Ben Wealthy
@benwealthy.bsky.social
The Wellbeing of the People is the Highest Law.
Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the World Wellbeing Movement.
The back catalogue -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wealthy-73927449/
Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the World Wellbeing Movement.
The back catalogue -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wealthy-73927449/
Pinned
Ben Wealthy
@benwealthy.bsky.social
· May 6
'Birmingham's bin strike underlines why public health matters. Labour should talk more about it' - LabourList
The defining purpose of public health is creating richer and freer lives for all, not just crisis management. The Labour Government can make public health a good news story.
labourlist.org
Keir Starmer has talked about Labour going "further and faster" following last week's local elections.
My latest piece for @labourlist.bsky.social outlines what that could look like in terms of public health reform, building on notable progress so far.
labourlist.org/2025/04/birm...
My latest piece for @labourlist.bsky.social outlines what that could look like in terms of public health reform, building on notable progress so far.
labourlist.org/2025/04/birm...
Look forward to reading in detail the Covid Inquiry Report on political decision-making.
It is really important that everyone digests what is said in detail and avoids sweeping statements.
This was one of the gravest challenges faced by any government outside of war.
It is really important that everyone digests what is said in detail and avoids sweeping statements.
This was one of the gravest challenges faced by any government outside of war.
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Look forward to reading in detail the Covid Inquiry Report on political decision-making.
It is really important that everyone digests what is said in detail and avoids sweeping statements.
This was one of the gravest challenges faced by any government outside of war.
It is really important that everyone digests what is said in detail and avoids sweeping statements.
This was one of the gravest challenges faced by any government outside of war.
Think it is unfair on the NHS - and destined to fail - if we focus success purely on managing down waiting lists.
Have to look wider and actually improve public health to reduce severity of demand and costs on health services.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Have to look wider and actually improve public health to reduce severity of demand and costs on health services.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns
Public accounts committee finds Labour’s progress ‘appears to have stalled’ despite billions of pounds in investment
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Think it is unfair on the NHS - and destined to fail - if we focus success purely on managing down waiting lists.
Have to look wider and actually improve public health to reduce severity of demand and costs on health services.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Have to look wider and actually improve public health to reduce severity of demand and costs on health services.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My first Substack piece is here - it is about Alan Partridge, happiness and politics (with a little inspiration from my old friend Cicero)
benwealthy.substack.com/p/the-good-l...
benwealthy.substack.com/p/the-good-l...
The Good Life
This post develops remarks I made at the Health Creation Alliance Summit on Tuesday 21st October about wellbeing.
benwealthy.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
My first Substack piece is here - it is about Alan Partridge, happiness and politics (with a little inspiration from my old friend Cicero)
benwealthy.substack.com/p/the-good-l...
benwealthy.substack.com/p/the-good-l...
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
The UK’s gambling industry is worth £15.6bn, yet gambling-related harms burden our health services, public resources & communities.
I joined fellow MPs urging the Govt to levy this billion-pound industry to tackle child poverty and transform life chances across the country.
I joined fellow MPs urging the Govt to levy this billion-pound industry to tackle child poverty and transform life chances across the country.
October 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The UK’s gambling industry is worth £15.6bn, yet gambling-related harms burden our health services, public resources & communities.
I joined fellow MPs urging the Govt to levy this billion-pound industry to tackle child poverty and transform life chances across the country.
I joined fellow MPs urging the Govt to levy this billion-pound industry to tackle child poverty and transform life chances across the country.
Interested in framing more policy challenges as part of ‘rights and responsibilities agenda.’
Water is a good case study. Expensive bills, polluted waterways and aging infrastructure.
The industry needs to clean up its act, or be nationalised. But we all have a role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Water is a good case study. Expensive bills, polluted waterways and aging infrastructure.
The industry needs to clean up its act, or be nationalised. But we all have a role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Fatberg' weighing 100 tonnes removed from London sewer - BBC News
The removal of the "fatberg" from a sewer in Feltham was "hugely complex", Thames Water says.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Interested in framing more policy challenges as part of ‘rights and responsibilities agenda.’
Water is a good case study. Expensive bills, polluted waterways and aging infrastructure.
The industry needs to clean up its act, or be nationalised. But we all have a role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Water is a good case study. Expensive bills, polluted waterways and aging infrastructure.
The industry needs to clean up its act, or be nationalised. But we all have a role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Many thanks to Peter for stepping up to serve as Chair of the APPG on Wellbeing Economics.
The World Wellbeing Movement is delighted to be providing the secretariat - very much looking forward to working with Parliamentarians and others to promote ideas that will improve wellbeing in the UK.
The World Wellbeing Movement is delighted to be providing the secretariat - very much looking forward to working with Parliamentarians and others to promote ideas that will improve wellbeing in the UK.
Newly-revived cross-party Parliamentary group to put wellbeing at heart of UK policy
Newly-revived cross-party Parliamentary group to put wellbeing at heart of UK policy
A cross-party collective of Parliamentarians have thrown their support behind a newly-revived All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) focused on the wellbeing of UK people. The APPG on Wellbeing Economics is run by, and for, Members of the Commons and Lords, and will draw upon academic experts as well as leaders in business and civil society to develop evidence-based strategies and policies to improve wellbeing across the UK.
peterlamb.org.uk
September 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Many thanks to Peter for stepping up to serve as Chair of the APPG on Wellbeing Economics.
The World Wellbeing Movement is delighted to be providing the secretariat - very much looking forward to working with Parliamentarians and others to promote ideas that will improve wellbeing in the UK.
The World Wellbeing Movement is delighted to be providing the secretariat - very much looking forward to working with Parliamentarians and others to promote ideas that will improve wellbeing in the UK.
Wellbeing economics provides an idealistic and pragmatic framework for addressing some of our biggest policy challenges – find out more about the revived APPG on Wellbeing Economics here wellbeingeconomics.co.uk or drop me a message.
All Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics |
wellbeingeconomics.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Wellbeing economics provides an idealistic and pragmatic framework for addressing some of our biggest policy challenges – find out more about the revived APPG on Wellbeing Economics here wellbeingeconomics.co.uk or drop me a message.
Running a council isn't easy, the challenges are bigger that they seem from the outside and savings are few and far between.
Revelatory insights from Reform Leader in Lancashire.
Those who carp from the sidelines of politics at a local or indeed national level are finding it harder to do.
Revelatory insights from Reform Leader in Lancashire.
Those who carp from the sidelines of politics at a local or indeed national level are finding it harder to do.
September 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Running a council isn't easy, the challenges are bigger that they seem from the outside and savings are few and far between.
Revelatory insights from Reform Leader in Lancashire.
Those who carp from the sidelines of politics at a local or indeed national level are finding it harder to do.
Revelatory insights from Reform Leader in Lancashire.
Those who carp from the sidelines of politics at a local or indeed national level are finding it harder to do.
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
Back outside Parliament as the assisted dying bill has its second day of Second Reading - standing with those asking for dignity, compassion and choice
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Back outside Parliament as the assisted dying bill has its second day of Second Reading - standing with those asking for dignity, compassion and choice
The APPG on Wellbeing Economics has been revived to provide a home in Parliament for discussion and debate about wellbeing in the UK. Secretariat provided by the World Wellbeing Movement. Watch this space for updates and check out the website wellbeingeconomics.co.uk?trk=feed_mai...
All Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics |
wellbeingeconomics.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The APPG on Wellbeing Economics has been revived to provide a home in Parliament for discussion and debate about wellbeing in the UK. Secretariat provided by the World Wellbeing Movement. Watch this space for updates and check out the website wellbeingeconomics.co.uk?trk=feed_mai...
Public health and wellbeing relies on an active government taking evidence-based steps such as this. Hugely welcome.
‘No place in children’s hands’: under-16s in England to be banned from buying energy drinks
‘No place in children’s hands’: under-16s in England to be banned from buying energy drinks
Government to ban sale of energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine, citing concerns over obesity and lack of concentration
Under-16s in England will be banned from buying energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster because they fuel obesity, cause sleep problems and leave them unable to concentrate.
Health experts, teaching unions and dentists welcomed the ban and said it would boost children and young people’s health. It fulfils a pledge Labour included in its manifesto for last year’s general election. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Public health and wellbeing relies on an active government taking evidence-based steps such as this. Hugely welcome.
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
‘Let us not risk getting trapped in the last war.’ My piece for @pbe.co.uk on why the wellbeing v GDP framing has run out of road
pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...
pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...
Beyond ‘beyond GDP’ | PBE
By Hetan Shah I was involved in some of the calls for improved measurement of wellbeing in the early 2000s. Two decades on, sometimes the debate feels like it has not moved on sufficiently from those ...
pbe.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 5:48 AM
‘Let us not risk getting trapped in the last war.’ My piece for @pbe.co.uk on why the wellbeing v GDP framing has run out of road
pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...
pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...
The question we need to ask about the rising benefit bill is ‘why is there such an increase in illness, in particular mental health conditions?’ Reforming criteria focuses on cost control when what matters is causes. Shift priority to improving wellbeing, savings will follow.
July 12, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The question we need to ask about the rising benefit bill is ‘why is there such an increase in illness, in particular mental health conditions?’ Reforming criteria focuses on cost control when what matters is causes. Shift priority to improving wellbeing, savings will follow.
Important initiative.
Key will be measure of success. A good option is people's life satisfaction (how we feel about our lives) as recorded by the ONS.
Our recent World Wellbeing Movement report explores the state of wellbeing in the UK.
worldwellbeingmovement.org/news/uk-well...
Key will be measure of success. A good option is people's life satisfaction (how we feel about our lives) as recorded by the ONS.
Our recent World Wellbeing Movement report explores the state of wellbeing in the UK.
worldwellbeingmovement.org/news/uk-well...
July 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Important initiative.
Key will be measure of success. A good option is people's life satisfaction (how we feel about our lives) as recorded by the ONS.
Our recent World Wellbeing Movement report explores the state of wellbeing in the UK.
worldwellbeingmovement.org/news/uk-well...
Key will be measure of success. A good option is people's life satisfaction (how we feel about our lives) as recorded by the ONS.
Our recent World Wellbeing Movement report explores the state of wellbeing in the UK.
worldwellbeingmovement.org/news/uk-well...
The UK has a proud history of developing new approaches to reducing road injuries and deaths and LTNs represent another positive step forward. It is a shame that some politicians and parties have sown seeds of division over sensible changes to make communities safer for everyone.
NEW: Big study of low-traffic neighbourhoods in London suggest they cut road injuries and deaths by more than a third within their boundaries with no apparent negative safety effect on nearby roads. This feels a *major* boost for proponents of such schemes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
London’s low-traffic zones ‘cut deaths and injuries by more than a third’
Exclusive: Study also finds no change in number of casualties on roads just outside low-traffic neighbourhoods
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The UK has a proud history of developing new approaches to reducing road injuries and deaths and LTNs represent another positive step forward. It is a shame that some politicians and parties have sown seeds of division over sensible changes to make communities safer for everyone.
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
TOMORROW | The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?
On Thursday 19 June, the IfG will host expert panels and keynote speakers - including former prime minister Sir John Major - for our conference on standards in public life
Check out our event lineup👇🧵
On Thursday 19 June, the IfG will host expert panels and keynote speakers - including former prime minister Sir John Major - for our conference on standards in public life
Check out our event lineup👇🧵
June 18, 2025 at 4:36 PM
TOMORROW | The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?
On Thursday 19 June, the IfG will host expert panels and keynote speakers - including former prime minister Sir John Major - for our conference on standards in public life
Check out our event lineup👇🧵
On Thursday 19 June, the IfG will host expert panels and keynote speakers - including former prime minister Sir John Major - for our conference on standards in public life
Check out our event lineup👇🧵
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
A challenging read. But a call to action
New: 2025 UK Wellbeing Report
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
June 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A challenging read. But a call to action
New: 2025 UK Wellbeing Report
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
June 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
New: 2025 UK Wellbeing Report
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
Nearly 7 million UK people – around 13% of the population aged 16 and above – are estimated to be living below the Happiness Poverty Line (HPL).
The HPL refers to people who rate their life satisfaction at 5 or under (on a 0-10 scale).
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
📢 9.3 million people are facing hunger and hardship in the UK!
We support the Joseph Rowntree Foundation @trusselluk.bsky.social and and 100s of people at @ukparliament.parliament.uk today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials.
Here's why it matters: bit.ly/3FEZKnK
#EssentialsGuarantee
We support the Joseph Rowntree Foundation @trusselluk.bsky.social and and 100s of people at @ukparliament.parliament.uk today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials.
Here's why it matters: bit.ly/3FEZKnK
#EssentialsGuarantee
June 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
📢 9.3 million people are facing hunger and hardship in the UK!
We support the Joseph Rowntree Foundation @trusselluk.bsky.social and and 100s of people at @ukparliament.parliament.uk today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials.
Here's why it matters: bit.ly/3FEZKnK
#EssentialsGuarantee
We support the Joseph Rowntree Foundation @trusselluk.bsky.social and and 100s of people at @ukparliament.parliament.uk today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials.
Here's why it matters: bit.ly/3FEZKnK
#EssentialsGuarantee
The difficulty with cutting/limiting spending on other things to prioritise the NHS is that many of those other things create better health and wellbeing thereby helping reduce pressures on the NHS.
June 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The difficulty with cutting/limiting spending on other things to prioritise the NHS is that many of those other things create better health and wellbeing thereby helping reduce pressures on the NHS.
Positive that Labour is investing more in the NHS. Many will say it is not enough and there will rightly be a debate about value for money.
My concern is that the NHS and health are different things. We see more funding for the NHS and think it is more money for health...
My concern is that the NHS and health are different things. We see more funding for the NHS and think it is more money for health...
June 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Positive that Labour is investing more in the NHS. Many will say it is not enough and there will rightly be a debate about value for money.
My concern is that the NHS and health are different things. We see more funding for the NHS and think it is more money for health...
My concern is that the NHS and health are different things. We see more funding for the NHS and think it is more money for health...
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
What do the public really think about what causes ill health? And who do they think is responsible for taking action?
We have compiled recent work on public attitudes to health, with some surprising and important headlines.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3FEKo2N
We have compiled recent work on public attitudes to health, with some surprising and important headlines.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3FEKo2N
June 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
What do the public really think about what causes ill health? And who do they think is responsible for taking action?
We have compiled recent work on public attitudes to health, with some surprising and important headlines.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3FEKo2N
We have compiled recent work on public attitudes to health, with some surprising and important headlines.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3FEKo2N
‘Health’, ‘Department of Health and Social Care’ and the ‘NHS’ are used interchangeably in commentary about the Spending Review.
They are different entities and where money is allocated sends a strong signal about the government’s health strategy and priorities.
They are different entities and where money is allocated sends a strong signal about the government’s health strategy and priorities.
June 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
‘Health’, ‘Department of Health and Social Care’ and the ‘NHS’ are used interchangeably in commentary about the Spending Review.
They are different entities and where money is allocated sends a strong signal about the government’s health strategy and priorities.
They are different entities and where money is allocated sends a strong signal about the government’s health strategy and priorities.
Reposted by Ben Wealthy
Assisted Dying Bill has had “more scrutiny than any government bill” - former MP and @dignityindying.org.uk Chair Paul Blomfield www.dignityindying.org.uk/blog-post/as...
Assisted Dying Bill has had “more scrutiny than any government bill” - Dignity in Dying
Parliamentary experts give their verdict on the process for Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill
www.dignityindying.org.uk
June 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Assisted Dying Bill has had “more scrutiny than any government bill” - former MP and @dignityindying.org.uk Chair Paul Blomfield www.dignityindying.org.uk/blog-post/as...
Reposting some thoughts in the context of the Spending Review.
Health and wellbeing are not in conflict with a thriving economy. There is no wealth without health.
And why would we want to be rich but unhappy?
Health and wellbeing are not in conflict with a thriving economy. There is no wealth without health.
And why would we want to be rich but unhappy?
Keir Starmer has talked about Labour going "further and faster" following last week's local elections.
My latest piece for @labourlist.bsky.social outlines what that could look like in terms of public health reform, building on notable progress so far.
labourlist.org/2025/04/birm...
My latest piece for @labourlist.bsky.social outlines what that could look like in terms of public health reform, building on notable progress so far.
labourlist.org/2025/04/birm...
'Birmingham's bin strike underlines why public health matters. Labour should talk more about it' - LabourList
The defining purpose of public health is creating richer and freer lives for all, not just crisis management. The Labour Government can make public health a good news story.
labourlist.org
June 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposting some thoughts in the context of the Spending Review.
Health and wellbeing are not in conflict with a thriving economy. There is no wealth without health.
And why would we want to be rich but unhappy?
Health and wellbeing are not in conflict with a thriving economy. There is no wealth without health.
And why would we want to be rich but unhappy?