SPA Employment policy group
@spaemploysocsec.bsky.social
We're the Social Policy Association's employment policy group. Account managed by Hayley Bennett. Group convened by Sioned Pearce, Ceri Hughes, and Levana Magnus
Pinned
Going to the @easp-spa-2025.bsky.social next week? Look out for (thread)...
Thurs 3rd July 3pm-4.30pm: 'Place-based approaches to employment and skill support' With papers by Elke Heins, Charlotte Zealley and Sioned Pearce.
Thurs 3rd July 3pm-4.30pm: 'Place-based approaches to employment and skill support' With papers by Elke Heins, Charlotte Zealley and Sioned Pearce.
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
NEW✨ Is neoliberalism being replaced by something even more capitalist?
@brankomilan.bsky.social 's new book, The Great Global Transformation: National Market Liberalism in a Multipolar World reviewed by Ivan Radanović.
@stone-lis.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social
@brankomilan.bsky.social 's new book, The Great Global Transformation: National Market Liberalism in a Multipolar World reviewed by Ivan Radanović.
@stone-lis.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social
Branko Milanović – is neoliberalism being replaced by something more capitalist? - LSE Review of Books
The Great Global Transformation by Branko Milanović explores China's economic rise, a new elite class & neoliberalism being replaced by a new international order
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM
NEW✨ Is neoliberalism being replaced by something even more capitalist?
@brankomilan.bsky.social 's new book, The Great Global Transformation: National Market Liberalism in a Multipolar World reviewed by Ivan Radanović.
@stone-lis.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social
@brankomilan.bsky.social 's new book, The Great Global Transformation: National Market Liberalism in a Multipolar World reviewed by Ivan Radanović.
@stone-lis.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
There are less than two weeks left to apply for the British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships. The scheme supports senior researchers in the humanities and social sciences towards the completion of a major piece of research. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3VMeTZ9
October 29, 2025 at 5:10 PM
There are less than two weeks left to apply for the British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships. The scheme supports senior researchers in the humanities and social sciences towards the completion of a major piece of research. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3VMeTZ9
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
.@mind.org.uk's response to Reform's proposals to "cut PIP payments to people with anxiety" in this BBC News
piece: bbc.co.uk/news/article...
So much of the political debate around PIP betrays a complete lack of understanding of what the benefit is for, who gets it & how it's assessed
piece: bbc.co.uk/news/article...
So much of the political debate around PIP betrays a complete lack of understanding of what the benefit is for, who gets it & how it's assessed
October 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
.@mind.org.uk's response to Reform's proposals to "cut PIP payments to people with anxiety" in this BBC News
piece: bbc.co.uk/news/article...
So much of the political debate around PIP betrays a complete lack of understanding of what the benefit is for, who gets it & how it's assessed
piece: bbc.co.uk/news/article...
So much of the political debate around PIP betrays a complete lack of understanding of what the benefit is for, who gets it & how it's assessed
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
If you’ve not checked these out and you’re interested in anything to do with skills at a local/regional level, then you should! #SkillsEngland
department-for-education.shinyapps.io/local-skills...
department-for-education.shinyapps.io/local-skills...
Local Skills Dashboard
Data dashboard presenting local skills data from Skills England.
department-for-education.shinyapps.io
October 30, 2025 at 7:57 AM
If you’ve not checked these out and you’re interested in anything to do with skills at a local/regional level, then you should! #SkillsEngland
department-for-education.shinyapps.io/local-skills...
department-for-education.shinyapps.io/local-skills...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
As things stand, child poverty is on track to reach record highs by 2029-30.
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
October 30, 2025 at 8:30 AM
As things stand, child poverty is on track to reach record highs by 2029-30.
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
By then, we predict that more than one-in-three British children (34 per cent) would be growing up in poverty.
That's the highest rate of child poverty we'd have seen since 1961 ⤵️ buff.ly/qVc9CWs
Now available: www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/res... co-edited by policy group member Elke Heins, with contributions from policy group members: @haylesben.bsky.social, @chrisgrover.bsky.social @heejungchung.bsky.social @katyjones.bsky.social
Research Handbook on Social Policy and Employment
‘This Handbook has an extraordinarily comprehensive historical and global range, placing current developments in a strong perspective of historical development and including countries in the global so...
www.e-elgar.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Now available: www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/res... co-edited by policy group member Elke Heins, with contributions from policy group members: @haylesben.bsky.social, @chrisgrover.bsky.social @heejungchung.bsky.social @katyjones.bsky.social
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
"Digital first Universal Credit and street-level discretion within screen-level implementation: staff, claimant and stakeholder perspectives" by @profsharonwright.bsky.social @lauraresearch.bsky.social @abestew.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Digital first Universal Credit and street-level discretion within screen-level implementation: staff, claimant and stakeholder perspectives
The implementation of social security in rich nations involves a move away from ‘street-level bureaucracy’ towards ‘screen-level’ interfaces. The UK was at the forefront of innovation with the ‘dig...
www.tandfonline.com
July 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
"Digital first Universal Credit and street-level discretion within screen-level implementation: staff, claimant and stakeholder perspectives" by @profsharonwright.bsky.social @lauraresearch.bsky.social @abestew.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
The economics of the justice system is the theme of the 2025 @resmedia.bsky.social Summit, which is sponsored by the Foundation & taking place at our office on 2 December. We hope the event provides an opportunity for academic economists to gain an understanding of the work we fund.
bit.ly/46JttXP
bit.ly/46JttXP
Strategic Fund | Apply for Funding | Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation £15m Strategic Fund is now open for ambitious, interdisciplinary research projects. Check your eligibility and apply for funding.
bit.ly
October 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The economics of the justice system is the theme of the 2025 @resmedia.bsky.social Summit, which is sponsored by the Foundation & taking place at our office on 2 December. We hope the event provides an opportunity for academic economists to gain an understanding of the work we fund.
bit.ly/46JttXP
bit.ly/46JttXP
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
Comment from our Head of Research, @alicepmartin.bsky.social, on figures from the Office for National Statistics on the impact of motherhood on monthly employee earnings and employment status.
The full statement is available at: lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
The full statement is available at: lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
October 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Comment from our Head of Research, @alicepmartin.bsky.social, on figures from the Office for National Statistics on the impact of motherhood on monthly employee earnings and employment status.
The full statement is available at: lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
The full statement is available at: lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
47 per cent of families in the bottom half of the income distribution have less than £1,000 in liquid savings, almost three times the proportion in the top of half of the distribution.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
October 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
47 per cent of families in the bottom half of the income distribution have less than £1,000 in liquid savings, almost three times the proportion in the top of half of the distribution.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
Almost half (47%) of families in the bottom half of the income distribution have less than £1,000 in liquid savings, almost three times the proportion as the top of half.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
September 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Almost half (47%) of families in the bottom half of the income distribution have less than £1,000 in liquid savings, almost three times the proportion as the top of half.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
These are the sort of funds that would be used to cover urgent needs - like a car break-down of broken boiler.
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
A good little chart from the Parliamentary Library showing how almost all social spending by the Commonwealth is already means-tested #auspol
September 17, 2025 at 2:19 AM
A good little chart from the Parliamentary Library showing how almost all social spending by the Commonwealth is already means-tested #auspol
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
NEW: Previous state pension age increases have not been felt equally: women already out of employment in their late 50s were particularly hard hit by the rise from 60 to 65 in the 2010s.
THREAD on Jonathan Cribb, Anna Henry and @heidikarj.bsky.social’s new research on state pension rises:
THREAD on Jonathan Cribb, Anna Henry and @heidikarj.bsky.social’s new research on state pension rises:
September 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM
NEW: Previous state pension age increases have not been felt equally: women already out of employment in their late 50s were particularly hard hit by the rise from 60 to 65 in the 2010s.
THREAD on Jonathan Cribb, Anna Henry and @heidikarj.bsky.social’s new research on state pension rises:
THREAD on Jonathan Cribb, Anna Henry and @heidikarj.bsky.social’s new research on state pension rises:
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
Early Career Researchers – get connected with the Administrative Data Research initiative, which gives access to administrative datasets that are not publicly available. Book now for our @bsaecr.bsky.social workshop, 22 October, online tinyurl.com/mrckf2fa
September 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Early Career Researchers – get connected with the Administrative Data Research initiative, which gives access to administrative datasets that are not publicly available. Book now for our @bsaecr.bsky.social workshop, 22 October, online tinyurl.com/mrckf2fa
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
What happened over the summer in the world of #CollectiveBargaining? ☀️ 🤝
🔺Austria: Collective agreements for freelancers possible from 2026
🔺 France: Unions unite against Government budget plan
🔺 Slovenia: Reduced working hours for older workers
Catch up with our newsletter 🔗 etui.org/ZR2
🔺Austria: Collective agreements for freelancers possible from 2026
🔺 France: Unions unite against Government budget plan
🔺 Slovenia: Reduced working hours for older workers
Catch up with our newsletter 🔗 etui.org/ZR2
September 17, 2025 at 8:10 AM
What happened over the summer in the world of #CollectiveBargaining? ☀️ 🤝
🔺Austria: Collective agreements for freelancers possible from 2026
🔺 France: Unions unite against Government budget plan
🔺 Slovenia: Reduced working hours for older workers
Catch up with our newsletter 🔗 etui.org/ZR2
🔺Austria: Collective agreements for freelancers possible from 2026
🔺 France: Unions unite against Government budget plan
🔺 Slovenia: Reduced working hours for older workers
Catch up with our newsletter 🔗 etui.org/ZR2
If you're London or South East England based, you might be interested in this role:
Head of Social Policy, and New Economics Foundation
neweconomics.org/about/work-w...
Head of Social Policy, and New Economics Foundation
neweconomics.org/about/work-w...
Head of Social Policy
Together we can change the rules to protect the planet, share the wealth and give everyone a say in how the economy is run.
neweconomics.org
September 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
If you're London or South East England based, you might be interested in this role:
Head of Social Policy, and New Economics Foundation
neweconomics.org/about/work-w...
Head of Social Policy, and New Economics Foundation
neweconomics.org/about/work-w...
SPA funded event led by Elke Heins and Steven Ballantyne in Edinburgh. 18th September Sign-up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/collaborat...
Collaborative Workshop: Skills in the UK
Challenges and Opportunities for Boosting
Economic Growth and Achieving Net Zero
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
SPA funded event led by Elke Heins and Steven Ballantyne in Edinburgh. 18th September Sign-up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/collaborat...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
Research briefing launch event: "Successfully engaging paid care workers in organising: Challenges, opportunities, and what works".
12pm to 1pm, 18th September 2025
via Zoom
w/ Duncan Fisher( @duncfsh.bsky.social) and Liam Foster, Uni of Sheffield.
Info ▶️ social-policy.org.uk/events/resea...
12pm to 1pm, 18th September 2025
via Zoom
w/ Duncan Fisher( @duncfsh.bsky.social) and Liam Foster, Uni of Sheffield.
Info ▶️ social-policy.org.uk/events/resea...
Research briefing launch event [online]: Successfully engaging paid care workers in organising: Challenges, opportunities, and what works - Social Policy Association
This online event will introduce a new research briefing and generate discussion of organising and union activity among paid adult social care (ASC) workers and [...]
social-policy.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Research briefing launch event: "Successfully engaging paid care workers in organising: Challenges, opportunities, and what works".
12pm to 1pm, 18th September 2025
via Zoom
w/ Duncan Fisher( @duncfsh.bsky.social) and Liam Foster, Uni of Sheffield.
Info ▶️ social-policy.org.uk/events/resea...
12pm to 1pm, 18th September 2025
via Zoom
w/ Duncan Fisher( @duncfsh.bsky.social) and Liam Foster, Uni of Sheffield.
Info ▶️ social-policy.org.uk/events/resea...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
RF report on the jobs market data is interesting.
Good news: they reckon the ONS data on employment and inactivity looks to be broadly right!
Bad news: they reckon the trends are pretty much the opposite to what the official data says and rather grim.
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Good news: they reckon the ONS data on employment and inactivity looks to be broadly right!
Bad news: they reckon the trends are pretty much the opposite to what the official data says and rather grim.
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
August 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
RF report on the jobs market data is interesting.
Good news: they reckon the ONS data on employment and inactivity looks to be broadly right!
Bad news: they reckon the trends are pretty much the opposite to what the official data says and rather grim.
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Good news: they reckon the ONS data on employment and inactivity looks to be broadly right!
Bad news: they reckon the trends are pretty much the opposite to what the official data says and rather grim.
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
There are a few jobs going in the RF research team - more info here: www.resolutionfoundation.org/about-us/opp...
Ready for your next step? We're hiring! 📣
If you have strong quantitative research skills and a commitment to raising living standards in the UK, you might be the right fit for our team.
Find out more about becoming an Economist or Research & Policy Analyst ⤵️ buff.ly/7MNZRR4
If you have strong quantitative research skills and a commitment to raising living standards in the UK, you might be the right fit for our team.
Find out more about becoming an Economist or Research & Policy Analyst ⤵️ buff.ly/7MNZRR4
August 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
There are a few jobs going in the RF research team - more info here: www.resolutionfoundation.org/about-us/opp...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
Next week is back to school for many
Of equal importance, it will also see the next edition of my Digital Welfare State newsletter!
Sign up now to receive a bumper pack of things you might have missed, interesting reading and food for thought - read all about it ⬇️
Of equal importance, it will also see the next edition of my Digital Welfare State newsletter!
Sign up now to receive a bumper pack of things you might have missed, interesting reading and food for thought - read all about it ⬇️
Digital welfare state: origins, controversies, research — ABD Consultancy
How are governments worldwise using AI and other tech to administer the welfare state? Find out about research, policy and investigations into the digital welfare state, including digital surveillance...
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Next week is back to school for many
Of equal importance, it will also see the next edition of my Digital Welfare State newsletter!
Sign up now to receive a bumper pack of things you might have missed, interesting reading and food for thought - read all about it ⬇️
Of equal importance, it will also see the next edition of my Digital Welfare State newsletter!
Sign up now to receive a bumper pack of things you might have missed, interesting reading and food for thought - read all about it ⬇️
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
When and how should the government protect existing claimants from benefit cuts?
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @matthewoulton.bsky.social discuss trade-offs involved when designing transitional protections for benefit cuts & what it means for recent benefit reforms:
ifs.org.uk/articles/whe...
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @matthewoulton.bsky.social discuss trade-offs involved when designing transitional protections for benefit cuts & what it means for recent benefit reforms:
ifs.org.uk/articles/whe...
When and how should the government protect existing claimants from benefit cuts? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Important trade-offs are involved when designing transitional protections for benefit cuts.
ifs.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
When and how should the government protect existing claimants from benefit cuts?
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @matthewoulton.bsky.social discuss trade-offs involved when designing transitional protections for benefit cuts & what it means for recent benefit reforms:
ifs.org.uk/articles/whe...
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @matthewoulton.bsky.social discuss trade-offs involved when designing transitional protections for benefit cuts & what it means for recent benefit reforms:
ifs.org.uk/articles/whe...
Reposted by SPA Employment policy group
What's the best way to pay people who are involved in a research project? It's a challenge I've encountered many times - how to pay people without bank accounts, or worried about the interaction with their benefits?
This looks like a super useful resource:
This looks like a super useful resource:
Payment for Involvement Playbook [Free Resource]
Your comprehensive guide to creating a fair and equitable payment for involvement policy.
thesocialchangeagency.org
August 27, 2025 at 8:59 AM
What's the best way to pay people who are involved in a research project? It's a challenge I've encountered many times - how to pay people without bank accounts, or worried about the interaction with their benefits?
This looks like a super useful resource:
This looks like a super useful resource:
New article: "More than a mental health issue: broadening the concept of ‘work capability’ through qualitative secondary analysis of claimant narratives" by @annieirvine.bsky.social and Cassandra Lovelock:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
August 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
New article: "More than a mental health issue: broadening the concept of ‘work capability’ through qualitative secondary analysis of claimant narratives" by @annieirvine.bsky.social and Cassandra Lovelock:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...