Adam Corlett
@adamcorlett.bsky.social
Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation 🇬🇧 Views my own.
For prosperity; against poverty, pollution and animal suffering
For prosperity; against poverty, pollution and animal suffering
Clear conclusion from a new Animal Welfare Committee report about the main way pigs are killed: "Exposure to high concentrations of CO2 in commercial systems causes pigs to suffer pain, respiratory distress and fear... its use should be prohibited." www.gov.uk/government/p...
Opinion on the welfare impacts on pigs of high concentration CO2 gas stunning and of potential alternative stunning methods
www.gov.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Clear conclusion from a new Animal Welfare Committee report about the main way pigs are killed: "Exposure to high concentrations of CO2 in commercial systems causes pigs to suffer pain, respiratory distress and fear... its use should be prohibited." www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Adam Corlett
Two reasons to focus Budget tax rises on non-wage income. 1. Tax rates on wages have long been higher than for other income. 2. The employer NI rise was a big tax wedge rise for most employees: even if non-wage taxes go up by 2p in April, wages would have had the biggest 2024-2026 effective tax rise
November 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Two reasons to focus Budget tax rises on non-wage income. 1. Tax rates on wages have long been higher than for other income. 2. The employer NI rise was a big tax wedge rise for most employees: even if non-wage taxes go up by 2p in April, wages would have had the biggest 2024-2026 effective tax rise
Two reasons to focus Budget tax rises on non-wage income. 1. Tax rates on wages have long been higher than for other income. 2. The employer NI rise was a big tax wedge rise for most employees: even if non-wage taxes go up by 2p in April, wages would have had the biggest 2024-2026 effective tax rise
November 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Two reasons to focus Budget tax rises on non-wage income. 1. Tax rates on wages have long been higher than for other income. 2. The employer NI rise was a big tax wedge rise for most employees: even if non-wage taxes go up by 2p in April, wages would have had the biggest 2024-2026 effective tax rise
Combining a couple of thoughts from this, perhaps a good way to do electoral reform (and what LDs should have demanded in 2010) is an (Irish-style) two-stage process where an independent Citizens' Assembly ponders the best system and then their choice is put to the rest of the public in a referendum
My interview with @iandunt.bsky.social on how the UK government got to be so bad.
It's not individuals but bad incentives and bad systems that make effective governance impossible.
We run through the UK's many institutional absurdities and how to fix them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yfo...
It's not individuals but bad incentives and bad systems that make effective governance impossible.
We run through the UK's many institutional absurdities and how to fix them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yfo...
Why Governments Can’t Get Anything Done and How We Can Fix It | Ian Dunt
YouTube video by 80,000 Hours
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Combining a couple of thoughts from this, perhaps a good way to do electoral reform (and what LDs should have demanded in 2010) is an (Irish-style) two-stage process where an independent Citizens' Assembly ponders the best system and then their choice is put to the rest of the public in a referendum
It is surely much easier to make this change now – while most voters are not directly affected – than in 5 or 10 years' time. Majority support on both the left and right.
By 43% to 34%, Britons support requiring electric vehicle drivers to pay a 'road use tax'
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
It is surely much easier to make this change now – while most voters are not directly affected – than in 5 or 10 years' time. Majority support on both the left and right.
Today's Bank of England outlook continues to support the idea that the OBR's March wage forecast is too low – despite the coming productivity downgrade. e.g. OBR forecast 2.3% pay growth for 2026, but the Bank and businesses they talk to expect ~3.5%. This matters a lot for the fiscal outlook.
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Today's Bank of England outlook continues to support the idea that the OBR's March wage forecast is too low – despite the coming productivity downgrade. e.g. OBR forecast 2.3% pay growth for 2026, but the Bank and businesses they talk to expect ~3.5%. This matters a lot for the fiscal outlook.
This sounds promising: grappling with a big long-term tax issue. Though the suggested scale would be similar to the £200 EV VED rise that happened this April. And if the VAT 'pavement tax' were abolished at the same time, that might offset most of this cost for drivers without home chargers.
Thursday's TELEGRAPH: Pay per mile tax to hit drivers in Budget #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This sounds promising: grappling with a big long-term tax issue. Though the suggested scale would be similar to the £200 EV VED rise that happened this April. And if the VAT 'pavement tax' were abolished at the same time, that might offset most of this cost for drivers without home chargers.
Reposted by Adam Corlett
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Tax-free electricity
A proposal to remove most taxes on electricity to reduce bills and promote clean heating
www.nesta.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Not disagreeing with John's broader thesis here but I don't think this fact is true (& we can't trust the related rankings either). I think the UK top 10% are definitely better off than in 2000. The difference might be that this international data doesn't correct top incomes like domestic sources do
In fact, the UK’s top 10% now have lower post-tax incomes than they did 25 years ago.
(That contrasts to the overall median, which has risen by about 25%)
(That contrasts to the overall median, which has risen by about 25%)
November 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Not disagreeing with John's broader thesis here but I don't think this fact is true (& we can't trust the related rankings either). I think the UK top 10% are definitely better off than in 2000. The difference might be that this international data doesn't correct top incomes like domestic sources do
The Chancellor didn’t talk about tax reform this morning, but ideally the Budget would grapple with a range of longstanding tax problems. Here are 5 of the biggest challenges… www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Black holes and consolidations • Resolution Foundation
This make-or-break Budget is set to include significant spending cuts and tax rises spurred by a significant deterioration in the public finances. So, in this briefing note we discuss how the outlook ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The Chancellor didn’t talk about tax reform this morning, but ideally the Budget would grapple with a range of longstanding tax problems. Here are 5 of the biggest challenges… www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Real fuel prices and fuel duty are historically low, and would remain so even after scheduled increases in Spring. Instead of fuel duty freezes, the Chancellor should focus cost of living support on bringing down electricity prices, which are definitely not historically low.
November 4, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Real fuel prices and fuel duty are historically low, and would remain so even after scheduled increases in Spring. Instead of fuel duty freezes, the Chancellor should focus cost of living support on bringing down electricity prices, which are definitely not historically low.
On the subject of how many households are "net recipients", this new chart of ONS data suggests that indirect taxes have plummeted. But I suspect this is mostly due to this survey missing more and more spending each year - rendering any related time series fairly useless.
October 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
On the subject of how many households are "net recipients", this new chart of ONS data suggests that indirect taxes have plummeted. But I suspect this is mostly due to this survey missing more and more spending each year - rendering any related time series fairly useless.
Taxes on the typical salary are now 55% higher than on self-employment income - a record gap. You're better off taking a self-employed role even if it's ~13% less productive. www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Taxes on the typical salary are now 55% higher than on self-employment income - a record gap. You're better off taking a self-employed role even if it's ~13% less productive. www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
What are the politics of this for Labour? Given strong public opinion, is animal welfare a cheap, easy way to show centre/left voters it is making a difference, while making life awkward for any opponents tempted to say that this is all woke nonsense? (Particularly once inflation weakens.)
Ahead of the Animal Welfare Strategy, I wrote to my MP to encourage ambition. #EndTheCageAge, roll out mandatory labelling, and end the fur trade. adamcorlett.com/2025/10/20/l...
Labour’s Animal Welfare Strategy should be decisive – adamcorlett.com
adamcorlett.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:01 AM
What are the politics of this for Labour? Given strong public opinion, is animal welfare a cheap, easy way to show centre/left voters it is making a difference, while making life awkward for any opponents tempted to say that this is all woke nonsense? (Particularly once inflation weakens.)
Reposted by Adam Corlett
A striking quote in Bloomberg from the president of the World’s Poultry Science Association, an industry group, about modern meat chickens:
October 9, 2025 at 9:28 PM
A striking quote in Bloomberg from the president of the World’s Poultry Science Association, an industry group, about modern meat chickens:
Real incomes for lower-income households have likely fallen this year, but a 6.2% rise in UC standard allowances next April should contribute to better news in 2026-27
The increase in UC is desperately needed: the value of the UC standard allowance fell by 10 per cent in real-terms between 2012-13 and 2025-26; the April 2026 increase of 6.2 per cent will undo just two-fifths of that fall (40 per cent).
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Real incomes for lower-income households have likely fallen this year, but a 6.2% rise in UC standard allowances next April should contribute to better news in 2026-27
In today's stats, UK monthly inflation was 0%. Inflation since April has been at an annualised rate of 1.9%, slightly lower than in May-Sept 2019 (when there was no inflation problem).
UK inflation over the past year was very concentrated in April. So perhaps we'll see a big fall in the annual rate in April 2026 (published in May) when that drops out.
October 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
In today's stats, UK monthly inflation was 0%. Inflation since April has been at an annualised rate of 1.9%, slightly lower than in May-Sept 2019 (when there was no inflation problem).
Many of the people Katie Lam is threatening with deportation are entitled to vote in general elections, as Commonwealth or Irish citizens
October 22, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Many of the people Katie Lam is threatening with deportation are entitled to vote in general elections, as Commonwealth or Irish citizens
Ahead of the Animal Welfare Strategy, I wrote to my MP to encourage ambition. #EndTheCageAge, roll out mandatory labelling, and end the fur trade. adamcorlett.com/2025/10/20/l...
Labour’s Animal Welfare Strategy should be decisive – adamcorlett.com
adamcorlett.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Ahead of the Animal Welfare Strategy, I wrote to my MP to encourage ambition. #EndTheCageAge, roll out mandatory labelling, and end the fur trade. adamcorlett.com/2025/10/20/l...
One good option for #Budget2025 would be to reform Vehicle Excise Duty. The current tax regime – particularly for EVs – presents a fiscal challenge, distributional challenge and harms challenge. 🧵 www.thesun.co.uk/motors/37047...
Reeves plots extra tax on EVs hitting 1.3m eco drivers with surcharge in Budget
RACHEL Reeves is looking at Electric Vehicle drivers paying their fair share of tax in a Budget revenue-raiser. Treasury officials have drawn up several proposals such as levies on the weight of th…
www.thesun.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
One good option for #Budget2025 would be to reform Vehicle Excise Duty. The current tax regime – particularly for EVs – presents a fiscal challenge, distributional challenge and harms challenge. 🧵 www.thesun.co.uk/motors/37047...
Surely it's unlikely that VAT on gas will be cut. It would be such a missed opportunity to improve the UK's damagingly high electricity to gas price ratio. There's no shortage of ways to cut electricity bills, to help all households. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
October 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Surely it's unlikely that VAT on gas will be cut. It would be such a missed opportunity to improve the UK's damagingly high electricity to gas price ratio. There's no shortage of ways to cut electricity bills, to help all households. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How much we should spend on PIP is one thing, but I think there's a good case that Motability's tax breaks are weirdly distortionary. It buys new cars without paying CO2-linked VED, or most VAT, and then sells them on after a few years. That's why 1 in 5 new cars now go through Motability.
October 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM
How much we should spend on PIP is one thing, but I think there's a good case that Motability's tax breaks are weirdly distortionary. It buys new cars without paying CO2-linked VED, or most VAT, and then sells them on after a few years. That's why 1 in 5 new cars now go through Motability.
Reposted by Adam Corlett
I laughed about Huel being “spiritually bad.” I also wish one could just trust media outlets that break news about supposedly troubling contamination to not lean into the story at the cost of scientific accuracy.
Huel is Fine
Breaking down the issues with Consumer Reports' investigative reporting on lead levels in protein supplements
thebsdetector.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 AM
I laughed about Huel being “spiritually bad.” I also wish one could just trust media outlets that break news about supposedly troubling contamination to not lean into the story at the cost of scientific accuracy.
The Government has already said that “subject to negotiations, we intend to expand the UK ETS to include emissions from international voyages”, like the EU. This news adds to the case for doing that – and HMT could even score ~£0.4bn a year for it at the Budget. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Landmark global shipping deal abandoned under US threats
President Trump intervened in the talks calling the deal a
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The Government has already said that “subject to negotiations, we intend to expand the UK ETS to include emissions from international voyages”, like the EU. This news adds to the case for doing that – and HMT could even score ~£0.4bn a year for it at the Budget. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It would cost £5 billion to keep freezing Fuel Duty, by 2029. It would cost £4 billion to take social levies, environmental levies and the Carbon Price Support off electricity bills and slash public EV charging VAT. Which is the better option?
💡💡💡 New @resfoundation.bsky.social note out today on cutting energy bills – and how paying for some costs on bills differently will see the poorest households more than £100 per year better off 💡💡💡 1/
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Splitting the bill • Resolution Foundation
This note looks at the factors behind stubbornly high energy bills and how ministers could act to ease pressure on households. It considers how change can be enacted to work for vulnerable families an...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 17, 2025 at 9:01 AM
It would cost £5 billion to keep freezing Fuel Duty, by 2029. It would cost £4 billion to take social levies, environmental levies and the Carbon Price Support off electricity bills and slash public EV charging VAT. Which is the better option?