Resolution Foundation

Winter isn't coming quite yet, but the government should start planning now for a possible spike in energy bills this winter. In our latest susbtack, Jonathan Marshall breaks down how the government should use the next few months to prepare a social tariff. ➡️ buff.ly/1pTmFcB

On Monday the government announced further support to tackle youth unemployment. This additional help for young people struggling to find work is welcome, but the government must continue monitoring the situation carefully. Our response ⬇️

🗓️ Event next Thursday Is financial regulation holding back Britons’ aspirations of home ownership? @JamesSmithRF will be discussing with Sarah Breeden, Sarah Harrison, Neal Hudson and Simon Pittaway Sign up here⤵️ buff.ly/vLF9krB

Today's labour market stats shows that unemployment remains worryingly high for young people. In the latest data the unemployment rate rose for all age groups under the age of 35 (while falling for age groups over 35).

"I don't think that there's been a matching reduction in the expectations of the electorate, about what the state can do" Recently David Miles from the OBR spoke to us about the impact of long-term productivity slowdown ⤵️

The less good news is that after factoring in inflation, wages only grew by 0.4% in real terms over the year to January. Given that the war in the Middle East is likely to push up inflation, decent real wage growth over the course of this year is looking a lot less likely.

On pay, nominal growth has continued to fall. Average wages rose by 3.8% in the year to January across the economy as a whole, and 3.3% in the private sector – rates that are consistent with the Bank of England’s inflation target.

Today’s labour market stats were better than expected – headline unemployment didn’t rise thanks to a surprise January single month number, and payrolled jobs rose. Real wages are still growing (slowly), but war in the middle east clouds the outlook there. 🧵 ⤵️

Bank of England keeps rates at 3.75% on a striking unanimous vote. All eyes on how the BoE might change tack in the face of renewed energy shock. Thread on that to follow…

🚨New - the Resolution Foundation response to the Chancellor’s 2026 Mais Lecture. @hale_shale argues that the priorities set out by Rachel Reeves yesterday form a credible framework for supporting stronger growth, but important gaps remain. Read it here: buff.ly/1SkyA5G

Unsung Britain has faced crushing costs in recent years. Explore our findings today, to learn how the living standards slowdown precedes the cost of living crisis ⤵️ buff.ly/a300OG4

If energy bills spike this winter, how should the government respond? @zackleather argues they should start planning now to introduce a social tariff 👇

The safety net for Britons is far lower than most of their counterparts. Many other benefits systems around the world hardwire in a link between typical wages and benefit rates. More➡️ buff.ly/a300OG4

Prolonged highs in gas prices could push up the price cap by around £500 in July. The government should use the time between now and then to think smartly about how support can target vulnerable families with lower incomes and high energy needs. Read more 👉 buff.ly/bDPVzLB

The labour market has had a surprisingly sprightly start to the year, but the outlook is clouded by war in Middle East. Unemployment also remains worryingly high for young people and rose for all age groups under 35.

There have been various changes – or, more bluntly, cuts – to a host of benefit rates during the years after 2010 ⤵️