Dani Payne
@danihpayne.bsky.social
Head of Education & Social Mobility @SMFThinkTank, education/skills/HE • Opinions my own & evolving • 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Dani Payne
Ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, we're delighted that @danihpayne.bsky.social has been nominated for Think Tanker of the Year!🎉
November 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, we're delighted that @danihpayne.bsky.social has been nominated for Think Tanker of the Year!🎉
Reposted by Dani Payne
We're so proud that our own @danihpayne.bsky.social is a finalist for the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
November 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We're so proud that our own @danihpayne.bsky.social is a finalist for the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Reposted by Dani Payne
We're delighted that our Head of Education & Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social will join the Govt's Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group, which aims to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly/JfwInFI
buff.ly/JfwInFI
Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group
This group creates proposals to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
We're delighted that our Head of Education & Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social will join the Govt's Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group, which aims to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly/JfwInFI
buff.ly/JfwInFI
Out of office: on.
October 24, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Out of office: on.
Reposted by Dani Payne
The SMF welcomes the new V Level qualifications announced by the Government, as a way of making vocational training more accessable and improving social mobility.
Read @danihpayne.bsky.social's full analysis:
buff.ly/gQgB20H
Read @danihpayne.bsky.social's full analysis:
buff.ly/gQgB20H
October 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The SMF welcomes the new V Level qualifications announced by the Government, as a way of making vocational training more accessable and improving social mobility.
Read @danihpayne.bsky.social's full analysis:
buff.ly/gQgB20H
Read @danihpayne.bsky.social's full analysis:
buff.ly/gQgB20H
A new combined FE/HE target is a great step forwards. HE can be a vital route to social mobility for many, it won’t be right for all. Apprenticeships can also provide pathways into high skilled jobs & we should be ensuring disadvantaged young people access high quality provision across all pathways
September 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A new combined FE/HE target is a great step forwards. HE can be a vital route to social mobility for many, it won’t be right for all. Apprenticeships can also provide pathways into high skilled jobs & we should be ensuring disadvantaged young people access high quality provision across all pathways
A new combined FE/HE target is a great step forwards. HE can be a vital route to social mobility for many, it won’t be right for all. Apprenticeships can also provide pathways into high skilled jobs & we should be ensuring disadvantaged young people access high quality provision across all pathways
September 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A new combined FE/HE target is a great step forwards. HE can be a vital route to social mobility for many, it won’t be right for all. Apprenticeships can also provide pathways into high skilled jobs & we should be ensuring disadvantaged young people access high quality provision across all pathways
Reposted by Dani Payne
Social Market Foundation Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on yesterday's maintenance grant announcement -
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Labour to bring back maintenance grants for students on ‘priority’ courses
Education secretary says means-tested grants for ‘those who need them most’ will be funded by new international student levy
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Social Market Foundation Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on yesterday's maintenance grant announcement -
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Hoozle is unhappy about the other man in my life (Larry).
September 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Hoozle is unhappy about the other man in my life (Larry).
Reposted by Dani Payne
I'm in the Guardian on the economic challenges posed by falling fertility rates -
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
‘Really transitional moment’: what should we do about declining fertility rates?
As fertility rate hits all-time low in England and Wales, is there cause for concern for the economy and services?
www.theguardian.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:08 AM
I'm in the Guardian on the economic challenges posed by falling fertility rates -
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Reposted by Dani Payne
As rumours of a reshuffle abound, we take a look at the history of frontbench churn and reshuffles.
Can historical trends tell us anything about how Starmer might approach a potential reshuffle?
SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social takes a deep dive.
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Can historical trends tell us anything about how Starmer might approach a potential reshuffle?
SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social takes a deep dive.
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Everyday I'm reshuffling | SMF analysis of past reshuffles
Could as many as 2 in 5 frontbenchers face the chop this reshuffle? SMF analysis looks at the evidence from previous reshuffles.
www.smf.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
As rumours of a reshuffle abound, we take a look at the history of frontbench churn and reshuffles.
Can historical trends tell us anything about how Starmer might approach a potential reshuffle?
SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social takes a deep dive.
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Can historical trends tell us anything about how Starmer might approach a potential reshuffle?
SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social takes a deep dive.
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Reposted by Dani Payne
Year after year, we continue to see large regional gaps in the grades young people achieve at GCSE.
While potential is spread evenly across the country, opportunity is not.
@danihpayne.bsky.social and I on today's GCSE results day -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
While potential is spread evenly across the country, opportunity is not.
@danihpayne.bsky.social and I on today's GCSE results day -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
GCSE Results day 2025 – Social Market Foundation analysis - Social Market Foundation.
Today’s results show persistent attainment gaps by region and school type, with much more to do to level the playing field for all pupils.
www.smf.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Year after year, we continue to see large regional gaps in the grades young people achieve at GCSE.
While potential is spread evenly across the country, opportunity is not.
@danihpayne.bsky.social and I on today's GCSE results day -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
While potential is spread evenly across the country, opportunity is not.
@danihpayne.bsky.social and I on today's GCSE results day -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Reposted by Dani Payne
🧵SMF analysis of #GCSEResultsDay2025
Regional inequalities in attainment persist:
🟡72% of GCSEs taken by London pupils were graded at 4/C or above, vs just 63% in the West Midlands
🟡 London benefits from the highest % of grade 7s+ - while the North East has the lowest
Regional inequalities in attainment persist:
🟡72% of GCSEs taken by London pupils were graded at 4/C or above, vs just 63% in the West Midlands
🟡 London benefits from the highest % of grade 7s+ - while the North East has the lowest
August 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
🧵SMF analysis of #GCSEResultsDay2025
Regional inequalities in attainment persist:
🟡72% of GCSEs taken by London pupils were graded at 4/C or above, vs just 63% in the West Midlands
🟡 London benefits from the highest % of grade 7s+ - while the North East has the lowest
Regional inequalities in attainment persist:
🟡72% of GCSEs taken by London pupils were graded at 4/C or above, vs just 63% in the West Midlands
🟡 London benefits from the highest % of grade 7s+ - while the North East has the lowest
Reposted by Dani Payne
#ResultsDay2025
📻ICYMI, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social speaking to @tomswarbrick.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk
this morning
👇"...throughout their time at school, those gaps between the richest and poorest widen as they go through the school system and into the workplace."
📻ICYMI, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social speaking to @tomswarbrick.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk
this morning
👇"...throughout their time at school, those gaps between the richest and poorest widen as they go through the school system and into the workplace."
August 21, 2025 at 8:17 AM
#ResultsDay2025
📻ICYMI, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social speaking to @tomswarbrick.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk
this morning
👇"...throughout their time at school, those gaps between the richest and poorest widen as they go through the school system and into the workplace."
📻ICYMI, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social speaking to @tomswarbrick.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk
this morning
👇"...throughout their time at school, those gaps between the richest and poorest widen as they go through the school system and into the workplace."
Reposted by Dani Payne
Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on the @telegraphnews.bsky.social's front page today
With top unis accepting record amounts of applicants, she warned that it could result in overcrowding...
...while lower-ranking institutions ultimately lose out.
With top unis accepting record amounts of applicants, she warned that it could result in overcrowding...
...while lower-ranking institutions ultimately lose out.
August 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on the @telegraphnews.bsky.social's front page today
With top unis accepting record amounts of applicants, she warned that it could result in overcrowding...
...while lower-ranking institutions ultimately lose out.
With top unis accepting record amounts of applicants, she warned that it could result in overcrowding...
...while lower-ranking institutions ultimately lose out.
Reposted by Dani Payne
This chart from @smfthinktank.bsky.social shows the problem. The most selective unis are hoovering up students to manage their finances, leaving others at risk of closure. The market needs managing.
August 15, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This chart from @smfthinktank.bsky.social shows the problem. The most selective unis are hoovering up students to manage their finances, leaving others at risk of closure. The market needs managing.
Reposted by Dani Payne
SMF analysis of Level 3 #ResultsDay2025
Regional divides widen and gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas persist, amidst record results.
👇Education experts @danihpayne.bsky.social and
@beckymontacute.bsky.social breakdown the data
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Regional divides widen and gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas persist, amidst record results.
👇Education experts @danihpayne.bsky.social and
@beckymontacute.bsky.social breakdown the data
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Results day 2025 – Social Market Foundation analysis - Social Market Foundation.
Results day and university admissions data offers insight into how the HE sector is performing under growing financial and structural pressures.
www.smf.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
SMF analysis of Level 3 #ResultsDay2025
Regional divides widen and gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas persist, amidst record results.
👇Education experts @danihpayne.bsky.social and
@beckymontacute.bsky.social breakdown the data
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Regional divides widen and gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas persist, amidst record results.
👇Education experts @danihpayne.bsky.social and
@beckymontacute.bsky.social breakdown the data
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Reposted by Dani Payne
Blog up on the major take aways from today's results day from @danihpayne.bsky.social and me -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Results day 2025 – Social Market Foundation analysis - Social Market Foundation.
Results day and university admissions data offers insight into how the HE sector is performing under growing financial and structural pressures.
www.smf.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Blog up on the major take aways from today's results day from @danihpayne.bsky.social and me -
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
Many students today will be celebrating as more are getting into their first choice uni, even if they missed their grades
But universities continue to fail to tackle gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas, & regional inequalities are widening #ResultsDay2025
But universities continue to fail to tackle gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas, & regional inequalities are widening #ResultsDay2025
📚Level 3 Results Day analysis📚
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
August 14, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Many students today will be celebrating as more are getting into their first choice uni, even if they missed their grades
But universities continue to fail to tackle gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas, & regional inequalities are widening #ResultsDay2025
But universities continue to fail to tackle gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas, & regional inequalities are widening #ResultsDay2025
Reposted by Dani Payne
📚Level 3 Results Day analysis📚
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
August 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM
📚Level 3 Results Day analysis📚
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
Key points:
🔵Regional gaps in university entry continue to widen
🔵Progress on widening access has stalled
🔵Lower tariff unis still squeezed as higher and medium tariff institutions expand to plug budget gaps
🧵for details
🚨 #ALevelResultsDay : Breaking @smfthinktank.bsky.social analysis reveals stark regional uni inequalities - and these are widening over time 🚨
Students in London and the South East are far more likely to be receiving acceptances today, whilst lowest rates are seen in the NE and SW
Students in London and the South East are far more likely to be receiving acceptances today, whilst lowest rates are seen in the NE and SW
August 14, 2025 at 8:06 AM
🚨 #ALevelResultsDay : Breaking @smfthinktank.bsky.social analysis reveals stark regional uni inequalities - and these are widening over time 🚨
Students in London and the South East are far more likely to be receiving acceptances today, whilst lowest rates are seen in the NE and SW
Students in London and the South East are far more likely to be receiving acceptances today, whilst lowest rates are seen in the NE and SW
Reposted by Dani Payne
Ahead of Level 3 (A Level and T level) results day tomorrow - what trends have we seen in access over the last few years, and what should we be looking out for on the day?
Analysis from the SMF's Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social in the thread below -
Analysis from the SMF's Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social in the thread below -
For policymakers and the HE sector, #ResultsDay reveals a great deal about
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
August 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Ahead of Level 3 (A Level and T level) results day tomorrow - what trends have we seen in access over the last few years, and what should we be looking out for on the day?
Analysis from the SMF's Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social in the thread below -
Analysis from the SMF's Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social in the thread below -
Reposted by Dani Payne
For policymakers and the HE sector, #ResultsDay reveals a great deal about
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
August 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
For policymakers and the HE sector, #ResultsDay reveals a great deal about
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
- how the higher education system is functioning
- who it is reaching
- how well it is navigating a turbulent financial environment.
4️⃣ trends to keep in mind when the results and UCAS data land tomorrow🧵
Reposted by Dani Payne
Gordon Brown has called for taxes on the gambling industry (citing recent Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social research on gambling taxes) to raise funds to allow the government to tackle child poverty -
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The gambling industry is a licence to print money. Tax it properly – and turbocharge the fight against child poverty | Gordon Brown
New thinking is urgent now. I have not seen such deep poverty since I grew up in a mining and textiles town blighted by unemployment, says former prime minister Gordon Brown
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Gordon Brown has called for taxes on the gambling industry (citing recent Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social research on gambling taxes) to raise funds to allow the government to tackle child poverty -
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dani Payne
🥇Particular congrats go to @danihpayne.bsky.social @smfthinktank.bsky.social for the number 1 report 'Leave to achieve' - read it again here:
bit.ly/44sJsH3
#mostread #thinktanks
bit.ly/44sJsH3
#mostread #thinktanks
Leave to achieve - Smart Thinking
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation explores how universities can contribute to social mobility in their regions.
bit.ly
July 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🥇Particular congrats go to @danihpayne.bsky.social @smfthinktank.bsky.social for the number 1 report 'Leave to achieve' - read it again here:
bit.ly/44sJsH3
#mostread #thinktanks
bit.ly/44sJsH3
#mostread #thinktanks