Stephen Boyd
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
Director IPPR Scotland
Views my own
Views my own
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
No, welfare spending is not 'out of control'.
(There is an underlying rise in health-related benfits, but this needs sensible reform - not knee jerk cuts.)
(There is an underlying rise in health-related benfits, but this needs sensible reform - not knee jerk cuts.)
November 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
No, welfare spending is not 'out of control'.
(There is an underlying rise in health-related benfits, but this needs sensible reform - not knee jerk cuts.)
(There is an underlying rise in health-related benfits, but this needs sensible reform - not knee jerk cuts.)
Been wearing this t-shirt for the last 15 years so it's nice to see the OBR (kinda) catch-up.
Considering the productivity revision was of such importance to this budget the treatment of structural drivers/sectoral composition is worryingly flimsy. Not a single ref to Baumol in 60 pgs. Remarkable.
Considering the productivity revision was of such importance to this budget the treatment of structural drivers/sectoral composition is worryingly flimsy. Not a single ref to Baumol in 60 pgs. Remarkable.
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Been wearing this t-shirt for the last 15 years so it's nice to see the OBR (kinda) catch-up.
Considering the productivity revision was of such importance to this budget the treatment of structural drivers/sectoral composition is worryingly flimsy. Not a single ref to Baumol in 60 pgs. Remarkable.
Considering the productivity revision was of such importance to this budget the treatment of structural drivers/sectoral composition is worryingly flimsy. Not a single ref to Baumol in 60 pgs. Remarkable.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
The UK government's decision to remove the two-child limit is a welcome one; it will lift around 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
✒️ @stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Budget ⤵️
✒️ @stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Budget ⤵️
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The UK government's decision to remove the two-child limit is a welcome one; it will lift around 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
✒️ @stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Budget ⤵️
✒️ @stephenboydippr.bsky.social responds to the Budget ⤵️
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Today the government is lifting the 2-child limit – a major IPPR win that boosts incomes and improves opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty.
A landmark moment.
Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty.
A landmark moment.
"You cannot have a situation where, under a Labour government, child poverty numbers just go up and up and up" says Gordon Brown.
🎲 Our proposal to tax gambling companies to pay to cut the two-child limit is "surely the right thing to do" says the former PM and chancellor.
🎲 Our proposal to tax gambling companies to pay to cut the two-child limit is "surely the right thing to do" says the former PM and chancellor.
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Today the government is lifting the 2-child limit – a major IPPR win that boosts incomes and improves opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty.
A landmark moment.
Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty.
A landmark moment.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Ten children in every classroom are living in poverty — in the sixth richest country in the world. The two-child limit has played a particularly damaging role in this.
✒️ @ashwin-kumar.bsky.social responds to the Budget 👇
✒️ @ashwin-kumar.bsky.social responds to the Budget 👇
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Ten children in every classroom are living in poverty — in the sixth richest country in the world. The two-child limit has played a particularly damaging role in this.
✒️ @ashwin-kumar.bsky.social responds to the Budget 👇
✒️ @ashwin-kumar.bsky.social responds to the Budget 👇
Removal of the 2 child limit is hugely welcome. This one measure will immediately lift 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal.
#Budget
Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal.
#Budget
November 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Removal of the 2 child limit is hugely welcome. This one measure will immediately lift 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal.
#Budget
Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal.
#Budget
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Delighted to see the Chancellor has taken forward the recommendation from Gordon Brown, @smfthinktank.bsky.social and @ippr.org to increase taxes on gambling. We called for this hugely profitable industry to contribute to ending the two child limit for benefits
November 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Delighted to see the Chancellor has taken forward the recommendation from Gordon Brown, @smfthinktank.bsky.social and @ippr.org to increase taxes on gambling. We called for this hugely profitable industry to contribute to ending the two child limit for benefits
7:15am and already bored/tired/frustrated by numerous 'black hole' references on BBC Radio Scotland.
What was the point of the Dilnot Review? Were BBC presenters ever told of its findings?
share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfc...
What was the point of the Dilnot Review? Were BBC presenters ever told of its findings?
share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfc...
share.google
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
7:15am and already bored/tired/frustrated by numerous 'black hole' references on BBC Radio Scotland.
What was the point of the Dilnot Review? Were BBC presenters ever told of its findings?
share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfc...
What was the point of the Dilnot Review? Were BBC presenters ever told of its findings?
share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfc...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up:
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules won’t save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up:
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
"Much of the left appears to have convinced itself that wealth tax is all that is needed. This is incorrect — and an incessant focus on wealth taxation is obscuring the need for broader tax increases." Clear and interesting piece by @jomichell.bsky.social:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules won’t save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"Much of the left appears to have convinced itself that wealth tax is all that is needed. This is incorrect — and an incessant focus on wealth taxation is obscuring the need for broader tax increases." Clear and interesting piece by @jomichell.bsky.social:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
RF are pro MW, but we agree it's 2nd order to benefits in tackling poverty. Big fight with Osborne over that re tax credit cuts in 2015.
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
RF are pro MW, but we agree it's 2nd order to benefits in tackling poverty. Big fight with Osborne over that re tax credit cuts in 2015.
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27% www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Policymakers, if you want to base your decisions on AI slop, generate it yourselves instead of paying Deloitte through the nose to do it. #healthpolicy
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. – The Independent
$1.6 million Health Human Resources Plan from Deloitte cites research papers that don’t exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months
theindependent.ca
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Policymakers, if you want to base your decisions on AI slop, generate it yourselves instead of paying Deloitte through the nose to do it. #healthpolicy
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
November 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
When someone tells you complex societal challenges have simple answers, they're either stupid or hoping you are.
When they say those answers are more cruelty to a certain group, they're also evil and hoping you are.
When they say those answers are more cruelty to a certain group, they're also evil and hoping you are.
this defies parody. also helps explain why Sec Bessent bizarrely blamed immigrants when confronted with a question about high beef prices
November 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
When someone tells you complex societal challenges have simple answers, they're either stupid or hoping you are.
When they say those answers are more cruelty to a certain group, they're also evil and hoping you are.
When they say those answers are more cruelty to a certain group, they're also evil and hoping you are.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Delighted to publish this @nuffieldfoundation.org funded work as part of @safety-nets.bsky.social our major study examining the extent, nature and impacts of the devolution (and localisation) of social security within the UK. Vital new analysis from @alexclegg.bsky.social
New @resolutionfoundation.org @safety-nets.bsky.social report on the localisation of social security since 2013: Support delivered by local authorities isn't well understood but is an increasingly important part of the social security system: real spending on it is now 122 times higher than 2010-11
The localisation era • Resolution Foundation
This report is part of the project Safety Nets: social security for families in a devolved UK, funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It examines the growth of localised social security in the UK from 201...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Delighted to publish this @nuffieldfoundation.org funded work as part of @safety-nets.bsky.social our major study examining the extent, nature and impacts of the devolution (and localisation) of social security within the UK. Vital new analysis from @alexclegg.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Recently, we attended @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10 year anniversary event. CR participant James sat on a panel titled: 'Can Scotland meet its poverty targets' alongside CPAG and the Poverty Truth Community. He wrote a wonderful speech which can be read here: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
Changing Realities is a project bringing together almost 200 parents and carers across the UK. The project documents what life is like for parents on a low income and, using lived experience, campaigns for the change we need to see.
changingrealities.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Recently, we attended @ipprscotland.bsky.social 10 year anniversary event. CR participant James sat on a panel titled: 'Can Scotland meet its poverty targets' alongside CPAG and the Poverty Truth Community. He wrote a wonderful speech which can be read here: changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
What are the big problems facing Scotland today? Apparently it's that too few people are dressing like grouse beaters...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
'It's high time that Generation Scruff learned to polish their bloody shoes'
Individualism has become a curse within organisational workplaces as being your authentic self is deemed of greater importance than portraying a…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What are the big problems facing Scotland today? Apparently it's that too few people are dressing like grouse beaters...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
@scotiet.bsky.social, is a charity supporting young Scots to overcome financial obstacles in order to study overseas. I've just set up its Bluesky account and would really welcome some follows to get things moving.
If you'd like to know more about us -
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
If you'd like to know more about us -
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
SIET STORIES | Scottish International Education Trust
By far the best people to tell SIET's story are the extraordinary young people who we fund as fellows. The trust is lucky to be able to work with these changemakers, whose hard work and determination ...
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:07 AM
@scotiet.bsky.social, is a charity supporting young Scots to overcome financial obstacles in order to study overseas. I've just set up its Bluesky account and would really welcome some follows to get things moving.
If you'd like to know more about us -
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
If you'd like to know more about us -
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
Noone will believe this but actually managed to watch the full game - completely uninterrupted - on Avanti West Coast wifi. Incredible stuff
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Noone will believe this but actually managed to watch the full game - completely uninterrupted - on Avanti West Coast wifi. Incredible stuff
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
NEW Policy Insights: Next steps for city-region policy in Scotland 💡📝
Where does policy need to go next and what opportunities are there to strengthen regional working?
@davidwglasgow.bsky.social @graemeroy.bsky.social @stuartgmcintyre.bsky.social, Niall MacKenzie
🔗 www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
Where does policy need to go next and what opportunities are there to strengthen regional working?
@davidwglasgow.bsky.social @graemeroy.bsky.social @stuartgmcintyre.bsky.social, Niall MacKenzie
🔗 www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
November 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
NEW Policy Insights: Next steps for city-region policy in Scotland 💡📝
Where does policy need to go next and what opportunities are there to strengthen regional working?
@davidwglasgow.bsky.social @graemeroy.bsky.social @stuartgmcintyre.bsky.social, Niall MacKenzie
🔗 www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
Where does policy need to go next and what opportunities are there to strengthen regional working?
@davidwglasgow.bsky.social @graemeroy.bsky.social @stuartgmcintyre.bsky.social, Niall MacKenzie
🔗 www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
Reposted by Stephen Boyd
"More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden" - on.ft.com/498VbP7
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden
Wealth managers issue warning as worries grow among people in their 20s over the economy and job prospects
on.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
"More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden" - on.ft.com/498VbP7
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff