Publications

Research, policy, comment and analysis from our latest publications. Browse through our back catalogue or search for a report or pamphlet.

Historic Fabian Society publications from before 2000 are available at the LSE Digital Library

Seizing the opportunity

The fair pay agreement in social care

The treatment of our social care workforce is a national scandal. England’s 1.6 million care workers suffer from endemic low pay and poor conditions, with almost half of care workers paid below the real living wage, and many earning below the legal minimum wage when travel time is taken into account. There are few opportunities for progression, with senior care workers earning just £3 per shift more than care workers. A third of the workforce have received no training for their role; three in ten care workers are on zero-hours contracts, nine times the average for the economy as a whole; and few care workers receive more than the legal minimum in terms of sick pay or pensions.

The government is currently legislating for a fair pay agreement in the sector. In this report, Fabian Society general secretary Joe Dromey and senior researcher Ben Cooper makes the case for an ambitious and fully funded fair pay agreement in order to improve pay and conditions, tackle the workforce crisis, and improve the quality of care.

In the Fast Lane

How better buses can kickstart growth

In this pamphlet, Alex Mayer MP makes the case that improving our bus network is crucial to fulfilling Labour’s growth mission.

Mature decisions

The role of social security in alleviating pensioner poverty

This report first analyses the nature of the challenge of pensioner poverty. 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.

First steps

An ambitious strategy to tackle early-years poverty with public consent

In this report, research manager Ben Cooper 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.

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Social Democracy Now

Why communitarianism provides the roadmap the left needs today

In this reappraisal of communitarian thinking, Wallis advocates for a more participatory form of democracy, backed by a policy platform and guiding philosophy designed to secure electoral success and build a society rooted in shared values.

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Spring 2025

Continental drift

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.

Home Comforts

A plan to eradicate England's poor-quality rented housing

This report sets out how the government can address poor-quality housing in the social and private rented sector in England and the benefits of doing so for individuals, communities and our public services. It identifies the challenge of non-decent housing, and how experiences can differ between demographic groups. The report sets out a series of solutions to improve rented stock, so that everyone has a safe, secure, warm and accessible home.

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Winter 2024

Fabian Review

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.

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Autumn 2024

Fabian Review

This edition of the Fabian Review challenges the new Labour government to hit the ground running in its first term, featuring Tracey Brabin, Melanie Smallman, Paul Swinney and many more. In conversation with Iggy Wood, David Blunkett discusses his early life and the pressures of power.

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Power and Prosperity

How a radical Labour government can transform Britain

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.

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Arts for Us All

Putting culture and creativity at the heart of national renewal

The Fabian Society's Arts and Creative Industries unit was set up in November 2023 to develop bold new ideas for culture policy inspired by progressive values. This pamphlet draws together some of the unit's most innovative and influential ideas, from a 'new deal' for libraries to a progressive tourism charge.

Employment status

Options for reform

In this paper, the Fabian Society's deputy general secretary, Luke Raikes, investigates how well our current employment status framework is working and discusses options for reform. He situates the debate around single worker status, which would merge ‘limb (b)’ workers with those with employee status, in the context of the need for general improvements to employment rights and enforcement.

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Expensive and Unequal

The case for reforming pension tax relief

In this report, the Fabian Society's general secretary, Andrew Harrop, sets out the case for measures to reduce and redistribute pension tax relief. He also sets out a menu of reform options.

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Brick by Brick

Why we must act now to remake our housing market

Simon Graham explores the roots of the UK's housing crisis. He traces the history of land and development in Britain and Europe, and reaches a conclusion that is simple, radical, and above all hopeful: if it chooses to, the state can ensure everyone’s housing needs are met.

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Summer 2024

Fabian Review

This edition of the Fabian Review takes a deep dive into Labour's historic election victory, featuring Paula Surridge, Colm Murphy and Fraser McMillan. In an arts and culture special, Alison Cole, James Graham, Antony Gormley, Paul Richards and Josette Bushell-Mingo set out what Labour can do to help our creative sector flourish.

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Going up a gear

Raising productivity by powering up investment, work and institutions

Luke Raikes, the Fabian Society's deputy general secretary, sets out practical recommendations to boost productivity while raising living standards, protecting the environment, and unlocking resources for public services and infrastructure.

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Keir Starmer MP on public services

From the archive

From the archive: Keir Starmer sets out his approach to public service reforms in our 2016 edited collection, Future Left

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Cost Cutters

A plan to tackle the poverty premium and make markets work

This report sets out how the UK can address the poverty premium and make markets work for low-income families. It sets out the scale of the poverty premium before looking at the reasons why markets, regulators and the government fail families. We identify a number of recommendations to help people to keep more of their money in their pockets and rebuild financial security for all consumers.

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Spring 2024

Fabian Review

This edition of the Fabian Review celebrates 140 years of Fabianism, featuring Keir Starmer MP, Sadiq Khan, Stella Creasy MP, Anas Sarwar MSP, and many more. In conversation with Kate Murray, Fabian general secretaries past and present discuss John Smith, splits, and the weight of history.

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When I'm 64

A strategy to tackle poverty before state pension age

Fabian Society senior researcher Sasjkia Otto looks at the roots of pre-retirement poverty and presents a strategy to address it.

Caring for Carers

Policy options for carers' employment and financial protections

Fabian Society researcher Eloise Sacares and general secretary Andrew Harrop present a series of policy options for the employment and financial protections of unpaid carers.

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