The future of the left since 1884

Publication

6 June 2025

Better Off

At the next general election, ministers will be judged by Ronald Reagan’s famous question: “are you better off than you were?” When voters considered this question last year, they answered ‘no’ – and they were right. The 2019-2024 parliament was the first on record where real disposable household incomes were lower at the end than at the start. Little surprise, then, that a Conservative electoral wipeout followed.
Living standards shouldn’t be the government’s only priority. But they are a very real measure of whether people’s lives are going well and, understandably, it is often how the public judges whether a government is doing its job. For this government to secure a second term, it will need to deliver tangible improvements in living standards.
This report shows how the government can make people better off in highly challenging circumstances. It sets out how policies can be prioritised, coordinated and communicated in practice, with three key ‘pillars’.

Better off Social security / Poverty

Publication

First Steps

25 May 2025

In this report, research manager Ben Cooper argues that the government must act. He first sets out why addressing early-years poverty should be central to the government’s broader child poverty strategy. He then makes recommendations that would lift tens of thousands of babies and toddlers out of poverty and benefit many more, while navigating the fiscal and political obstacles facing the government.

First steps Early years

Publication

Seizing the opportunity

18 January 2025

General secretary Joe Dromey and research manager Ben Cooper make the case for an ambitious and fully funded fair pay agreement in order to improve pay and conditions in social care.

Seizing the opportunity Social Care / Employment

The Fabian Review

Winter 2025, Volume 137 - No.1

This edition of the Fabian Review focuses on the turbulent political landscape of Europe, featuring Caroline Gray, Matthias Dilling, Luke John Davies, Emma Fastesson Lindgren, and Judith Kirton-Darling. In conversation with Iggy Wood, Liam Byrne discusses inequality, populism, and sci-fi. Elsewhere, Paul Mason and Margaret Pinder discuss Labour's defence plans.