Today the Government's public consultation on its plan to end exploitative zero-hours contracts draws to a close. I've taken a look at 3 decisions they need to make, that, if they get right, could improve the lives of millions of workers. 👇 resolutionfoundation.substack.com/p/zero-to-hero

Zero to hero?

Three decisions, millions of workers, one chance to get it right

resolutionfoundation.substack.com

Today’s labour market statistics show that the decent GDP growth from the early summer isn’t (yet) translating into stronger employment and pay, which both remained fairly flat in the latest month. Our @resolutionfoundation.org thread from me and @louisemurphy.bsky.social 🧵...

New analysis shows that paid work – and not screen time – is the biggest reason people are spending more time alone ⤵️ buff.ly/v7pfxOa

The Prime Minister said this morning that care workers ‘’should be the best paid people in society, not the worst.’’ So how do their pay and conditions currently look, and how can they be improved? Plus, what might this mean for unpaid carers? 🧵⤵️

Andy Burnham said today that social care workers should be ''the best paid people in society.'' According to providers, pay is a key factor contributing to the recruitment and retention crisis in the care sector. So how can the Government make a success of the Fair Pay Agreement?➡️ buff.ly/veEOJFN

Responding to new labour market stats out this morning, we've taken a step back to look at the legacy the Starmer govt left to Andy Burnham – higher unemployment and fewer payrolled jobs, but some real wage growth and shrinking regional pay gaps. A thread with @hannahslaughter.bsky.social 🧵:

This morning’s data shows a weak labour market: unemployment remains high and real wages are barely growing. The monthly LFS unemployment data is volatile but the big picture is that unemployment has been climbing for the past few years and stood at 4.9% in the three months to April.

🚨 Tomorrow: Can workers in precarious sectors exert influence over pay and working conditions? We'll be hosting a disussion on our latest research looking at individual worker power in low-paid and precarious sectors. Sign up here: buff.ly/5VmNszO

🚨Less than a week left to apply!🚨 We're recruiting for three exciting permanent roles within our Research and Policy team, at different levels of experience. Find our more and apply now ➡️ buff.ly/N4Xuj8b

In our latest Substack, Research Trainee Jamie Titus-Glover looks at how income inequality between ethnic minorities and their White counterparts has changed over the past three decades. Though there are signs of progress, big disparities remain ⬇️ buff.ly/pX0vG2a

The UK has become more equal but ethnic minorities still earn less than their White counterparts

RF Research Trainee Jamie Titus-Glover takes a look at how income inequality between ethnic minorities and their White counterparts has changed over the past three decades.

resolutionfoundation.substack.com

This morning’s stats show that the labour market remains loose, with high unemployment (albeit with a surprise fall in the latest month) and weak wage growth. A thread about what this means as we go into an energy price shock from me, @louisemurphy.bsky.social and @jametg.bsky.social:

Today the Fair Work Agency was launched, bringing enforcement of several employment rights under one roof. This is a really welcome move, but its impact will depend on its resources and powers. A thread summarising the latest RF Labour Market Outlook: 🧵 www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...

Labour Market Outlook Q1 2026 • Resolution Foundation

The Employment Rights Act marks the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation. But even the most ambitious employment rights will benefit workers only if they are enforced effectively. And c...

resolutionfoundation.org

Happy new tax year to all who celebrate! Here's a quick 🧵on the tax and benefit changes coming in this month in the context of rising energy bills. www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...

Happy new tax year 2026 • Resolution Foundation

The start of April marks the beginning of the new tax year, meaning households will face a wide range of tax, benefit and utility bill changes. Benefit changes in April will boost incomes for the poor...

resolutionfoundation.org

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

Changes to benefits and projected wage growth mean 2026-27 could see progressive income growth. But this week’s dramatic swings in energy prices loom large over the near-term living standards forecast...

Today’s labour market statistics show that the UK’s unemployment problem is growing, with youth unemployment at its highest rate in over a decade. Here’s our @resolutionfoundation.org thread, from me and @louisemurphy.bsky.social :

🚨 New Britain’s ‘unsung’ army – a million people in poorer working-age households now have full-time unpaid caring responsibilities .

Unchanged wage growth + less inflation = stronger real wages. The Bank projects more than twice as much real pay growth in the next three years (3.5%) as the OBR does over the next five (1.6%). If the Bank is right, that's a much rosier outlook for living standards.

Applications for our Research Training Programme 2026 are now open. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic graduates are invited to apply for a 12-week training programme based in our Westminster office and paid at the London Living Wage. Details here 👉 buff.ly/nHoxxJM

Today’s labour market stats show a weakening in employment, but with a glimmer of hope that pay growth may be picking up the pace. Our @resolutionfoundation.org thread from me and @charliemccurdy.bsky.social:

Adult social care is a vital public service, despite the mediocre pay and job conditions on offer to England’s 1.5 million social care workers. The creation of the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body is a welcome step forward. Here's how the Government can make a success ⤵️

Today’s labour market stats show a weakening jobs market, with rising unemployment and flatlining real pay. Some @resolutionfoundation.org key takeaways from me and @louisemurphy.bsky.social 🧵 ...

Have written a piece teeing up tomorrow's labour market stats, pointing out the sort-of obvious - that we currently have a problem with unemployment (i.e. demand) not just participation (i.e. supply). www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...

Labour Market Outlook Q4 2025 • Resolution Foundation

Employment has fallen over the past two years and is substantially lower than it was before the pandemic. Perhaps surprisingly given its central place in policy debates, participation is essentially u...

resolutionfoundation.org

Care workers are increasingly unhappy with their pay, despite the significant lifting of the wage floor in recent years. @charliemccurdy.bsky.social breaks down why that might be the case ⤵️

Adult social care is a vital public service. But this is not reflected in the pay and job quality on offer for England’s 1.5 million social care workers. Join us on Thursday to discuss how a Fair Pay Agreement could improve conditions for social care staff. Register here ➡️ buff.ly/4PVIAzP

The 2026 minimum wage rates have been announced: NLW: £12.21➡️£12.71. (+4.1%) 18-20-yo rate: £10➡️£10.85. (+8.5%) 16-17-yo rate: £7.55➡️£8.00. (+6%) Some context & thoughts on those uprating decisions:

Good to see this story over the weekend that the Government is doubling down on 'naming and shaming' employers who have been found to underpay the minimum wage. Our past research has shown that reputational concerns can help convince employers to play by the rules. www.thesun.co.uk/money/374030...

Rogue bosses face tougher 'naming and shaming' over minimum wage breaches

ROGUE bosses are set for more regular “naming and shaming” to ensure they pay national minimum wage workers the full amount.  Businesses breaking the rules will have no hiding place in a gover…

thesun.co.uk

Today’s labour market statistics show that the labour market is weakening on multiple fronts, with unemployment reaching 5 per cent for the first time in almost a decade (pandemic period aside). Here’s our @resolutionfoundation.org thread, from @nyecominetti.bsky.social and me.

Rare opportunity. We are currently recruiting for a member of our senior leadership team to take forward our work on productivity and growth. Do get in touch if interested. www.resolutionfoundation.org/about-us/opp...

Today the govt has named nearly 500 employers for underpaying the minimum wage. This an important tool for enforcing workers' rights - but needs to sit alongside proactive inspections and a well-resourced Fair Work Agency. Thread below... www.gov.uk/government/n...

£6 million repaid to workers as Government cracks down on employers underpaying their staff

Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage

gov.uk