Common Sense Policy Group

The prime minister wants fixing the crisis in social care to be the defining mission of his premiership.

Elliott Johnson, Professor of Public Policy from our School of Communities and Education and Public Affairs Lead for the @plancommonsense.bsky.social shares research-informed insights on the Prime Minister's speech at the Labour Party Conference for the @uk.theconversation.com More ⬇️

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...

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...

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 ⬇️

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...

📄 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....

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...

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...

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

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

@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?...

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...

🎙 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 youtu.be/q1cx921XUwU?...

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...

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

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

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:

The CSPG @northumbriauni.bsky.social has published a @bmj.com editorial ‘welfare system is a key public health measure’. Welfare cuts have worsened #HealthInequalities. A modest #BasicIncome could improve #health and reduce #poverty and #inequality rates in the UK. 📖 www.bmj.com/content/390/...

Austerity measures to reduce access to and generosity of working age, disability, and childhood benefits have failed to increase growth or curtail rising debt — but have contributed to widening health inequalities, @plancommonsense.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/390/...

Professor Matthew Johnson shares @fivebooks.com that explore the philosophy, politics and urgency of a #BasicIncome - from Marx to Hayek and Guy Standing. Read the full interview to discover why #BasicIncome really is the policy that changes everything! fivebooks.com/best-books/u...

NEW: "There is no alternative" Matthew Johnson, Professor of Public Policy @northumbriauni.bsky.social, chair @plancommonsense.bsky.social, makes the case for basic income: fivebooks.com/best-books/u... #BasicIncome #UBI cc @brisunipress.bsky.social

"Basic income is bold but necessary” Dr @ianrobsons.bsky.social, a community development worker with 30+ years in working-class communities shares how #BasicIncome could transform people's lives in Blyth, Northumberland. 📖 Basic Income OUT NOW: policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/basic-...

Great interview with Northumbria's Dr Elliott Johnson on @lbc.co.uk radio, as he discusses the research of the Common Sense Policy Group into the benefits of basic income.

“Really thought provoking” – Natasha Devon Dr Elliott Johnson joined @lbc.co.uk to discuss the transformative power of a #BasicIncome to enhance public health, increase financial security, and empower people across the income distribution. Listen from 02:10:11 www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...

@profkepickett.bsky.social spoke at Claim the Future’s conference, spotlighting CSPG’s work on #BasicIncome “A universal, predictable income could give everyone a stable foundation, reducing financial stress and opening up opportunities.” labourhub.org.uk/2025/07/22/p... @labour-hub.bsky.social

Dr Elliott Johnson on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social with Rod Liddle, discussing how #EconomicInsecurity is reshaping political preference across class lines and the implications of this shift 🎧 Listen from 2:05:00: www.thetimes.com/radio/show/2... #CommonSense #VoterBehaviour #WelfareReform

Dr Elliott Johnson, speaking to @londonassembly.bsky.social last week, backed basic income as the most effective way to tackle disincentives and address the health, crime and social harm driven by income insecurity. Watch more: webcasts.london.gov.uk/Assembly/Eve... #BasicIncome #AssemblyEconomy

New welfare changes are unfair, worsen incentives, and deliver no savings. Flawed fiscal rules can’t justify damaging cuts or regressive policy. We challenge both the policy and the thinking behind it. commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/spen... #CommonSense #BasicIncome #WelfareReformBill

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 We challenge the flawed assumptions behind the UK Government’s fiscal strategy, exposing the long-term economic damage caused by sustained spending cuts and regressive welfare policies. Read the full report here: commonsense.northumbria.ac.uk/reports/spen... #CommonSense #BasicIncome

CSPG's Epidemiology Lead @profkepickett.bsky.social in @theguardian.com making the case for Basic Income as a powerful upstream intervention to reduce pressure on the NHS and improve population health in the poorest areas. Read more: www.theguardian.com/society/2025... #CommonSense #BasicIncome

#AssemblyEconomy will meet tomorrow to understand the benefits and drawbacks associated with a Universal Basic Income (UBI) – payments made to all people without a means test or work requirement. www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/w...

What are the pros and cons of a Universal Basic Income in London? Tune in to the #AssemblyEconomy meeting from 10am to find out: webcasts.london.gov.uk/Assembly

Upcoming event for #IndependentBookshopWeek! Basic income can no longer be dismissed as a utopian idea — it’s being tested worldwide. But can it truly transform economies and societies? 📅Fri, 20 June, 7:00 PM: buff.ly/hJcvPU6