The future of the left since 1884

Publication

17 January 2025

Mature Decisions

Over the past decade, pensioner poverty has been rising. By the government’s standard income-based poverty measure, the poverty rate increased from 14 per cent in 2010-11 to 16 per cent in 2022-23, which means there were 1.9 million pensioners in poverty.

Addressing pensioner poverty is crucial. First, our social contract requires dignity in retirement, and for future generations to have a living standard at least as good as their predecessors. But there is also a strong fiscal case: the health and social care cost of pensioner poverty is estimated to be between £3bn and £5bn annually.

This report first analyses the nature of the challenge. It then explores options for pensioner social security reform, in the near and longer term, for consideration as part of the government’s pensions review.

Mature decisions Pensions

Publication

Home Comforts

13 January 2025

This report sets out a series of solutions to improve our poor-quality rented housing, so that everyone has a safe, secure, warm and accessible home.

Home Comforts Housing

Publication

Power and Prosperity

26 September 2024

Stephen Beer and Patrick Diamond argue that what Labour needs most is a clear normative framework, allowing it to make the case for change and reform not simply on the basis of efficiency, but in terms of values.

Power and Prosperity Housing

The Fabian Review

Winter 2024, Volume 136 - No.4

This edition of the Fabian Review examines the state of the British right and its likely trajectory, featuring Will Prescott, Mark Rusling, Hannah White, Catherine Haddon, and Mark Garnett. As Donald Trump selects his cabinet, Katie Gaddini, Stephen Beer and Patrick Diamond analyse his victory and the lessons for Labour. Elsewhere, Paula Surridge scrutinises Labour's supposed post-election popularity slump, Patrick Hurley MP proposes a lifeline for Britain's dilapidated piers, and Jem Mills-Sheehy sets out how to reduce the influence of big money in politics.