IPPR

There should be a £100,000 cap on individual donations to political parties. We should all be concerned that wealthy individuals are accounting for a growing share of party funding. Christopher Harborne’s £9m donation to Reform is record-breaking, but comes in the context of more millionaires donating to political parties than ever before. The only real solution is for the government to introduce a cap on how much any one individual can donate in a given year. That a cryptocurrency investor based in Thailand would still be allowed to finance British democracy under the new election laws the government is trying to pass only highlights its holes. Not so long ago, donations over three or four million pounds were extremely rare. They are now quite common. It is no surprise that voters perceive their support is worth less to a political party than the power of someone else’s pound. This is an under-acknowledged reason behind declines in voter turnout and falling political trust in our country.

Media coverage of net zero is more than twice as negative as public opinion - no wonder politicians think it's risky territory. Our latest analysis in the Guardian on why staying quiet is a mistake👇 theguardian.com/environment/20…

🗳️ Just 4% of Reform switchers cite climate as a reason for leaving Labour. Staying quiet on net zero would be a political misread, and one that could cost the earth. Read our latest analysis here 👉 ippr.org/articles/apath…

🌎️ | NEW REPORT: The net zero "backlash" is a myth. Voters still back climate action, but politics and media are telling a different story. Our new analysis with Persuasion UK explains why and how we fix it 👇 ippr.org/articles/apath…

The unfolding energy crisis is terrible news for the UK’s inflation outlook. Before the war, inflation was expected to return to its 2 per cent target soon. But if increased fossil fuel costs persist, inflation could be about 1 percentage point higher than expected. This would lead to higher interest rates and lower growth. As long as we are heavily dependent on fossil fuels for our energy, there are no good options in a crisis like this. But the government can learn the lessons from the last energy shock and prevent a negative spiral. It should intervene sooner rather than later to cap energy costs from peaking too high, whilst ensuring the cost of the intervention are fairly shared.

I spoke to BBC News about why rising NEET rates should be a national alarm bell and how the government's £1bn plan to extend the youth job guarantee (An @IPPR policy recommendation)is a real, concrete step in the right direction. 🔗 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

1/ Really glad to see our @IPPR proposal of devolving a share of national taxes picked up in the Mais Lecture. This is a big moment for how we think about funding growth across the country.

High oil prices, not windfall tax, make "new" projects viable, they won't be built until 2029 at the earliest and we'll pay high prices for it because there is no "domestic discount" When oil prices drop, they are no longer viable and won't be built 1/3

Good speech by @RachelReevesMP today with her clearest articulation yet of the government's growth agenda. She's right to be focussing on boosting succesful economic clusters. While also lifting employment rights, competition and devolution to make sure benefits are shared. (1/4)

The Mais lecture today was Rachel Reeves' chance to narrate this government's theory of growth. She doubles down on an agenda that has government actually doing stuff in the economy. a welcome shift from the old status quo where it takes a back seat to short-termist markets

Climate change is not just a left-wing issue - concern about floods, heat and infrastructure resilience cuts across the political spectrum. We need action to tackle emissions for the future and protect communities from its impacts now. Read our latest report 🔗 ippr.org/articles/adapt…

🌊 | NEW REPORT: Extreme weather is a political issue. Failing to protect people from floods and heat leaves space for the populist right to exploit public anger and risks losing voters across the spectrum who expect action. Read our solutions here 👇 ippr.org/articles/adapt…

New nuclear could play an important role in strengthening Britain’s energy security and stabilising power prices, but it’s unlikely to lower bills any time soon. Even if the first small modular reactors are built in the early 2030s, the impact on household bills is more likely to be felt from the mid-to-late 2030s once projects are completed and generating power at scale. inews.co.uk/news/new-nucle…

🏨A visitor levy could be a game‑changer for the North, as it has been across Europe. 🪙A small charge on overnight stays could help fund better transport, support culture + green spaces, and boost our towns and cities that welcome millions each year. Here’s why it matters 👇

Young people face a grim economic squeeze. NEET levels may be below their 2011 peak, but those in work face stagnant pay and huge student debt. .@KumarAshwin spoke to the @RestIsPolitics about NEETs and student loans 👇

📺 | NEW BLOG: How can the BBC compete in a media landscape increasingly dominated by global tech giants? Our latest analysis looks at what it will take to level the playing field - and why it matters for the future of UK public service media 🔗 ippr.org/articles/level…

Across the world, the populist right is reshaping politics. What’s the progressive response? @lea_ypi, @pathwithanr and @TomMcTague explore how to rebuild a politics that can inspire and win power 📺️ Watch live from 6pm youtube.com/watch?v=09d6gR…

@guardian @evansjoseph_ @carsjung Read the full report here ippr.org/articles/the-f…

If geopolitics triggers another energy price shock, relying on interest rates alone to bring down inflation could leave the economy “too cold for too long”. @guardian's Heather Stewart cites @evansjoseph_ & @carsjung's research 👇 theguardian.com/business/2026/…

🌍 NEW REPORT: Britain is entering a decade of danger. The post-war order is fracturing, US leadership is uncertain, and Europe is re-arming. In this paper, @markhleonard makes the case for a new grand strategy. Read here 👇 ippr.org/articles/brita…

🏘️ | NEW BLOG: Planning reform alone won’t make housing affordable. England needs the right mix of homes in the right places or ambitious supply targets risk leaving people behind. Read the latest from us here 👇 ippr.org/articles/will-…