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PBE
@pbe.co.uk
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Economics to improve lives

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pbe.co.uk
We’re delighted to announce our nominees for this year’s Smart Thinking Awards!

Congratulations to Nadine Cameron and @karol122.bsky.social. Looking forward to the awards ceremony in November @smartthinking.bsky.social.

#ThinkTankAwards #Wellbeing
An award nomination card with a photograph of Karol. An award nomination card with a photograph of Nadine.
October 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
pbe.co.uk
📅Join us on Monday at the Lib Dem conference for a panel discussion on low wellbeing

Wellbeing poverty: Boosting life satisfaction for those that need it most

Monday 22 September from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Shaftesbury Suite, Marriott Hotel
Wellbeing poverty: Boosting life satisfaction for those that need it most. The card shows 6 speakers, Jake Eliot, Alex Brewer MP, Jo Swinson, Danny Chambers MP, Paul Farmer and Natalie Webb
September 19, 2025 at 9:25 AM
pbe.co.uk
Around 3 million people with the lowest wellbeing in the UK fall into the category of “wellbeing poverty”.

Our UK wellbeing forecast suggests the reinforcing effect of declining general and mental health, combined with loneliness, risks creating a “wellbeing poverty trap”.
pbe.co.uk/publications...
3 key stats on drivers of low wellbeing: 44% of people whose mental health impacts them all the time live in wellbeing poverty. 35% of people with poor general health live in wellbeing poverty. 32% of people who often feel lonely live in wellbeing poverty.
August 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
pbe.co.uk
Did you miss our last update?

Get our September roundup straight to your inbox, including:
✨Expert insights on young people's wellbeing
📊Where you can find us at party conferences
📢Updates on our latest projects, events & workshops

Sign up: pbe.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
A blue card with an envelope icon. Inside the envelope is a screenshot of the PBE newsletter. the text in the yellow box reads "Sign up to our newsletter!"
August 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
pbe.co.uk
National surveys often underrepresent LGBTQ+ young people, and standard datasets rarely reflect the full diversity of gender and sexual identities. Our new report with Free2B addresses part of that gap, evaluating the Free2Talk mentoring programme.

🔗 pbe.co.uk/publications...

#ChildrensWellbeing
A square tile with a photograph of a young person wearing rainbow face paint. It shows two of the key stats from the report: Higher mental health risks, 3x the rate of their non-LGBTQ+ peers. and £15,600 per participant of annual wellbeing benefits from the Free2Talk programme.
August 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
pbe.co.uk
Community-based, identity-affirming services like Free2Talk are essential. Policy & funding must ensure they’re accessible to every LGBTQ+ young person. 7/7

Read more: pbe.co.uk/publications...
A quote card from Karol, the report author. It reads "Providing targeted, identity-affirming support is not only the right thing to do; it builds stronger families, healthier communities, and a more inclusive society.”
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
pbe.co.uk
Drawing on research from ‪‪@beewelluk.bsky.social,‬ we compared mental wellbeing scores between Free2B participants and a matched group. ‬We found Free2B participants experienced a far greater improvement in wellbeing over time. 6/7 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
A bar chart titled 'Average SWEMWBS wellbeing score for Free2B participants and comparison group'. The chart compares average SWEMWBS wellbeing scores for Free2B participants and a matched comparison group at baseline and follow-up. At baseline, scores were similar: 18.22 for Free2B and 18.24 for the comparison group. At follow-up, Free2B participants’ scores increased to 22.65, while the comparison group rose slightly to 18.95, showing a larger improvement among Free2B participants.
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
pbe.co.uk
Our analysis finds Free2Talk boosts life satisfaction by 0.96 points on a 0-10 scale. That’s 30% more than the average gain from recovering from depression. 4/7
Key takeaways: LGBTQ+ young people aged 14–19 face significantly higher mental health risks, nearly three times the rate of their non-LGBTQ+ peers. The Free2Talk programme is estimated to improve wellbeing by 0.96 points on the life satisfaction scale (0-10). Around 30% more than the average gain seen when someone recovers from depression. Annual wellbeing benefits of Free2Talk are valued at £15,600 per participant. If the effects of the programme are sustained over a year, then it would deliver £4 of wellbeing benefits for every £1 spent.
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
pbe.co.uk
The numbers are stark: 58–68% LGBTQ+ young people surveyed report suicidal thoughts, & rates of anxiety, depression & self-harm are far higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers.

Many LGBTQ+ young people face bullying at school, stigma at home, & rejection in wider society, often with little support. 2/7
A key stats card: Over half (58–68%) report suicidal thoughts. As many as 1 in 5 say they’ve attempted suicide. LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to be bullied at school. They often face stigma or rejection at home and in wider society. Rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm are significantly higher than among their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
pbe.co.uk
LGBTQ+ young people in the UK face a severe, unequal mental health crisis.

Services like Free2Talk offer life-changing, cost-effective help, but they need greater support. 1/7

pbe.co.uk/publications...
A square tile with a photograph of a young person wearing a rainbow flag as a cape. It shows two of the key stats from the report: Higher mental health risks, 3x the rate of their non-LGBTQ+ peers. and £15,600 per participant of annual wellbeing benefits from the Free2Talk programme.
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
pbe.co.uk
But the NHS can’t do it alone. We need a cross-sector approach, with support from charities like Place2Be, working in 650+ schools with counselling and training. 5/5

Read the report by Rachel Gomez & @jonfranklin.bsky.social on shifting from treatment to prevention: pbe.co.uk/publications...
“This research makes clear that expanding access to effective mental health support is not only a matter of fairness for children, but a strategic investment in society’s future. “Prioritising this now means giving every child the chance to thrive, with long-term benefits for them, their families and the rest of society.” - Rachel Gomez, Senior Economist and report author
August 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
pbe.co.uk
Better mental health could:
📈 Boost GCSE results by up to 1.6 grades per child
📉 Cut exclusion risk by 0.4 percentage points
📉 Reduce needs for SEN support by 1.1 percentage points

Early intervention works, and it makes economic sense. 4/5
A bar chart of the economic benefits arising from better GCSE attainment associated with a one-point SDQ improvement. It shows that this mental health improvement at any age is associated with thousands in economic benefits via attainment, which in turn impacts earnings.
August 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
pbe.co.uk
That’s £5,300 per child, through:
✅ £50bn in higher lifetime earnings
✅ £606m in reduced Special Educational Needs (SEN) support
✅ £17m in lower school exclusion costs

We found even modest improvements can make a major difference. 3/5
Key takeaways: One in five UK children aged 8 to 16 now likely have a probable mental health condition (NHS Digital, 2023). Just 36% of children referred to NHS mental health services are seen within 4 weeks, with tens of thousands waiting over 2 years. Addressing 10 years of worsening children’s mental health could deliver £51bn in benefits to today’s school-aged children. That’s £5,300 per child, through: £50bn in higher lifetime earnings £606m in reduced Special Educational Needs (SEN) support demand £17m in lower school exclusion costs
August 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
pbe.co.uk
📢 The £51bn case for improving children’s mental health

1 in 5 UK children aged 8–16 likely have a probable mental health condition (NHS Digital, 2023). Yet only 36% referred to NHS services are seen within 4 weeks. Thousands wait over 2 years. 1/5

New report: pbe.co.uk/publications...
A line chart of the average SDQ of children in the UK between 2011/12 and 2021/22, according to Understanding Society data. It shows that, for selected ages 5, 8, 11 and 14, average SDQ levels have increased over this time, meaning worse children's mental health.
August 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
pbe.co.uk
We're hiring: Events and Communications Lead (freelance)

We are looking for fixed term support delivering our events and digital communications

📆Fixed term September to November 2025, part or full-time
✨Daily rate: £200 - £250 (inclusive of VAT)

Find out more and apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/ev...
A job vacancy image that reads "Join our team. Events and Communications Lead (freelance role)". Next to the text is a photograph of the PBE team.
August 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
pbe.co.uk
Did you miss our newsletter?

Sign up for PBE’s next monthly update for:
✨Expert insights on charity sector impact & low wellbeing
📊Pro bono support for charities
📢Updates on our latest projects, events & workshops

Subscribe: pbe.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
A blue card with an envelope icon. Inside the envelope is a screenshot of the PBE newsletter. the text in the yellow box reads "Sign up to our newsletter!"
August 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
pbe.co.uk
🚨 We’re hiring an Events Manager (£46–49k)
🕙 Deadline: 10AM, Wednesday 30 July 2025

We’re on the lookout for a strategic, resourceful events professional to lead our high-profile programme.

Think that could be you?

👉 Find out more and apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/ev...
Image that says join our team, events manager.
July 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
pbe.co.uk
📢 Volunteer with Ella’s, a charity supporting survivors of trafficking.

Help build an Excel dashboard & improve impact reporting. ~5 days work, Aug–Sept. UK-based only. Use your data skills for good!

Apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/da...

#DataForGood #Volunteering
Ella's logo
July 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
pbe.co.uk
Our panellists are Charlie Courtney, Economic Policy Manager, Confederation of British Industry; Jo Swinson, Director, Partners for a New Economy; Jon Franklin, Chief Economist, PBE; Sufina Ahmad, Director at John Ellerman Foundation. #PBEEvents
A quote card that reads " People don't see DP growth as making a difference in their everyday lives" A quote card that reads " This is the kind of conversation that should be happening in parliament. We need a comprehensive Wellbeing Review."
July 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
pbe.co.uk
This morning, Heather Stewart is chairing our discussions about how to integrate wellbeing into policymaking in a coherent way. #PBEEevents

www.youtube.com/live/hxKEySZ...
“We hear a lot about growth. We don’t hear enough about people’s life experiences and quality of life.” -Heather Stewart, Economics Editor at The Guardian
July 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
pbe.co.uk
Kicking off this morning's event on low wellbeing in the UK, @jonfranklin.bsky.social shares research from our new report: pbe.co.uk/publications...

Watch the event: www.youtube.com/live/hxKEySZ...
A room full of people looking toward a stage, where a presentation is underway
July 3, 2025 at 8:56 AM
pbe.co.uk
Affordability is the biggest driver of the private renter wellbeing penalty.

Read Bridget's story from @generationrent.bsky.social in our new report on low wellbeing in the UK:
pbe.co.uk/publications...
A quote card from Bridget, a private renter. It reads "“I’ve been renting privately all my adult life, but getting a sudden rent hike still comes as a shock and has been very stressful, especially as the landlord gave us just one month’s notice. This is nearly a 20% increase! As a single parent living with my two children, with one income to live on, this will have a huge impact on my finances. I feel broken down by this system.”
July 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
pbe.co.uk
“We must prioritise wellbeing as a headline metric and set ambitious targets for reducing the number of people trapped in wellbeing poverty”, says @Jon.franklin.bskysocial.com.

Read the report: pbe.co.uk/publications...
A quote card from Jon Franklin, that reads "These findings should set alarm bells ringing in Whitehall. “In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, millions are still experiencing a poor quality of life with day-to-day lives shaped by disconnection and poor physical and mental health. We must move beyond GDP growth as the sole barometer of national progress. “To build a society that delivers for everyone, we must prioritise wellbeing as a headline metric and set ambitious targets for reducing the number of people trapped in wellbeing poverty.”
July 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
pbe.co.uk
Deteriorating trends in physical health, mental health and loneliness could push up the economic cost of wellbeing poverty to £110 billion per year by 2030, without further action. 5/8
An infographic showing the wellbeing poverty trap of general health, loneliness and mental health
July 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM
pbe.co.uk
The report highlights the reinforcing effects of poor health, mental ill-health and loneliness in driving this increase since 2019. 4/8
Chart titled 'Proportion of adults living in wellbeing poverty: contributions to change 2019 to 2022' showing the contribution of general health, mental health, loneliness, population growth and other factors to the change in wellbeing poverty from 2.47 in 2019 to 3.02 in 2022.
July 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM