬇️
But that’s not quite true ⬇️
More exciting vacancies at Nesta 👇🏼
Hi BlueSky, we're looking for 3 policy comms leads (health, net zero, early years). @nestauk.bsky.social. Very open-minded on background. Drop me a line if you want to chat www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
Jobs
We are always looking to work with a diverse range of talent. Browse current job vacancies at Nesta and from our partners
www.nesta.org.uk
May 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
More exciting vacancies at Nesta 👇🏼
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
Hi BlueSky, we're looking for 3 policy comms leads (health, net zero, early years). @nestauk.bsky.social. Very open-minded on background. Drop me a line if you want to chat www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
Jobs
We are always looking to work with a diverse range of talent. Browse current job vacancies at Nesta and from our partners
www.nesta.org.uk
May 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Hi BlueSky, we're looking for 3 policy comms leads (health, net zero, early years). @nestauk.bsky.social. Very open-minded on background. Drop me a line if you want to chat www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
We buy 88% of our calories from supermarkets, making them critical partners when it comes to improving our diets.
Check out @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis which shows which small changes to our weekly shop could, over time, bring down obesity rates.
Check out @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis which shows which small changes to our weekly shop could, over time, bring down obesity rates.
Around two-thirds of all adults in the UK are living with excess weight and obesity. But small changes to our diets can make a big difference to obesity rates at a population level.
We analysed food purchasing habits to show what small changes to the food we buy might look like. bit.ly/3YxsIwk
We analysed food purchasing habits to show what small changes to the food we buy might look like. bit.ly/3YxsIwk
May 7, 2025 at 9:23 AM
We buy 88% of our calories from supermarkets, making them critical partners when it comes to improving our diets.
Check out @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis which shows which small changes to our weekly shop could, over time, bring down obesity rates.
Check out @nestauk.bsky.social's latest analysis which shows which small changes to our weekly shop could, over time, bring down obesity rates.
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
New analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social reveals official data is significantly underestimating the no of people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds living with excess weight.
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
May 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
New analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social reveals official data is significantly underestimating the no of people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds living with excess weight.
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
New analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social reveals official data is significantly underestimating the no of people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds living with excess weight.
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
May 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
New analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social reveals official data is significantly underestimating the no of people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds living with excess weight.
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Any government serious about tackling health inequalities needs a plan to reduce obesity.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
🥤 The sugar tax has been a huge success, incentivising manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their products.
Expanding it to more high-sugar drinks is a sensible next step. Here's @nestauk.bsky.social's take on the impact it could have:
blueprint.nesta.org.uk/intervention...
Expanding it to more high-sugar drinks is a sensible next step. Here's @nestauk.bsky.social's take on the impact it could have:
blueprint.nesta.org.uk/intervention...
April 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM
🥤 The sugar tax has been a huge success, incentivising manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their products.
Expanding it to more high-sugar drinks is a sensible next step. Here's @nestauk.bsky.social's take on the impact it could have:
blueprint.nesta.org.uk/intervention...
Expanding it to more high-sugar drinks is a sensible next step. Here's @nestauk.bsky.social's take on the impact it could have:
blueprint.nesta.org.uk/intervention...
Some fascinating findings in this @ippr.bsky.social report.
🍟🍫People feel the food and drink industry (84%) has greater responsibility for health outcomes than the NHS (79%)
🍏🥕People don't want a ban on unhealthy food, but to de-normalise unhealthy choices
🍟🍫People feel the food and drink industry (84%) has greater responsibility for health outcomes than the NHS (79%)
🍏🥕People don't want a ban on unhealthy food, but to de-normalise unhealthy choices
❤️🩹 | NEW REPORT: Voters want bold action on health – and don’t see it as 'nanny statism'. Our new research with Public First shows that smarter public health policy isn’t just good for the nation – it could be a vote-winner too.
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
April 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Some fascinating findings in this @ippr.bsky.social report.
🍟🍫People feel the food and drink industry (84%) has greater responsibility for health outcomes than the NHS (79%)
🍏🥕People don't want a ban on unhealthy food, but to de-normalise unhealthy choices
🍟🍫People feel the food and drink industry (84%) has greater responsibility for health outcomes than the NHS (79%)
🍏🥕People don't want a ban on unhealthy food, but to de-normalise unhealthy choices
👶Why do the early years matter so much for later life? Fascinating (and beautiful) explainer on how our brains develop, how early life experiences can have cascade effects and why it is so important to support every child to have the best start in life.
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/why-...
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/why-...
Why do the early years matter so much for later life?
Early brain development, combined with cascading developmental effects, mean experiences in childhood profoundly shape long-term outcomes
www.nesta.org.uk
April 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
👶Why do the early years matter so much for later life? Fascinating (and beautiful) explainer on how our brains develop, how early life experiences can have cascade effects and why it is so important to support every child to have the best start in life.
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/why-...
www.nesta.org.uk/feature/why-...
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
I've really loved coming to work at Nesta. Partly because it made me check my ways of working and getting 'stuff' done, after time in govt. Being more creative to problem solving.
Our work fast & iterate approach is key... Read more about that below 👇
Our work fast & iterate approach is key... Read more about that below 👇
The UK govt needs to adopt a different way of working to achieve its bold new missions.
Policies need to be reviewed and improved via a test and learn approach.
BIT + @nestauk.bsky.social new playbook explains this approach and how it can deliver impactful solutions 👇 www.bi.team/publications...
Policies need to be reviewed and improved via a test and learn approach.
BIT + @nestauk.bsky.social new playbook explains this approach and how it can deliver impactful solutions 👇 www.bi.team/publications...
Test and learn: a playbook for mission-driven government | BIT
The UK government has pledged to deliver bold new missions – ambitious, long-term commitments to tackle critical societal challenges. These promises will resonate strongly with many public servants wh...
www.bi.team
April 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I've really loved coming to work at Nesta. Partly because it made me check my ways of working and getting 'stuff' done, after time in govt. Being more creative to problem solving.
Our work fast & iterate approach is key... Read more about that below 👇
Our work fast & iterate approach is key... Read more about that below 👇
The debate around UPF has driven welcome consumer awareness of the unhealthiness of the food that's marketed and promoted to us everyday.
A new report from @nestauk.bsky.social asks: should we regulate UPF?
TL;DR - no. Most unhealthy UPF is already captured in existing legislation.
A new report from @nestauk.bsky.social asks: should we regulate UPF?
TL;DR - no. Most unhealthy UPF is already captured in existing legislation.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become central to recent debates around fixing our broken food environment.
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
Latest Nesta analysis looks at whether regulating UPFs could help to improve UK diets ⬇️ www.nesta.org.uk/report/upf-a...
UPF and HFSS – different labels, same foods?
An analysis of where ultra-processed foods meet those high in fat, sugar and salt
www.nesta.org.uk
April 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The debate around UPF has driven welcome consumer awareness of the unhealthiness of the food that's marketed and promoted to us everyday.
A new report from @nestauk.bsky.social asks: should we regulate UPF?
TL;DR - no. Most unhealthy UPF is already captured in existing legislation.
A new report from @nestauk.bsky.social asks: should we regulate UPF?
TL;DR - no. Most unhealthy UPF is already captured in existing legislation.
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
Are you looking for your next job role? Our current vacancies could be the right fit for you ⤵️
📊 Group Data Journalist
🗞️ Group Media Officer
📈 Junior Data Engineer
🏴 Head of Nesta Cymru
Find out more and apply on our website: www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
📊 Group Data Journalist
🗞️ Group Media Officer
📈 Junior Data Engineer
🏴 Head of Nesta Cymru
Find out more and apply on our website: www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
Jobs
We are always looking to work with a diverse range of talent. Browse current job vacancies at Nesta and from our partners
www.nesta.org.uk
April 10, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Are you looking for your next job role? Our current vacancies could be the right fit for you ⤵️
📊 Group Data Journalist
🗞️ Group Media Officer
📈 Junior Data Engineer
🏴 Head of Nesta Cymru
Find out more and apply on our website: www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
📊 Group Data Journalist
🗞️ Group Media Officer
📈 Junior Data Engineer
🏴 Head of Nesta Cymru
Find out more and apply on our website: www.nesta.org.uk/jobs/
With so much pressure on household budgets, what can we do to make healthy food more affordable?
Some thoughts from colleagues Jonathan Bone and John Barber in Nesta's latest blog 👇
Some thoughts from colleagues Jonathan Bone and John Barber in Nesta's latest blog 👇
Being able to afford healthy food is a key factor in maintaining a healthy diet. But rising living costs and inflation are making that harder for more people to achieve.
As food insecurity becomes more widespread, we need new strategies to help more people to afford a healthy diet:
As food insecurity becomes more widespread, we need new strategies to help more people to afford a healthy diet:
Exploring ways to ensure people can afford a healthy diet
Broader interventions, such as reformulation, price shifts, and healthier swaps, are needed to drive small, sustainable dietary changes across the population
www.nesta.org.uk
April 2, 2025 at 9:16 AM
With so much pressure on household budgets, what can we do to make healthy food more affordable?
Some thoughts from colleagues Jonathan Bone and John Barber in Nesta's latest blog 👇
Some thoughts from colleagues Jonathan Bone and John Barber in Nesta's latest blog 👇
Reposted by Grace Hetherington
The Welsh Senedd has voted to restrict the promotion of unhealthy food items in certain ways in Wales - a positive step towards improving health.
🏴 In our calls for the 2026-2030 Senedd, we set out opportunities to go further to take action and reduce obesity ↪️ bit.ly/3EnXaS9
🏴 In our calls for the 2026-2030 Senedd, we set out opportunities to go further to take action and reduce obesity ↪️ bit.ly/3EnXaS9
Junk food ban: The 'unhealthy' foods restricted in Welsh shops
Plans to restrict a list of foods classed as unhealthy in shops are approved by 25 votes to 24.
bbc.in
March 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The Welsh Senedd has voted to restrict the promotion of unhealthy food items in certain ways in Wales - a positive step towards improving health.
🏴 In our calls for the 2026-2030 Senedd, we set out opportunities to go further to take action and reduce obesity ↪️ bit.ly/3EnXaS9
🏴 In our calls for the 2026-2030 Senedd, we set out opportunities to go further to take action and reduce obesity ↪️ bit.ly/3EnXaS9