Su-Min Lee
@su-min-lee.bsky.social
Principal Economist at London Economics @le-education.bsky.social | PhD University of Cambridge | Research on childcare, education, labour markets, data science | Personal views only
The OBR leak circus this lunchtime shouldn't take away attention from some really important changes - one that might go under the radar is central government taking on the full cost of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision currently covered by LAs.
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The OBR leak circus this lunchtime shouldn't take away attention from some really important changes - one that might go under the radar is central government taking on the full cost of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision currently covered by LAs.
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
The 2026 minimum wage rates have been announced:
NLW: £12.21➡️£12.71. (+4.1%)
18-20-yo rate: £10➡️£10.85. (+8.5%)
16-17-yo rate: £7.55➡️£8.00. (+6%)
Some context & thoughts on those uprating decisions:
NLW: £12.21➡️£12.71. (+4.1%)
18-20-yo rate: £10➡️£10.85. (+8.5%)
16-17-yo rate: £7.55➡️£8.00. (+6%)
Some context & thoughts on those uprating decisions:
November 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The 2026 minimum wage rates have been announced:
NLW: £12.21➡️£12.71. (+4.1%)
18-20-yo rate: £10➡️£10.85. (+8.5%)
16-17-yo rate: £7.55➡️£8.00. (+6%)
Some context & thoughts on those uprating decisions:
NLW: £12.21➡️£12.71. (+4.1%)
18-20-yo rate: £10➡️£10.85. (+8.5%)
16-17-yo rate: £7.55➡️£8.00. (+6%)
Some context & thoughts on those uprating decisions:
🚨 Ahead of the budget today the government announced a 4% increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) from £12.21 to £12.71 (applicable to those aged 21 and older), but much of the debate today will focus on the 8.5% increase in the minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 (from £10.00 to £10.85).
November 26, 2025 at 9:07 AM
🚨 Ahead of the budget today the government announced a 4% increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) from £12.21 to £12.71 (applicable to those aged 21 and older), but much of the debate today will focus on the 8.5% increase in the minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 (from £10.00 to £10.85).
Thrilled to see our childcare policy research cited by Plaid Cymru and directly feeding into their manifesto pledge announced today at their party conference - includes a new universal offer of 20hrs per week of funded childcare for all children from the age of 9 months to 4 years…
October 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Thrilled to see our childcare policy research cited by Plaid Cymru and directly feeding into their manifesto pledge announced today at their party conference - includes a new universal offer of 20hrs per week of funded childcare for all children from the age of 9 months to 4 years…
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
NEW: The share of children receiving disability support and the share on high-level special educational support have both doubled since 2016.
THREAD on @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, @lukesibieta.bsky.social and Darcey Snape's IFS Green Budget chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org:
THREAD on @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, @lukesibieta.bsky.social and Darcey Snape's IFS Green Budget chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org:
October 3, 2025 at 7:05 AM
NEW: The share of children receiving disability support and the share on high-level special educational support have both doubled since 2016.
THREAD on @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, @lukesibieta.bsky.social and Darcey Snape's IFS Green Budget chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org:
THREAD on @eduinlatimer.bsky.social, @lukesibieta.bsky.social and Darcey Snape's IFS Green Budget chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org:
Encouraging to hear the PM at #Lab25 talk about childcare not just as an (important) avenue of getting parents into work but also to improve children’s outcomes. However, doing so raises the question about the working eligibility criteria for access to the expanded entitlements.
September 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Encouraging to hear the PM at #Lab25 talk about childcare not just as an (important) avenue of getting parents into work but also to improve children’s outcomes. However, doing so raises the question about the working eligibility criteria for access to the expanded entitlements.
Our research published today by DfE highlights the importance of not seeing the childcare sector as one monolithic block, with half the sector not being able to cover their costs.
@le-education.bsky.social
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d11e...
@le-education.bsky.social
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d11e...
September 29, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Our research published today by DfE highlights the importance of not seeing the childcare sector as one monolithic block, with half the sector not being able to cover their costs.
@le-education.bsky.social
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d11e...
@le-education.bsky.social
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d11e...
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
NEW RESEARCH: The richest households in England will be eight times more likely to benefit from the government’s expanded programme of funded childcare hours. 1/8
July 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM
NEW RESEARCH: The richest households in England will be eight times more likely to benefit from the government’s expanded programme of funded childcare hours. 1/8
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
To meet the Prime Minister’s target of having 75% of children “school-ready” by 2028, the UK Government must urgently invest in the childcare workforce to deliver their expanded childcare offer or they risk failing families.
Our new analysis in @nurseryworld.bsky.social 👇
Our new analysis in @nurseryworld.bsky.social 👇
Charity warns of 'blind spot' in childcare as pay and qualifications of staff missing from reforms - Nursery World
The Government risks failing families with its expanded childcare offer unless it urgently invests in the workforce to deliver it, Save the Children has warned.
www.nurseryworld.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
To meet the Prime Minister’s target of having 75% of children “school-ready” by 2028, the UK Government must urgently invest in the childcare workforce to deliver their expanded childcare offer or they risk failing families.
Our new analysis in @nurseryworld.bsky.social 👇
Our new analysis in @nurseryworld.bsky.social 👇
🚨 New analysis by London Economics for @savechildrenuk.bsky.social highlights significant funding shortfalls in government support for childcare, and sets out funding requirements to improve quality and inclusivity.
📍 Link to @le-education.bsky.social summary londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
📍 Link to @le-education.bsky.social summary londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
June 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
🚨 New analysis by London Economics for @savechildrenuk.bsky.social highlights significant funding shortfalls in government support for childcare, and sets out funding requirements to improve quality and inclusivity.
📍 Link to @le-education.bsky.social summary londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
📍 Link to @le-education.bsky.social summary londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
New report out today with colleagues @theifs.bsky.social and funded by @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @healthfoundation.bsky.social.
We look at what we know about the role of changing health and reported disability in the 38% rise in people claiming disability benefits since the pandemic. A 🧵 [1/10]
We look at what we know about the role of changing health and reported disability in the 38% rise in people claiming disability benefits since the pandemic. A 🧵 [1/10]
March 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
New report out today with colleagues @theifs.bsky.social and funded by @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @healthfoundation.bsky.social.
We look at what we know about the role of changing health and reported disability in the 38% rise in people claiming disability benefits since the pandemic. A 🧵 [1/10]
We look at what we know about the role of changing health and reported disability in the 38% rise in people claiming disability benefits since the pandemic. A 🧵 [1/10]
Very excited to have been awarded a @nuffieldfoundation.org research grant! At @le-education.bsky.social we'll be looking at how the cost and availability of childcare impacts where parents of young children move to/from and whether they choose to move at all.
January 2, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Very excited to have been awarded a @nuffieldfoundation.org research grant! At @le-education.bsky.social we'll be looking at how the cost and availability of childcare impacts where parents of young children move to/from and whether they choose to move at all.
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
Delighted to see the economic impact analysis of Waltham Forest College published today www.waltham.ac.uk/images/repor...
On top of the massive learning impact of the College, we identified an economic impact of £304 million (and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.6).
On top of the massive learning impact of the College, we identified an economic impact of £304 million (and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.6).
December 17, 2024 at 2:16 PM
Delighted to see the economic impact analysis of Waltham Forest College published today www.waltham.ac.uk/images/repor...
On top of the massive learning impact of the College, we identified an economic impact of £304 million (and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.6).
On top of the massive learning impact of the College, we identified an economic impact of £304 million (and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 11.6).
Great to see our @le-education.bsky.social childcare research cited by the Early Years Alliance, who highlight the significant increases in average early years fees paid for by parents: between 6.8% and 9.1% increases across age groups from 2023 to 2024.
www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/12...
www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/12...
New DfE statistics highlight sharp rises in early years fees for parents
Average parent-paid fees for early years places increased steeply between 2023 and 2024, new statistics published today by the Department for Education (DfE) show.
www.eyalliance.org.uk
December 13, 2024 at 10:27 AM
Great to see our @le-education.bsky.social childcare research cited by the Early Years Alliance, who highlight the significant increases in average early years fees paid for by parents: between 6.8% and 9.1% increases across age groups from 2023 to 2024.
www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/12...
www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/12...
📥What were the key takeaways from our analysis of a survey of over 12,000 childcare providers published by the Department for Education today? (in partnership with IFF Research)⤵️
Analysis of the 2024 DfE Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey - London Economics
London Economics were commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to undertake a comprehensive review of the childcare sector, using information from the DfE’s 2024 Survey of Childcare and Earl...
londoneconomics.co.uk
December 12, 2024 at 12:43 PM
📥What were the key takeaways from our analysis of a survey of over 12,000 childcare providers published by the Department for Education today? (in partnership with IFF Research)⤵️
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
This 2020 report on time use by @georgebangham.bsky.social remains one of my favourite RF reports. How people spend their time feels like a private thing, so this takes you past the front door more than most research can.
Couple of highlights ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Couple of highlights ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
The time of your life • Resolution Foundation
Few things in life are equal, but each day every one of us has 24 hours of time to use. How time is best spent has been the subject of an active public debate in recent years, and this question has b...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
December 10, 2024 at 8:52 AM
This 2020 report on time use by @georgebangham.bsky.social remains one of my favourite RF reports. How people spend their time feels like a private thing, so this takes you past the front door more than most research can.
Couple of highlights ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Couple of highlights ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
🏴Excellent news coming out of Scotland, where the two-child benefit cap will be effectively abolished! The two-child limit not only keeps families in poverty but holds back people and places from achieving their economic potential.
Time for the UK government to follow suit! 1/2
Time for the UK government to follow suit! 1/2
December 4, 2024 at 3:48 PM
🏴Excellent news coming out of Scotland, where the two-child benefit cap will be effectively abolished! The two-child limit not only keeps families in poverty but holds back people and places from achieving their economic potential.
Time for the UK government to follow suit! 1/2
Time for the UK government to follow suit! 1/2
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
Basically, US and UK firms that violate minimum wage laws face little probability of getting caught and pay only small fines when they do.
Via @annastansbury.bsky.social in @ilrreview.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
Via @annastansbury.bsky.social in @ilrreview.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
November 28, 2024 at 12:03 PM
Basically, US and UK firms that violate minimum wage laws face little probability of getting caught and pay only small fines when they do.
Via @annastansbury.bsky.social in @ilrreview.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
Via @annastansbury.bsky.social in @ilrreview.bsky.social
journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
With 1️⃣📉 a 31% drop in childminders between 2018-2023 and 2️⃣📈 an unprecedented £4bn planned increase in annual childcare entitlement spending, it's crucial to understand the financial health of the sector and the cost of childcare.⤵️
londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
@le-education.bsky.social
londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
@le-education.bsky.social
November 28, 2024 at 5:38 PM
With 1️⃣📉 a 31% drop in childminders between 2018-2023 and 2️⃣📈 an unprecedented £4bn planned increase in annual childcare entitlement spending, it's crucial to understand the financial health of the sector and the cost of childcare.⤵️
londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
@le-education.bsky.social
londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/publica...
@le-education.bsky.social
▶️NEW: Excited to see our paper investigating childcare costs and the financial health of the childcare sector published by the Department for Education today.
📄Read summary/full report here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673b14...
⏩@le-education.bsky.social for more childcare analysis.
📄Read summary/full report here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673b14...
⏩@le-education.bsky.social for more childcare analysis.
November 28, 2024 at 5:03 PM
▶️NEW: Excited to see our paper investigating childcare costs and the financial health of the childcare sector published by the Department for Education today.
📄Read summary/full report here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673b14...
⏩@le-education.bsky.social for more childcare analysis.
📄Read summary/full report here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673b14...
⏩@le-education.bsky.social for more childcare analysis.
Reposted by Su-Min Lee
Cost of child care for one child can be more than rent in some US counties blog.dol.gov/2024/11/19/n...
NEW DATA: Childcare costs remain an almost prohibitive expense
We updated our National Database of Childcare Prices with data from 2019-2022 and found that U.S. families spend between 8.9% and 16.0% of their median income on full-day care for just one child.
blog.dol.gov
November 19, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Cost of child care for one child can be more than rent in some US counties blog.dol.gov/2024/11/19/n...
How does public transport impact parents' access to childcare? Inequalities between parents who do and don't drive hugely vary across the country. #childcare #policy #education #economics
November 22, 2024 at 11:27 AM
How does public transport impact parents' access to childcare? Inequalities between parents who do and don't drive hugely vary across the country. #childcare #policy #education #economics