Resolution Foundation
@resolutionfoundation.org
The Resolution Foundation is an independent think-tank dedicated to lifting living standards in the UK.
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Hello and welcome to all our new followers π
To ensure you're getting all the best analysis and insights, we've made a starter pack of all our staff on Bluesky. Make sure to give them a follow too ‡οΈ
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To ensure you're getting all the best analysis and insights, we've made a starter pack of all our staff on Bluesky. Make sure to give them a follow too ‡οΈ
go.bsky.app/5Anuz76
Unsung Britain deserves better.
Read the full book to understand the scale of the challenge β and tune in to the livestream of our launch event, kicking off at 9am β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TbXMmu8
Read the full book to understand the scale of the challenge β and tune in to the livestream of our launch event, kicking off at 9am β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TbXMmu8
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Unsung Britain deserves better.
Read the full book to understand the scale of the challenge β and tune in to the livestream of our launch event, kicking off at 9am β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TbXMmu8
Read the full book to understand the scale of the challenge β and tune in to the livestream of our launch event, kicking off at 9am β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TbXMmu8
The forgotten million: 1 million people in lower-income families provide 35+ hours of unpaid care per week β the equivalent of a full-time job.
This care gap between rich and poor is widening, trapping carers (especially older women) outside the labour market.
This care gap between rich and poor is widening, trapping carers (especially older women) outside the labour market.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
The forgotten million: 1 million people in lower-income families provide 35+ hours of unpaid care per week β the equivalent of a full-time job.
This care gap between rich and poor is widening, trapping carers (especially older women) outside the labour market.
This care gap between rich and poor is widening, trapping carers (especially older women) outside the labour market.
The countryβs health is deteriorating. Disability rates in Unsung Britain jumped from 19% to 30% since the mid-1990s.
Crucially, 83% of this rise ISN'T explained by ageing β mental health problems among younger people are a major driver, restricting work and increasing care needs.
Crucially, 83% of this rise ISN'T explained by ageing β mental health problems among younger people are a major driver, restricting work and increasing care needs.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
The countryβs health is deteriorating. Disability rates in Unsung Britain jumped from 19% to 30% since the mid-1990s.
Crucially, 83% of this rise ISN'T explained by ageing β mental health problems among younger people are a major driver, restricting work and increasing care needs.
Crucially, 83% of this rise ISN'T explained by ageing β mental health problems among younger people are a major driver, restricting work and increasing care needs.
Recent inflation hit the poorest hardest. Between Dec 2019 and Sept 2025, inflation for the poorest ran 0.7pp faster than for the richest β dragging down real incomes at the bottom by 3%+ relative to the top. Essentials like energy and food rose most.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Recent inflation hit the poorest hardest. Between Dec 2019 and Sept 2025, inflation for the poorest ran 0.7pp faster than for the richest β dragging down real incomes at the bottom by 3%+ relative to the top. Essentials like energy and food rose most.
Housing tells the starkest story. Weβve seen a *massive* swing away from homeownership into expensive private renting.
Mortgaged families dropped from 30% to 17% of Unsung Britain, while private renters nearly doubled. Almost as many people live with parents (15%) as own with a mortgage (17%).
Mortgaged families dropped from 30% to 17% of Unsung Britain, while private renters nearly doubled. Almost as many people live with parents (15%) as own with a mortgage (17%).
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Housing tells the starkest story. Weβve seen a *massive* swing away from homeownership into expensive private renting.
Mortgaged families dropped from 30% to 17% of Unsung Britain, while private renters nearly doubled. Almost as many people live with parents (15%) as own with a mortgage (17%).
Mortgaged families dropped from 30% to 17% of Unsung Britain, while private renters nearly doubled. Almost as many people live with parents (15%) as own with a mortgage (17%).
Unsung Britain's face is changing.
The white majority share has dropped 14 percentage points since the mid-1990s, with growing South Asian, Black, and mixed heritage communities.
Britain has become more diverse β but everyone is facing challenging economic headwinds.
The white majority share has dropped 14 percentage points since the mid-1990s, with growing South Asian, Black, and mixed heritage communities.
Britain has become more diverse β but everyone is facing challenging economic headwinds.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Unsung Britain's face is changing.
The white majority share has dropped 14 percentage points since the mid-1990s, with growing South Asian, Black, and mixed heritage communities.
Britain has become more diverse β but everyone is facing challenging economic headwinds.
The white majority share has dropped 14 percentage points since the mid-1990s, with growing South Asian, Black, and mixed heritage communities.
Britain has become more diverse β but everyone is facing challenging economic headwinds.
Council Tax has become increasingly regressive.
It now takes nearly 5% of income from the poorest families but barely 1% from the richest. For many, it's become a grinding monthly obligation to rival the Poll Tax.
It now takes nearly 5% of income from the poorest families but barely 1% from the richest. For many, it's become a grinding monthly obligation to rival the Poll Tax.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Council Tax has become increasingly regressive.
It now takes nearly 5% of income from the poorest families but barely 1% from the richest. For many, it's become a grinding monthly obligation to rival the Poll Tax.
It now takes nearly 5% of income from the poorest families but barely 1% from the richest. For many, it's become a grinding monthly obligation to rival the Poll Tax.
The bad news: while employment rose, benefits were slashed.
Since 2010, benefit cuts have hit the poorest hardest β costing families at the very bottom 15% of their income on average. Looking across the poorest half, benefit income fell Β£1,600/year between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
Since 2010, benefit cuts have hit the poorest hardest β costing families at the very bottom 15% of their income on average. Looking across the poorest half, benefit income fell Β£1,600/year between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
The bad news: while employment rose, benefits were slashed.
Since 2010, benefit cuts have hit the poorest hardest β costing families at the very bottom 15% of their income on average. Looking across the poorest half, benefit income fell Β£1,600/year between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
Since 2010, benefit cuts have hit the poorest hardest β costing families at the very bottom 15% of their income on average. Looking across the poorest half, benefit income fell Β£1,600/year between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
Even a higher minimum wage doesn't reach as far as you'd think.
When you factor in benefit taper rates and taxes, gains are spread across the income spectrum β with the peak boost actually hitting the middle, not the bottom.
When you factor in benefit taper rates and taxes, gains are spread across the income spectrum β with the peak boost actually hitting the middle, not the bottom.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Even a higher minimum wage doesn't reach as far as you'd think.
When you factor in benefit taper rates and taxes, gains are spread across the income spectrum β with the peak boost actually hitting the middle, not the bottom.
When you factor in benefit taper rates and taxes, gains are spread across the income spectrum β with the peak boost actually hitting the middle, not the bottom.
The good news: employment in poorer families has surged by 11 percentage points since the mid-1990s.
This accounts for ALL the UK's jobs growth.
Unsung Britain is working more β but it hasn't been enough to transform living standardsβ¦
This accounts for ALL the UK's jobs growth.
Unsung Britain is working more β but it hasn't been enough to transform living standardsβ¦
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
The good news: employment in poorer families has surged by 11 percentage points since the mid-1990s.
This accounts for ALL the UK's jobs growth.
Unsung Britain is working more β but it hasn't been enough to transform living standardsβ¦
This accounts for ALL the UK's jobs growth.
Unsung Britain is working more β but it hasn't been enough to transform living standardsβ¦
Living standards in Unsung Britain have barely moved for 20 years. If progress continues at its current crawl, it would take over 130 years for incomes to double β compared to just 40 years before 2004-05.
π The lowest incomes have actually fallen by 3% since 2004-05.
π The lowest incomes have actually fallen by 3% since 2004-05.
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Living standards in Unsung Britain have barely moved for 20 years. If progress continues at its current crawl, it would take over 130 years for incomes to double β compared to just 40 years before 2004-05.
π The lowest incomes have actually fallen by 3% since 2004-05.
π The lowest incomes have actually fallen by 3% since 2004-05.
NEW analysis π’ Britain's poorer half is working harder and getting less in return.
Our new book reveals the people of Unsung Britain are more likely to be in work, caring for a loved one, or sick themselves but their incomes β and opportunities β remain stagnant π§΅β€΅οΈ buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
Our new book reveals the people of Unsung Britain are more likely to be in work, caring for a loved one, or sick themselves but their incomes β and opportunities β remain stagnant π§΅β€΅οΈ buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
NEW analysis π’ Britain's poorer half is working harder and getting less in return.
Our new book reveals the people of Unsung Britain are more likely to be in work, caring for a loved one, or sick themselves but their incomes β and opportunities β remain stagnant π§΅β€΅οΈ buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
Our new book reveals the people of Unsung Britain are more likely to be in work, caring for a loved one, or sick themselves but their incomes β and opportunities β remain stagnant π§΅β€΅οΈ buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
π¨ Major NEW research published today π¨
Our book Unsung Britain reveals that squeezed families now face waiting more than a lifetime for the doubling of living standards we used to enjoy every 40 years.
Full findings here π buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
Our book Unsung Britain reveals that squeezed families now face waiting more than a lifetime for the doubling of living standards we used to enjoy every 40 years.
Full findings here π buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM
π¨ Major NEW research published today π¨
Our book Unsung Britain reveals that squeezed families now face waiting more than a lifetime for the doubling of living standards we used to enjoy every 40 years.
Full findings here π buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
Our book Unsung Britain reveals that squeezed families now face waiting more than a lifetime for the doubling of living standards we used to enjoy every 40 years.
Full findings here π buff.ly/7WcqrbQ
Failing to pursue closer integration with the EU creates tension with the Governmentβs growth ambitions.
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more β‘οΈ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more β‘οΈ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Failing to pursue closer integration with the EU creates tension with the Governmentβs growth ambitions.
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more β‘οΈ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
The Brexit impact on GDP per person may be bigger than feared; the impact on GDP per person may well sit above 4 per cent already.
Read more β‘οΈ buff.ly/VWHNFCb
We asked claimants what was the biggest problem with UC, and one issue came up more than any other ‡οΈ
February 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
We asked claimants what was the biggest problem with UC, and one issue came up more than any other ‡οΈ
We *can* decarbonise agriculture without harming living standards. π±
Here's howβ¬οΈ
Here's howβ¬οΈ
February 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
We *can* decarbonise agriculture without harming living standards. π±
Here's howβ¬οΈ
Here's howβ¬οΈ
Britainβs βunsungβ army β a million people in poorer working-age households now have full-time unpaid caring responsibilities .
February 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Britainβs βunsungβ army β a million people in poorer working-age households now have full-time unpaid caring responsibilities .
2026 may be the start of a new era when deaths outnumber births in the UK
This would be a seismic demographic shift and mean that future population growth was reliant on net internal migration, which the latest data suggest is also plummeting.
Research Director @GregoryThwaites explains ‡οΈ
This would be a seismic demographic shift and mean that future population growth was reliant on net internal migration, which the latest data suggest is also plummeting.
Research Director @GregoryThwaites explains ‡οΈ
February 9, 2026 at 2:15 PM
2026 may be the start of a new era when deaths outnumber births in the UK
This would be a seismic demographic shift and mean that future population growth was reliant on net internal migration, which the latest data suggest is also plummeting.
Research Director @GregoryThwaites explains ‡οΈ
This would be a seismic demographic shift and mean that future population growth was reliant on net internal migration, which the latest data suggest is also plummeting.
Research Director @GregoryThwaites explains ‡οΈ
Slowing dynamism is a key culprit in slowing productivity growth.
One standard measure of dynamism is job churn - this mostly fell in the UK in the two decades before the pandemic.
Jobs lost to exiting firms in 2024 were the highest since 2011, but other components of job reallocation remain weak.
One standard measure of dynamism is job churn - this mostly fell in the UK in the two decades before the pandemic.
Jobs lost to exiting firms in 2024 were the highest since 2011, but other components of job reallocation remain weak.
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Slowing dynamism is a key culprit in slowing productivity growth.
One standard measure of dynamism is job churn - this mostly fell in the UK in the two decades before the pandemic.
Jobs lost to exiting firms in 2024 were the highest since 2011, but other components of job reallocation remain weak.
One standard measure of dynamism is job churn - this mostly fell in the UK in the two decades before the pandemic.
Jobs lost to exiting firms in 2024 were the highest since 2011, but other components of job reallocation remain weak.
What would be the cost to consumers of decarbonising UK food production?
@zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org explains that even if all the costs were passed on to shoppers, it would increase food prices by less than 1 per cent β the equivalent of around 50p on a weekly shop.
@zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org explains that even if all the costs were passed on to shoppers, it would increase food prices by less than 1 per cent β the equivalent of around 50p on a weekly shop.
February 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
What would be the cost to consumers of decarbonising UK food production?
@zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org explains that even if all the costs were passed on to shoppers, it would increase food prices by less than 1 per cent β the equivalent of around 50p on a weekly shop.
@zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org explains that even if all the costs were passed on to shoppers, it would increase food prices by less than 1 per cent β the equivalent of around 50p on a weekly shop.
How exactly is the Government trying to get growth going again?
@sophiehale.bsky.social, Resolution Foundation research director, explains π½οΈ
Catch up on the full discussion β€΅οΈ buff.ly/BkUQlF9
@sophiehale.bsky.social, Resolution Foundation research director, explains π½οΈ
Catch up on the full discussion β€΅οΈ buff.ly/BkUQlF9
February 9, 2026 at 11:46 AM
How exactly is the Government trying to get growth going again?
@sophiehale.bsky.social, Resolution Foundation research director, explains π½οΈ
Catch up on the full discussion β€΅οΈ buff.ly/BkUQlF9
@sophiehale.bsky.social, Resolution Foundation research director, explains π½οΈ
Catch up on the full discussion β€΅οΈ buff.ly/BkUQlF9
April 2026 will mark a true milestone for the UK benefits system: the end of the thirteen-year rollout of Universal Credit that has brought together all means-tested working-age benefits.
But there are still further improvements to be made β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
But there are still further improvements to be made β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
February 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM
April 2026 will mark a true milestone for the UK benefits system: the end of the thirteen-year rollout of Universal Credit that has brought together all means-tested working-age benefits.
But there are still further improvements to be made β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
But there are still further improvements to be made β€΅οΈ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
Good news about the British economy?!
UK productivity β how much the economy produces per hour worked β grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined.
In our latest Substack, Research Director @gthwaites.bsky.social takes a closer look π
UK productivity β how much the economy produces per hour worked β grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined.
In our latest Substack, Research Director @gthwaites.bsky.social takes a closer look π
UK productivity grew more in the last year than in the previous seven combined
Gregory Thwaites on a genuinely surprising number, and what it means for the Bank of England
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Good news about the British economy?!
UK productivity β how much the economy produces per hour worked β grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined.
In our latest Substack, Research Director @gthwaites.bsky.social takes a closer look π
UK productivity β how much the economy produces per hour worked β grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined.
In our latest Substack, Research Director @gthwaites.bsky.social takes a closer look π
π¨ We're publishing a book tomorrow!
Unsung Britain combines analysis & policy with in-depth conversations to understand the needs of lower income families β and we're hosting a major conference.
With keynotes from Andy Burnham @andyburnham.bsky.social & Ken Murphy.
Registerβ‘οΈ buff.ly/2tG8LsY
Unsung Britain combines analysis & policy with in-depth conversations to understand the needs of lower income families β and we're hosting a major conference.
With keynotes from Andy Burnham @andyburnham.bsky.social & Ken Murphy.
Registerβ‘οΈ buff.ly/2tG8LsY
February 9, 2026 at 9:15 AM
π¨ We're publishing a book tomorrow!
Unsung Britain combines analysis & policy with in-depth conversations to understand the needs of lower income families β and we're hosting a major conference.
With keynotes from Andy Burnham @andyburnham.bsky.social & Ken Murphy.
Registerβ‘οΈ buff.ly/2tG8LsY
Unsung Britain combines analysis & policy with in-depth conversations to understand the needs of lower income families β and we're hosting a major conference.
With keynotes from Andy Burnham @andyburnham.bsky.social & Ken Murphy.
Registerβ‘οΈ buff.ly/2tG8LsY
Long term planning is essential to farming. But Jack Watts from the NFU argues that imbalances in the supply chain make this harder for farmers.
Watch our full discussion on the net zero transition in farming π
buff.ly/KuGaKVh
Watch our full discussion on the net zero transition in farming π
buff.ly/KuGaKVh
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Long term planning is essential to farming. But Jack Watts from the NFU argues that imbalances in the supply chain make this harder for farmers.
Watch our full discussion on the net zero transition in farming π
buff.ly/KuGaKVh
Watch our full discussion on the net zero transition in farming π
buff.ly/KuGaKVh