Tom Stephens
@tcstephens.bsky.social
Senior Fellow @neweconomics.bsky.social | Fellow @lsepublicpolicy.bsky.social | PhD from @lsesocialpolicy.bsky.social | Fmr Jobs/Ed Lead @ Brent Council | Worked on infected blood campaign & abortion decriminalisation w/ @damedianajohnson.bsky.social
Pleased to put out this new analysis with @maxmosley.bsky.social into the deeper barriers UK workers face in getting sustainable jobs, with genuine progression opportunities and proper in-work support - including first-ever data on the job quality of people on Universal Credit.👇
NEW: Our latest analysis suggests strict conditions faced by people in receipt of benefits are forcing them into low quality jobs.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
November 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Pleased to put out this new analysis with @maxmosley.bsky.social into the deeper barriers UK workers face in getting sustainable jobs, with genuine progression opportunities and proper in-work support - including first-ever data on the job quality of people on Universal Credit.👇
Reposted by Tom Stephens
NEW: Our latest analysis suggests strict conditions faced by people in receipt of benefits are forcing them into low quality jobs.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
November 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
NEW: Our latest analysis suggests strict conditions faced by people in receipt of benefits are forcing them into low quality jobs.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
This risks undermining the government's employment targets, as people forced into low-paid, insecure jobs are less likely to stay in work.
Frustrated but hardly surprised by this growing build up of child benefit mishandling cases. They reflect systemic issues with the way our welfare services engage with claimants.
No prior engagement re issues. No chance to correct bad data. Just automatic suspension of payments (1/2)
No prior engagement re issues. No chance to correct bad data. Just automatic suspension of payments (1/2)
UK woman who booked Oslo flight but did not fly loses child benefit ‘because she emigrated’
UK woman who booked Oslo flight but did not fly loses child benefit ‘because she emigrated’
Exclusive: HMRC told Lisa Morris-Almond there was no record of her return to UK, but she did not take the trip
A woman who booked a flight from London to Oslo but never checked in or travelled has had her child benefit stopped by the UK government. Tax authorities told her their records showed she had emigrated.
Lisa Morris-Almond is one of thousands of people who have had their child benefit frozen as part of a botched crackdown on benefit fraud. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Frustrated but hardly surprised by this growing build up of child benefit mishandling cases. They reflect systemic issues with the way our welfare services engage with claimants.
No prior engagement re issues. No chance to correct bad data. Just automatic suspension of payments (1/2)
No prior engagement re issues. No chance to correct bad data. Just automatic suspension of payments (1/2)
A pretty hefty piece of @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis out today by me & @pollardtom.bsky.social, in collaboration with @jrf-uk.bsky.social, on the problems with free hours-based childcare system Labour inherited - & case for a more progressive alternative 👇[1/]
neweconomics.org/2025/07/the-...
neweconomics.org/2025/07/the-...
The Universal Family Childcare Promise
Guaranteeing support for parents and children
neweconomics.org
July 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A pretty hefty piece of @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis out today by me & @pollardtom.bsky.social, in collaboration with @jrf-uk.bsky.social, on the problems with free hours-based childcare system Labour inherited - & case for a more progressive alternative 👇[1/]
neweconomics.org/2025/07/the-...
neweconomics.org/2025/07/the-...
Reposted by Tom Stephens
NEW:
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about rising graduate unemployment.
I dug a little closer and a striking story emerged:
Unemployment is climbing among young graduate *men*, but college-educated young women are generally doing okay.
www.ft.com/content/a9ea...
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about rising graduate unemployment.
I dug a little closer and a striking story emerged:
Unemployment is climbing among young graduate *men*, but college-educated young women are generally doing okay.
www.ft.com/content/a9ea...
July 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
NEW:
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about rising graduate unemployment.
I dug a little closer and a striking story emerged:
Unemployment is climbing among young graduate *men*, but college-educated young women are generally doing okay.
www.ft.com/content/a9ea...
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about rising graduate unemployment.
I dug a little closer and a striking story emerged:
Unemployment is climbing among young graduate *men*, but college-educated young women are generally doing okay.
www.ft.com/content/a9ea...
Refreshing piece here on complexity of graduate job market, going beyond just blaming 'AI'.
Quite like this (👇) on health/care sector - you see a similar picture in UK occupational growth projections. Unsurprising if you think about it given ageing pop, but lost amidst tech-focussed policy debate!
Quite like this (👇) on health/care sector - you see a similar picture in UK occupational growth projections. Unsurprising if you think about it given ageing pop, but lost amidst tech-focussed policy debate!
July 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Refreshing piece here on complexity of graduate job market, going beyond just blaming 'AI'.
Quite like this (👇) on health/care sector - you see a similar picture in UK occupational growth projections. Unsurprising if you think about it given ageing pop, but lost amidst tech-focussed policy debate!
Quite like this (👇) on health/care sector - you see a similar picture in UK occupational growth projections. Unsurprising if you think about it given ageing pop, but lost amidst tech-focussed policy debate!
Reposted by Tom Stephens
The updated poverty impact assessment for the disability benefits cuts once again offsets the impact of not proceeding with the previous government's proposed changes to the WCA
The impact of actual changes happening in the real world is likely to be closer to 250k people pushed into poverty
The impact of actual changes happening in the real world is likely to be closer to 250k people pushed into poverty
June 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The updated poverty impact assessment for the disability benefits cuts once again offsets the impact of not proceeding with the previous government's proposed changes to the WCA
The impact of actual changes happening in the real world is likely to be closer to 250k people pushed into poverty
The impact of actual changes happening in the real world is likely to be closer to 250k people pushed into poverty
We've seen alarming trends in in-work poverty in the UK - despite rises in the Living Wage.
I've written a piece for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social looking at the role 'good work' can play in tackling this, based on @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
[1/2]
I've written a piece for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social looking at the role 'good work' can play in tackling this, based on @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
[1/2]
The role of “good jobs” in tackling in-work poverty - British Politics and Policy at LSE
Labour is right to focus on "good jobs" but, Thomas Stephens warns, this Government ambition needs to be coupled with its Industrial Strategy and deeper reforms to the welfare system.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 19, 2025 at 12:20 PM
We've seen alarming trends in in-work poverty in the UK - despite rises in the Living Wage.
I've written a piece for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social looking at the role 'good work' can play in tackling this, based on @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
[1/2]
I've written a piece for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social looking at the role 'good work' can play in tackling this, based on @neweconomics.bsky.social analysis:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
[1/2]
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Ok so yeah, this has quickly become the #1 misunderstanding about the canceled grants
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
There is a PR narrative quickly emerging about “entitlement” of elite universities, as if this $ is some sort of subsidy
Harvard & others must counter this quickly
The $ doesn’t flow into Harvard’s coffers - this is grant money, most of which goes to research the govt has agreed has social value
Harvard & others must counter this quickly
The $ doesn’t flow into Harvard’s coffers - this is grant money, most of which goes to research the govt has agreed has social value
April 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Ok so yeah, this has quickly become the #1 misunderstanding about the canceled grants
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
the grants are not “subsidies” or “entitlements” to Harvard or Princeton or whatever
they aren’t going into universities’ endowments
they are competitive contracts won by these universities to do research
Reposted by Tom Stephens
This, from a DWP press release yesterday (gov.uk/government/n...), is outrageous
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
March 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
This, from a DWP press release yesterday (gov.uk/government/n...), is outrageous
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
In two short paragraphs it peddles multiple falsehoods about the current system that will be used to justify upcoming cuts & changes
Here's what MPs & journalists should be challenging... 🧵
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Pleased to see the launch of the first output from our @irhws.bsky.social project today, exploring disabled workers' experiences of remote & hybrid working and putting forward a number of policy recommendations for the government. Thread below on some of our key findings 👇
Beyond the Office? How remote and hybrid working can help close the disability employment gap - Lancaster University
New interim report from Lancaster University, the Work Foundation, Manchester Metropolitan University and Universal Inclusion - funded by the Nuffield Foundation - reveals that five years on from the ...
www.lancaster.ac.uk
March 13, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Pleased to see the launch of the first output from our @irhws.bsky.social project today, exploring disabled workers' experiences of remote & hybrid working and putting forward a number of policy recommendations for the government. Thread below on some of our key findings 👇
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Interesting piece.
There's a related but different point which sounds techy but matters. Under UC those without kids & not on UC-health (though many will still have a health condition) don't receive a 'work allowance'. Which makes p/t work much less attractive than it should be....
There's a related but different point which sounds techy but matters. Under UC those without kids & not on UC-health (though many will still have a health condition) don't receive a 'work allowance'. Which makes p/t work much less attractive than it should be....
Government wants more people to return to work, but at the same time, is consciously eliminating the jobs that offer the best paths back into work:
Government’s employment reforms clash with its welfare plans
Jobs market policies could threaten the part-time vacancies that ease people back into work
www.ft.com
March 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Interesting piece.
There's a related but different point which sounds techy but matters. Under UC those without kids & not on UC-health (though many will still have a health condition) don't receive a 'work allowance'. Which makes p/t work much less attractive than it should be....
There's a related but different point which sounds techy but matters. Under UC those without kids & not on UC-health (though many will still have a health condition) don't receive a 'work allowance'. Which makes p/t work much less attractive than it should be....
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Civil servant source says DOGE has made agencies much less efficient: "Work has ground down to a stunning degree and management is spending a significant amount of time responding & preparing to respond to the chaos incited by the never ending barrage of EOs & accompanying memos"
Many make no sense🧵
Many make no sense🧵
March 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Civil servant source says DOGE has made agencies much less efficient: "Work has ground down to a stunning degree and management is spending a significant amount of time responding & preparing to respond to the chaos incited by the never ending barrage of EOs & accompanying memos"
Many make no sense🧵
Many make no sense🧵
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Why do we see so few working class and ethnic minority young people in professional jobs?
Important new @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research using large-scale employer data sheds new light on the processes through which these inequalities arise.
Important new @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research using large-scale employer data sheds new light on the processes through which these inequalities arise.
📢 New report out today! 📢
➡️ Access the report here: repec-cepeo.ucl.ac.uk/cepeow/cepeo...
📊 What did we find?
🔸 Most of the socio-economic background (SEB) and ethnic inequalities in entry to professional occupations are driven by employer-side decisions made during the recruitment process
➡️ Access the report here: repec-cepeo.ucl.ac.uk/cepeow/cepeo...
📊 What did we find?
🔸 Most of the socio-economic background (SEB) and ethnic inequalities in entry to professional occupations are driven by employer-side decisions made during the recruitment process
March 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Why do we see so few working class and ethnic minority young people in professional jobs?
Important new @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research using large-scale employer data sheds new light on the processes through which these inequalities arise.
Important new @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research using large-scale employer data sheds new light on the processes through which these inequalities arise.
Reposted by Tom Stephens
1/
The rocketing Council Tax burden at the bottom of the income distribution quietly recreating the worst problems of the Poll Tax www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/risi...
The rocketing Council Tax burden at the bottom of the income distribution quietly recreating the worst problems of the Poll Tax www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/risi...
February 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
1/
The rocketing Council Tax burden at the bottom of the income distribution quietly recreating the worst problems of the Poll Tax www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/risi...
The rocketing Council Tax burden at the bottom of the income distribution quietly recreating the worst problems of the Poll Tax www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/risi...
Reposted by Tom Stephens
I’m not keen on the framing of this story, which veers at least close to blaming Rayner for not reporting the messages about herself in 2022. Let’s not pretend that for women reporting sexist abuse about yourself is some kind of risk free exercise
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Angela Rayner reportedly told about offensive WhatsApp joke in 2022
Deputy prime minister reportedly told separately by two councillors about lewd messages about her on group
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I’m not keen on the framing of this story, which veers at least close to blaming Rayner for not reporting the messages about herself in 2022. Let’s not pretend that for women reporting sexist abuse about yourself is some kind of risk free exercise
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Here we see a slightly different UK pattern: young men appear more liberal than they used to be, but women becoming more so [this is 'two-speed liberalisation' in the UK vs 'polarisation' in the US/South Korea]. But nb the indicator here is patterns of party support so unpicking this tricky
February 8, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Here we see a slightly different UK pattern: young men appear more liberal than they used to be, but women becoming more so [this is 'two-speed liberalisation' in the UK vs 'polarisation' in the US/South Korea]. But nb the indicator here is patterns of party support so unpicking this tricky
Reposted by Tom Stephens
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
‘Learn to code’
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
January 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Great article from @lizziedearden.bsky.social on the Single Justice Procedure, which now accounts for more than half of all criminal cases. Vast majority have no representation for the defendant and they can be decided in under a minute - w/ lifelong consequences. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
‘I was charged for fare dodging when I was 7,000 miles away. Britain’s fast-track justice is flawed’
A Telegraph investigation has uncovered numerous wrongful prosecutions under the Single Justice Procedure, used to deal with minor offences
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Great article from @lizziedearden.bsky.social on the Single Justice Procedure, which now accounts for more than half of all criminal cases. Vast majority have no representation for the defendant and they can be decided in under a minute - w/ lifelong consequences. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01...
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
January 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Christopher Hood has died today. Public administration has lost one of its absolute best. RIP
January 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Christopher Hood has died today. Public administration has lost one of its absolute best. RIP
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Big shout out to the 36% of Lib Dem voters who don't have a favourable view of liberalism.
December 10, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Big shout out to the 36% of Lib Dem voters who don't have a favourable view of liberalism.
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Storytime.
In 2005, my mom died from cancer, but the real cause was the actions taken by an insurance company 12 years earlier. What happened to her was evil, hard to identify or fight, and hidden from the public by legal mechanisms. Because of that, I have no idea how often it has happened.
In 2005, my mom died from cancer, but the real cause was the actions taken by an insurance company 12 years earlier. What happened to her was evil, hard to identify or fight, and hidden from the public by legal mechanisms. Because of that, I have no idea how often it has happened.
December 8, 2024 at 1:45 AM
Storytime.
In 2005, my mom died from cancer, but the real cause was the actions taken by an insurance company 12 years earlier. What happened to her was evil, hard to identify or fight, and hidden from the public by legal mechanisms. Because of that, I have no idea how often it has happened.
In 2005, my mom died from cancer, but the real cause was the actions taken by an insurance company 12 years earlier. What happened to her was evil, hard to identify or fight, and hidden from the public by legal mechanisms. Because of that, I have no idea how often it has happened.
Reposted by Tom Stephens
Relatedly, what is mithering me about a lot of the commentary around the “six milestones” are the comparisons with Sunak’s 5 pledges that proceed as if the shortcoming of the pledges was that voters don’t like numbered lists anymore rather than “you do actually need to achieve the pledges”.
Rishi Sunak was not a technocrat.
Revealed: Only half of checked asylum decisions now meet the Home Office's internal quality standards
Figures have plummeted after processing shortcuts were introduced for Rishi Sunak’s backlog pledge, and appeals are rocketing
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
Figures have plummeted after processing shortcuts were introduced for Rishi Sunak’s backlog pledge, and appeals are rocketing
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
December 8, 2024 at 12:30 PM
Relatedly, what is mithering me about a lot of the commentary around the “six milestones” are the comparisons with Sunak’s 5 pledges that proceed as if the shortcoming of the pledges was that voters don’t like numbered lists anymore rather than “you do actually need to achieve the pledges”.
Reposted by Tom Stephens
A remarkable stat: Heidi Alexander’s appointment as Transport Secretary means the cabinet is now 100% state-educated for the first time in history.
November 29, 2024 at 1:52 PM
A remarkable stat: Heidi Alexander’s appointment as Transport Secretary means the cabinet is now 100% state-educated for the first time in history.