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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 4d

But funding the FPA from April 2028 isn't consistent with the ministers' current spending plans

- Only around £1.4bn new funding is planned for social care in 2028
- The FPA and regular pay rises would consume at least £900m

The sector should negotiate in good faith, hoping more ££ comes later 2/2

Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 4d

Post on DHSC's plans for the social care Fair Pay Agreement

- The proposals are robust
- April 2028 launch sensible
- The £500m budget for the FPA is enough to start bargaining (esp as it only covers publicly-paid care)

But more will be needed >2029

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cradle2grave.substack.com/p/paying-for...

Paying for fair pay

The social care Fair Pay Agreement will be introduced in 2028. But can it be funded from existing spending plans?

cradle2grave.substack.com

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 9d

Keir’s goal of an end to child poverty and childhood hunger is HUGE.

It requires a reordering of labour markets, housing markets, public services and social security. Now we need a plan to make it happen.

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Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 10d

Fabian general secretaries, 2003-25 @sundersays.bsky.social 2003-11 with @andrewharrop.bsky.social 2011-24 & @joedromey.bsky.social 2025-onwards

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 10d

“Not taking a penny in benefits”

Seriously?

Child benefit
Universal credit while working
State pension based on contribution
PIP with severe disability?

Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 10d

Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:

Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering

Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 12d

It was a gradual process

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 12d

A good day to join the Fabians…

fabians.org.uk/membership/j...

Join | Fabian Society

Fabian Society

fabians.org.uk

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 16d

There is sound logic to a ‘tax switch’ from employee NICs to income tax, not least for the slice of NI that goes to the NHS.

But LAB doesn’t have political headroom to raise taxes on mid income pensioners now.

➡️Reeves should do this switch only with the higher/additional rate

on.ft.com/3KhcUtu

Rachel Reeves urged to break Labour manifesto pledge and raise income tax

Resolution Foundation suggests chancellor should cut employee national insurance to ease burden on workers

on.ft.com

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 24d

Excellent to see proposals on workplace health published by @thefabians.bsky.social concluding a project we were setting up as I left.

A serious plan for large employers to fund quality occupational health & government to help SMEs

on.ft.com/3Inh1U4

Health levy needed to stem tide of people leaving UK workforce, says think-tank

Ministers are increasingly concerned about rising number dropping out of employment due to sickness and disability

on.ft.com

2

Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 25d

It’s hard to argue that pay is out of control when it’s only a whisker over inflation.

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · 27d

Bike crashes requiring ambulance attendance were up 44%

Which means cycling in London during the strike was even safer than usual… rider numbers were well over double

www.thetimes.com/article/fca8...

Bike crashes rise during Tube strike, ambulance service says

Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has faced criticism for not doing more to settle the dispute between the RMT union and Transport for London

www.thetimes.com

2

Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Toby Nangle @tobyn.bsky.social · Sep 5

🚨 How bad is UK fiscal vs G7 peers?
on.ft.com/462WKLd

Historic budget deficits and IMF projections through 2030 for G7 members

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Aug 30

As with Trump, it’s never just about ‘illegal’ immigration

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Aug 30

Life’s getting a bit more crap here if you are a person from an ethnic minority 🧵

2

Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Aug 30

Life’s getting a bit more crap here if you are a person from an ethnic minority 🧵

38 180 510

Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Chris Rivers @chrisrivers50.bsky.social · Aug 2

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Aug 2

NEW POST - National Care Service: A Quiet First Step

The government has taken a big step towards creating the National Care Service without telling anyone!

...all in one paragraph of this summer's Fair Funding proposals for local government finance

cradle2grave.substack.com/p/national-c...

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Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · Jul 25

1. New data shows employers investing 36% less in training per employee than in 2005 in real terms. This is both a cause and consequence of low economic growth & policy instability. It comes alongside a £1bn (20%) real terms cut in Government investment in adult skills in England compared to 2010.

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 25

Things that could get overlooked?

- turning saving pots into pensions for life

- pushing saving beyond minimum defaults

- urgent action to dig Gen X out of a hole

Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 25

Top of commissioners’ in-tray:

- whether and how to raise pension contributions

- state pension adequacy & affordability

- tackling inequalities & widening access

2/3

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 25

New substack post: The pensions commission resurrected

- Incomes for private pensions are set to plunge in the next 2 decades

- Almost half of working age adults aren’t saving

Will the new review find answers?

1/3

cradle2grave.substack.com/p/the-pensio...

The Pensions Commission resurrected

A comprehensive review of pensions adequacy could lead to higher retirement incomes and lower inequalities

cradle2grave.substack.com

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Reposted by Andrew Harrop

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Jul 24

The government’s Pensions Commission, launched on monday, presents an important opportunity to address these challenges.

To find out more about how to help end pensioner poverty, read ‘Mature decisions’ & 'When I'm 64' 👇

fabians.org.uk/publication/...

fabians.org.uk/publication/...

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 21

Higher income Gen-Xers are in for a HUGE shock re their (our!) retirement incomes. DWP stats show a high-earner retiring in 2043 will have 13% LESS income than their 2027 peer.

With policy change ruled out until 2030, ministers are leaving 40/50s to sort for themselves

www.gov.uk/government/s...

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 21

(3) permission to think about:

- non-pension assets ('and wider savaings')
- income/work problems before state pension age ('supporting those approaching retirement')
- long-term, macro issues of ageing (...could go anywhere?)

(4) As expected, no policies to take effect this parliament

2/2

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 21

Immediate thoughts on the Pensions Commission terms of reference:

(1) exclusively about future pensioners (are there no issues facing current cohorts?)

(2) to focus on lowest income / risk of poverty AND biggest under-savers (these are mainly not the same people)

1/2

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Pensions Commission: Terms of Reference

www.gov.uk

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Andrew Harrop @andrewharrop.bsky.social · Jul 21

Today I'm feeling nostalgic for this 2020 joint report from @thefabians.bsky.social & @brightblueuk.bsky.social on the case for a new PENSIONS COMMISSION.

Only 5 years too soon... with lots of ideas on how to make the commission work re remit, operation & impact

fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Framing the Future | Fabian Society

Fabian Society

fabians.org.uk

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