IPPR

Our analysis of 22 countries reveals that tax-funded healthcare systems have lower admin costs compared to insurance-based healthcare systems. Administrative costs consume 2.2 per cent of health spending in tax-funded systems compared to 3.5 per cent in insurance systems.

🚨 | NEW REPORT: Why have asylum hotels become flashpoints in some communities? Our latest research reveals it’s not just about their presence, but poor communication, misinformation and decisions that feel imposed. Here’s what needs to change 👉 ippr.org/articles/commu…

Great news for the North, as the English Devolution Bill (now Act!) received Royal Assent this week 👏👏👏 A welcome demonstration of the government’s commitment to the devolution agenda and a prosperous North...🧵 planningresource.co.uk/article/195648…

🏠Today marks a major shift for renters. The Renters’ Rights Act begins to turn the tide on a system that has too often left renters with too little power and too little security. Ending no-fault evictions, limiting rent increases to once a year, making it easier to challenge unfair rises, and driving up standards in rented homes will make a real difference to millions of people across the country. But this is only part of the solution. The biggest pressure facing renters today is the cost of renting itself, and that challenge remains. While the Act introduces important safeguards, it doesn’t tackle the underlying drivers of high rents. Without further action, many renters will continue to feel the squeeze. The next step is clear: explore options to better limit rent increases and deliver the long-term affordability and stability renters need.

🏬❤️‍🩹People rightly judge the economic health of the country by the state of their high streets. This is even more acute in the North. Of the top 10 hotspots for organised crime on our high streets, 6 are based in the North of England 👇 independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

So what does this mean? Children and young people with special educational needs are clearly struggling in schools – despite the hard work of teachers and leaders. These are the young people who need school the most, who find learning the hardest, and benefit most from all school has to offer. Previous analysis from IPPR found that when children are told to leave their school permanently, they go on to cost the state £170,000 over a lifetime in reduced earnings, welfare use, and criminal justice costs. Education in England is currently at a cross-roads – with reforms and investment on the horizon, the challenge now is to support schools to deliver a more inclusive system where needs are met earlier, behaviour is de-escalated and all children are supported to belong, achieve and thrive. End of thread.

The most common reason for both suspensions and permanent exclusions was persistent disruptive behaviour – with 52 per cent of all suspensions and 38% of exclusions.

The latest data on exclusions and suspensions was released this morning. But what does it tell us? Who is more likely to be removed from school? And are there any concerning trends? 🧵

With oil prices currently at their highest since the Iran war began, the energy crisis is far from over. And it could get worse before it gets better. As a result, the Bank will likely keep its rates higher for longer - hitting growth and hurting household incomes. The government is not powerless in this. Temporarily capping energy costs for everyone can limit inflation increases and can overall be cheaper than cleaning up a recession later. This renewed fossil fuel crisis should also be a wake up call. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is the smart move to protect the economy moving forward, as shocks become more likely in a volatile world.

1/ This analysis is very out of date. Rigorous academic studies show that in nearly 90% of cases rent controls lead to price reductions. And there are lots of examples where careful design mitigates risks to housing supply and quality.

I've written in Public Sector Focus about how we can demand more from social media (which isn't social) and how the BBC could help.

Richard Harborne's £5m donation to Farage shows our election rules are not fit for purpose. Such significant, arbitrary influence erodes trust in politics. Not surprising two thirds support a donation cap, a la @IPPR recc (recent @YouGov ) - it doesn't pass the basic sniff test

Rents have outpaced wages for decades, now over 2 million renters spend over 30% of their income on housing. We need more homes long term. But right now, a rent cap could ease pressure, protect tenants, and keep things fair for landlords too. 📻️ @harry_qp on @TimesRadio 👇

It’s becoming harder to ignore the growing weight that extremely wealthy donors appear to carry in British politics, not just in scale, but in proximity to key political decisions. Reports that Christopher Harborne provided Nigel Farage with £5 million shortly before his change of stance on standing as an MP will inevitably prompt questions about influence, perception, and the standards we expect in public life. Seven-figure sums entering politics were once exceptional, now they are commonplace. The government must act urgently, capping individual donations at £100,000, to protect the sanctity of our politics.

This is why we need a cap on political donations. As @IPPR has argued before British democracy should not be for sale to the highest bidder. theguardian.com/politics/2026/…

King Charles’s speech matters because it reinforces the deeper ties between the UK and the US, offering a gentle reminder of the shared values most Britons and Americans still support: the rule of law, democracy, cooperation and peace. But if Keir Starmer is hoping the King can smooth over the strains that have emerged with Donald Trump, he may be disappointed. The underlying tensions in the transatlantic relationship aren’t going away. That’s why Starmer needs to focus on a more dependable strategy, strengthening ties with Europe to ensure stability in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.