New APPG report on the youth NEET crisis draws on our evidence that poverty's effect on young people is neurological, not just financial. This is structural, not individual failure - and demands reform of the conditional welfare system appgpovertyinequality.org.uk/home-page/ne...
Common Sense Policy Group
@plancommonsense.bsky.social
The Common Sense Policy Group presents feasible, affordable and popular evidence-based policies that can form the programme for progressive government
CSPG's written submission to the Women & Equalities Committee's flexible working and disability inquiry has been published [FWD0083]. We argue claiming Equality Act rights is burdensome and flexible arrangements aren't accessible for most disabled workers. committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
committees.parliament.uk
Andy Burnham's Manchester speech set to tackle regional inequality, strengthen devolution, increase council housing, and public investment. Our latest blog examines his proposals, what they mean for the UK and where government should go even further. commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/blog/reasons...
📣The ethical case for moving away from animal testing now has an economic case to match. Discover more from @plancommonsense.bsky.social and @lush.com ⬇️
Northumbria researchers provide economic evidence base for shift away from animal testing
New research commissioned by Lush shows the UK's non-animal methods sector grew to more than £1.2 billion in turnover and has been cited by a leading parliamentary advocate for reform.
northumbria.ac.uk
After reading this newest essay of mine, one of my readers said via email, "This is probably the best article I've ever read advocating for UBI. And one of the best you've ever written." If you haven't read it yet, please do. Maybe you will feel the same way. 🎲 www.scottsantens.com/the-angine-d...
The Angine de Poitrine Argument for UBI
Why Angine de Poitrine's viral microtonal math rock KEXP session, Ireland's permanent basic income for artists, and Albert Einstein are three sides of the same human triangle Two guys in papier-mâc...
scottsantens.com
📄 What drives support for largescale housing reform? Our new study explores UK public opinion on major housing reform, finding strong support for ambitious, state‑led approaches and clear links with socioeconomic factors. @tandfresearch.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
What drives support for largescale housing reform? Mixed-methods survey data from the UK indicates importance of socioeconomic status over demographic characteristics
The UK housing system is in crisis. In 2021, 8.5 million people had unmet housing needs on account of affordability, accessibility and quality. While the Labour Government have placed emphasis on l...
tandfonline.com
New CSPG research commissioned by LUSH makes the business case for ending animal testing in the UK. A £100m public investment in non-animal methods could generate a £248m tax return in just 7 years, making the case both ethical and economic commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/nams...
🎙️ During his visit to Australia, Professor Matthew Johnson joined Dylan Bird on @3rrrfm.bsky.social Future Perfect to discuss how we can tackle health and economic inequality, championing #BasicIncome and the case for transformative change in the UK. Listen now www.rrr.org.au/on-demand/se...
Segments: Future Perfect: Matthew Johnson On How We Can Tackle Health And Economic Inequality — Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio
Dylan Bird is joined by Matthew Johnson, Professor of Public Policy at Northumbria University and Chair of the Common Sense Policy Group, to dig into his research on health and economic inequality, ho...
rrr.org.au
Melbourne: British inequality scholar Matthew Johnson joins me in conversation this Monday 3pm at Monash Uni Caulfield campus, to discuss his work fighting inequality and rebuilding social democracy. FREE PUBLIC TALK Monday 16/3 3pm Caulfield campus bit.ly/common-sense...
Monash MFJ Presents: Matthew Johnson on Common Sense policies for a New Social Contract
Growing inequality, economic stagnation and the rise of the populist right are putting pressure on our democratic system. But there are policy interventions that can address the pressing problems that...
bit.ly
Payday is this week for some but for millions wages go straight on essentials. With less to spend in the wider economy, demand and growth fall. We need an economy that rewards productive work and gives people the security to build a life, not just get by commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/act-now/a-ne...
Dr Elliott Johnson was on LBC @globalplayer.com with @henryriley1.bsky.social discussing the decline in remote jobs and what this means for disabled workers. Listen now from 1hr 11 mins: www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/... #CommonSense #AccessibleWork #WelfareReform #DisabilityInclusion
Henry Riley | Global Player
Listen to Henry Riley for free on Global Player.
globalplayer.com
Dr Elliott Johnson joined @darrylmorris.bsky.social on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social on Sunday to discuss Basic Income, how it works, why it’s needed, and its practical feasibility. Listen now from 1:22: www.thetimes.com/radio/show/2... #CommonSense #BasicIncome #WelfareReform
Darryl Morris | Times Radio | The Times and the Sunday Times
Listen to Times Radio live for the latest breaking news, expert analysis and well-informed discussion covering the biggest stories of the day.
thetimes.com
@profkepickett.bsky.social The Good Society: And How We Make It is out tomorrow! www.penguin.co.uk/books/470692... Featured in today's @theguardian.com piece www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle..., the book is a timely vision for what it takes to create a fairer, healthier, more secure society.
Our 2025 Annual Report is out now commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/revi... A year of huge growth for CSPG, with major research and impact across almost all areas of #publicpolicy. 2026 will be even more ambitious. #CommonSense #BasicIncome #WelfareReform
Brilliant discussion. Great explanations around why we need to tax passive wealth as much as productive income. youtu.be/q1cx921XUwU?...
The Economic Case for UBI Just Got Stronger
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
Matthew Johnson’s @fivebooks.com interview just topped @scottsantens.com “Top 10 UBI Articles of 2025” and for good reason! It weaves together the philosophical, economic, and political case for a #BasicIncome scottsantens.substack.com?utm_source=n... fivebooks.com/best-books/u...
Universal Basic Income
Is basic income a viable policy that changes everything? Matthew Johnson, Professor of Public Policy at Northumbria University, and other members of the 'Common Sense Policy Group' think so. He introd...
fivebooks.com
🎙 New podcast with @richardjmurphy.bsky.social The Economic Case for UBI Just Got Stronger Here we discuss our latest work on economic modelling, public investment, and the case for a #BasicIncome and why it can strengthen security and the economy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1cx...
The Economic Case for UBI Just Got Stronger
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtube.com
The Economic Case for UBI Just Got Stronger youtu.be/q1cx921XUwU?...
The Economic Case for UBI Just Got Stronger
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
What would real economic security mean for you in 2026? Stable wages, affordable housing, the freedom to plan ahead? Our research shows how fragile the UK's social safety net is commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/act-now/a-so... What does economic security look like for you? #BasicIncome #WelfareReform
MPs return to Parliament this week. Will 2026 bring real change? We believe the priorities should be: ✅ Tackle the cost of living crisis ✅ Provide a social safety net that protects everyone ✅ Build a new economy on public investment Our vision: commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/act-now/
🚨 NEW REPORT: Basic Income for Net Zero: Trade Union Perspectives With @ubilabnetwork.bsky.social we interviewed union officers on #BasicIncome. Amid pay crises & job cuts, unions see the potential of #BasicIncome to support a green & just transition. commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/basi...
With @plancommonsense.bsky.social we have published a report on Basic Income for Net Zero: Trade Union Perspectives This report is built on interviews with trade union officers and general secretaries. It was a pleasure to have these discussions commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/basi...
Basic Income for Net Zero - Common Sense Policy Group
Basic Income for Net Zero: Trade Union Perspectives Download ‘Basic Income for Net Zero’ This report analyses engagement with UK […]
commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk
The November budget was a chance to break from failed treasury orthodoxy. Instead we got more tinkering around the edges of the status quo. Our analysis shows why short-term deficit reduction is holding us back. Read our blog here commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/budget-blues... #NovemberBudget2025
Budget Blues The Sequel - Common Sense Policy Group
Budget Blues The Sequel Common Sense Policy Group published 3 December 2025 by Anna Frances Thew In June, the Common […]
commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk
Dr Elliott Johnson will speak tonight at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social Debating Society, arguing for a #BasicIncome to replace the UK welfare state. We’re thrilled to see Elliott bringing these important ideas to such a historic forum! www.stadebates.com/event/1e4e24... #StAndrews #WelfareReform
This House Supports Replacing the UK's Welfare State with UBI
stadebates.com
Huge thanks to Tony Hawks for sharing a copy of Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything with the brilliant satirist Rory Bremner, who’s keen to explore our ideas! Find out more about the book here - policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/basic-...
Yesterday @citizennetwork.bsky.social hit Parliament. Thanks to @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social and Baroness Hollins for hosting us. And guests @compassoffice.bsky.social @disrightsuk.bsky.social @learningdiseng.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social @carefull.bsky.social @plancommonsense.bsky.social …
Act Now is front and centre at the @waterstones.bsky.social shop at the @labouruk.bsky.social Party Conference! Stacks of copies on the main table and signed editions available thanks to @profkepickett.bsky.social! Don't miss your chance to grab one! #LabourPartyConference #Lab25 #CommonSense
Advocate for radical wealth and social security reform, Tony 'The Fridgeman' Hawks, delivering our book 'Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything' to @resfoundation.bsky.social with a request to talk change. Thanks very much Tony! policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/basic-...
Dr Elliott Johnson joined Clare Foges on @lbc.co.uk, cutting through the noise on welfare and health. Tighter eligibility and harsher conditionality harm health, discourage work and reduce the chances of finding meaningful employment. 🎧 Listen from 01:11:28: www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
Public policy experts examining the case for transformative welfare policy and the impact on public health outcomes have outlined their research in a new editorial published by The British Medical Journal – known as @bmj.com @plancommonsense.bsky.social #BasicIncome 📰Discover more:
Researchers make their case for Basic Income in the BMJ
Public policy experts examining the case for transformative welfare policy and the impact on public health outcomes have outlined their research in a new editorial published by The British Medical Jou...
northumbria.ac.uk