Stephen Boyd
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
Director IPPR Scotland
Views my own
Views my own
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
"More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden" - on.ft.com/498VbP7
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden
Wealth managers issue warning as worries grow among people in their 20s over the economy and job prospects
on.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
"More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden" - on.ft.com/498VbP7
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Manufacturing accounts for 8% of UK economy: should we try & increase this?
Yes (imv), but it's important to distinguish some good arguments for this from bad ones (and recognise some uncertainties)
my blogpost:
softmachines.org?p=3180
Yes (imv), but it's important to distinguish some good arguments for this from bad ones (and recognise some uncertainties)
my blogpost:
softmachines.org?p=3180
Good reasons and bad reasons for supporting manufacturing (and some uncertainties) – Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
softmachines.org
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Manufacturing accounts for 8% of UK economy: should we try & increase this?
Yes (imv), but it's important to distinguish some good arguments for this from bad ones (and recognise some uncertainties)
my blogpost:
softmachines.org?p=3180
Yes (imv), but it's important to distinguish some good arguments for this from bad ones (and recognise some uncertainties)
my blogpost:
softmachines.org?p=3180
travelling down this road, knowing the delights of An Teallach are only minutes away...bliss
bsky.app/profile/74fr...
bsky.app/profile/74fr...
Fainmore on the A832 between Braemore junction and Dundonnell in Wester Ross. Pic: Wendy Mowatt
November 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
travelling down this road, knowing the delights of An Teallach are only minutes away...bliss
bsky.app/profile/74fr...
bsky.app/profile/74fr...
"the uniquely British problem of working-age people who do not work"
In fact, the UK working age labour force participation rate (63.1%) in 2023 was higher than the US (62.6), Germany (61.5), Japan (62.9), France (56.3), Italy (49.9) and OECD average (60.9)
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
In fact, the UK working age labour force participation rate (63.1%) in 2023 was higher than the US (62.6), Germany (61.5), Japan (62.9), France (56.3), Italy (49.9) and OECD average (60.9)
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
Why Scots workers could be celebrating a tax cut – thanks to the SNP
As Labour grapples with mounting economic woes ahead of the Budget, Andy Maciver argues that John Swinney could seize the moment—offering Scots a…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:35 AM
"the uniquely British problem of working-age people who do not work"
In fact, the UK working age labour force participation rate (63.1%) in 2023 was higher than the US (62.6), Germany (61.5), Japan (62.9), France (56.3), Italy (49.9) and OECD average (60.9)
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
In fact, the UK working age labour force participation rate (63.1%) in 2023 was higher than the US (62.6), Germany (61.5), Japan (62.9), France (56.3), Italy (49.9) and OECD average (60.9)
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
Peak firework season seems like a good time to recall Baumol's advice that we worry too much about the rising relative costs of good things (health, social care) and not nearly enough about the declining relative costs of bad things (fireworks, guns, cars)
November 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Peak firework season seems like a good time to recall Baumol's advice that we worry too much about the rising relative costs of good things (health, social care) and not nearly enough about the declining relative costs of bad things (fireworks, guns, cars)
Mayfield Review looks serious and balanced.
"Employers must be in the lead. Some may resist that message amid tight margins and slow growth. But many already recognise they are carrying the cost of ill-health every day"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6909fa...
"Employers must be in the lead. Some may resist that message amid tight margins and slow growth. But many already recognise they are carrying the cost of ill-health every day"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6909fa...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Mayfield Review looks serious and balanced.
"Employers must be in the lead. Some may resist that message amid tight margins and slow growth. But many already recognise they are carrying the cost of ill-health every day"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6909fa...
"Employers must be in the lead. Some may resist that message amid tight margins and slow growth. But many already recognise they are carrying the cost of ill-health every day"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6909fa...
One in five people are *now* economically inactive says Justin on the radio, asksing "is there a way out of this mess?"
You probably know that one in five people have been economically inactive since we started measuring it over half a century ago.
You probably know that one in five people have been economically inactive since we started measuring it over half a century ago.
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Partly, but it's also a fairly rational antipathy to grifters and buffoons.
Sometimes, distrust of machines can be a rational reaction.
Why do some of us love AI, while others hate it? The answer is in how our brains perceive risk and trust
Sometimes, distrust of machines can be a rational reaction.
tcnv.link
November 4, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Partly, but it's also a fairly rational antipathy to grifters and buffoons.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
I've written a couple of things over the last days about how the government and much of Westminster remaining on X as the platform becomes increasingly toxic is having consequences for our politics...
Our politics is increasingly normalised to racism – because politicians are addicted to X
The platform has quietly dragged British politics into a dark place
inews.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I've written a couple of things over the last days about how the government and much of Westminster remaining on X as the platform becomes increasingly toxic is having consequences for our politics...
"...the most damning assumption is that the country is so stupid, so sycophantic and so passive that it won’t mind that Andrew has received no real punishment since Giuffre’s memoir appeared"
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Abolish the monarchy
It’s more than Prince Andrew – the whole House of Windsor is rotten to the core
www.newstatesman.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:28 AM
"...the most damning assumption is that the country is so stupid, so sycophantic and so passive that it won’t mind that Andrew has received no real punishment since Giuffre’s memoir appeared"
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
New post out:
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The worst social policy ever"
Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP.
Lots of data but also powerful testimony.
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Average person’s life saw ‘no meaningful improvement’ over past year www.independent.co.uk/news/busines... Last chance to tune into our webinar on this topic with @graceblakeley.substack.com at 10am this morning: carnegieuk.org/event/how-is...
Average person’s life saw ‘no meaningful improvement’ over past year – charity
Carnegie UK found stagnating wellbeing and persistent hardship for millions of people since 2023.
www.independent.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Average person’s life saw ‘no meaningful improvement’ over past year www.independent.co.uk/news/busines... Last chance to tune into our webinar on this topic with @graceblakeley.substack.com at 10am this morning: carnegieuk.org/event/how-is...
Extensive coverage of @ipprscotland.bsky.social polling in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social
We wanted to know about the public’s voting intentions, their policy priorities and whether they believe the Scottish Parliament can deliver for them...🧵
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557155...
We wanted to know about the public’s voting intentions, their policy priorities and whether they believe the Scottish Parliament can deliver for them...🧵
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557155...
Landmark new poll reveals deep pessimism among Scots about country’s future
A major new poll shows deep pessimism among Scots about the country’s future and little confidence the next government will make things better.
www.heraldscotland.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Extensive coverage of @ipprscotland.bsky.social polling in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social
We wanted to know about the public’s voting intentions, their policy priorities and whether they believe the Scottish Parliament can deliver for them...🧵
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557155...
We wanted to know about the public’s voting intentions, their policy priorities and whether they believe the Scottish Parliament can deliver for them...🧵
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557155...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
🚨 NEW: Reform UK is on course to return 22 MSPs at next year’s Holyrood election — making Nigel Farage’s party the second largest in the Scottish Parliament, a new Survation poll suggests. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557131...
Poll shock as Reform storms into second place in Scotland
Reform UK is projected to win 22 seats in the Scottish Parliament, overtaking Labour to become the second-largest party according to a new Survation…
www.heraldscotland.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
🚨 NEW: Reform UK is on course to return 22 MSPs at next year’s Holyrood election — making Nigel Farage’s party the second largest in the Scottish Parliament, a new Survation poll suggests. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2557131...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
🚸Too many children are missing out on the child maintenance support they deserve.
It’s time for change!
We
@ipprscotland.bsky.social
alongside @opfs.org.uk
,
@fifegingerbread.bsky.social
are calling for a fairer, safer system.
📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve...
#TransformingChildMaintenance
It’s time for change!
We
@ipprscotland.bsky.social
alongside @opfs.org.uk
,
@fifegingerbread.bsky.social
are calling for a fairer, safer system.
📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve...
#TransformingChildMaintenance
Better for everyone: a new vision for child maintenance - One Parent Families Scotland
Ambitious proposals for systemic reform of the Child Maintenance Service to improve financial security for children in single parent families.
opfs.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 AM
🚸Too many children are missing out on the child maintenance support they deserve.
It’s time for change!
We
@ipprscotland.bsky.social
alongside @opfs.org.uk
,
@fifegingerbread.bsky.social
are calling for a fairer, safer system.
📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve...
#TransformingChildMaintenance
It’s time for change!
We
@ipprscotland.bsky.social
alongside @opfs.org.uk
,
@fifegingerbread.bsky.social
are calling for a fairer, safer system.
📄 opfs.org.uk/betterforeve...
#TransformingChildMaintenance
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
🕰️Our tenth anniversary conference is exactly a week away.
If you haven't already registered, this is your chance. Seats are limited.
If you haven't already registered, this is your chance. Seats are limited.
Very limited places available for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10th Anniversary Conference on 29 October.
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Luma
luma.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🕰️Our tenth anniversary conference is exactly a week away.
If you haven't already registered, this is your chance. Seats are limited.
If you haven't already registered, this is your chance. Seats are limited.
Very limited places available for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10th Anniversary Conference on 29 October.
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Luma
luma.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Very limited places available for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10th Anniversary Conference on 29 October.
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Agenda and registration details here:
luma.com/event/manage...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Even in this place, I feel the sheer scale of foreign aid being demolished isn't fully appreciated. As it stands, it is perhaps *the* most catastrophic change to preventable deaths in our lifetimes, and the salience - even in presumably friendly spaces - is basically zero
apnews.com/article/myan...
apnews.com/article/myan...
Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Even in this place, I feel the sheer scale of foreign aid being demolished isn't fully appreciated. As it stands, it is perhaps *the* most catastrophic change to preventable deaths in our lifetimes, and the salience - even in presumably friendly spaces - is basically zero
apnews.com/article/myan...
apnews.com/article/myan...
After all the excitement of the Mercury Prize tonight, we will be talking music albums on #wakeuptomoney tomo. In this age of streaming, do you still listen to an entire album track by track? Are albums still relevant? And what’s your favourite album and why?
October 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
A much needed corrective by @chrisgiles.ft.com to the "welfare is out of control" narrative, drawing on research by my colleague @benbgeiger.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/ee67...
www.ft.com/content/ee67...
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high
www.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A much needed corrective by @chrisgiles.ft.com to the "welfare is out of control" narrative, drawing on research by my colleague @benbgeiger.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/ee67...
www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
We're hiring!💥
IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy.
Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October.
www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...
IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy.
Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October.
www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...
Senior Research Fellow, IPPR North | IPPR
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society.
www.ippr.org
October 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
We're hiring!💥
IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy.
Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October.
www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...
IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy.
Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October.
www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...
Today's stats (Jun-Aug) point to a deteriorating Scottish labour market:
16-64yrs employment down 20k on quarter (-16k women, -4k men)
Unemployment up 5k (women +5k)
Inactivity up 15k (men +5k, women +11k)
16-64 rates: Employment 74.3% (74.5% May-Jun)
Unemployment 4% (3.6)
Inactivity 22.7% (22.8)
16-64yrs employment down 20k on quarter (-16k women, -4k men)
Unemployment up 5k (women +5k)
Inactivity up 15k (men +5k, women +11k)
16-64 rates: Employment 74.3% (74.5% May-Jun)
Unemployment 4% (3.6)
Inactivity 22.7% (22.8)
October 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Today's stats (Jun-Aug) point to a deteriorating Scottish labour market:
16-64yrs employment down 20k on quarter (-16k women, -4k men)
Unemployment up 5k (women +5k)
Inactivity up 15k (men +5k, women +11k)
16-64 rates: Employment 74.3% (74.5% May-Jun)
Unemployment 4% (3.6)
Inactivity 22.7% (22.8)
16-64yrs employment down 20k on quarter (-16k women, -4k men)
Unemployment up 5k (women +5k)
Inactivity up 15k (men +5k, women +11k)
16-64 rates: Employment 74.3% (74.5% May-Jun)
Unemployment 4% (3.6)
Inactivity 22.7% (22.8)
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
What does a Nobel Prize on ‘innovation-driven economic growth’ actually reward?
A historian’s perspective on how to deal with the Nobel frenzy
beatricecherrier.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/w...
A historian’s perspective on how to deal with the Nobel frenzy
beatricecherrier.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/w...
October 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
What does a Nobel Prize on ‘innovation-driven economic growth’ actually reward?
A historian’s perspective on how to deal with the Nobel frenzy
beatricecherrier.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/w...
A historian’s perspective on how to deal with the Nobel frenzy
beatricecherrier.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/w...