Stu Mackinnon
@stumackinnon.bsky.social
Head of comms and advocacy at Carnegie UK - a foundation that works on wellbeing policy.
Scotch pie, science fiction and rugby enthusiast.
Scotch pie, science fiction and rugby enthusiast.
Excellent interview with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social in the indispensable @policyunstuck.bsky.social newsletter: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk/p/the-lived-... includes some thoughts about lived experience from the perspective of a policymaker.
🪞 The lived experience paradox
Kirsty McNeill MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, speaks to Tom Hashemi.
policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Excellent interview with @kirstymcneill.bsky.social in the indispensable @policyunstuck.bsky.social newsletter: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk/p/the-lived-... includes some thoughts about lived experience from the perspective of a policymaker.
"Barber’s theory is that ministers take a year to work out how government works and that by year three, it is too late." www.ft.com/content/368f... < with the Missions approach sunk below the waterline, you might ask change in what direction?
Starmer came to power promising action — but change is taking longer than his MPs expected
Some targets are long-term overhauls, others have been dogged by delays. But ministers failed to focus on delivery early on
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
"Barber’s theory is that ministers take a year to work out how government works and that by year three, it is too late." www.ft.com/content/368f... < with the Missions approach sunk below the waterline, you might ask change in what direction?
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
My @carnegieuk.bsky.social colleague, Susan Pitney, is part of this Demos event, sharing the findings from our most recent Life in the UK index. Follow along via the link below. 👇
📢🎤 STARTING NOW | Making citizens’ voices heard: Accountability in a Healthy Democracy.
Tune into this critical conversation on how #governments, #institutions and #citizens can strengthen accountability and participation in public life. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/live/UEvFpLF...
Tune into this critical conversation on how #governments, #institutions and #citizens can strengthen accountability and participation in public life. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/live/UEvFpLF...
Making Citizens’ Voices Heard: Accountability in a healthy democracy
YouTube video by Demos
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
My @carnegieuk.bsky.social colleague, Susan Pitney, is part of this Demos event, sharing the findings from our most recent Life in the UK index. Follow along via the link below. 👇
I'm really enjoying this book. Do you want a list of my favourite books this year?
December 8, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I'm really enjoying this book. Do you want a list of my favourite books this year?
This is good analysis: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The fact that the NDR system is so complex that government and parliamentary lawyers couldn't spot a big legislative flaw is maybe a sign.
Is Holyrood bad at making laws?
Recent emergency measures to fix legislative issues may point to a wider problem in how Holyrood operates.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 11:21 AM
This is good analysis: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The fact that the NDR system is so complex that government and parliamentary lawyers couldn't spot a big legislative flaw is maybe a sign.
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
🔈 NEW EVENT 🔈
Join us, WISERD and Carnegie UK as we reflect on 10 years of the Future Generations Act, and debate how we can enable it to deliver its policy aspirations better ⤵️
🗓️ 15 January
⏰ 10am
📍Cardiff
🔗 https://ow.ly/ABUC50XyZHA
Co-production Network for Wales Calvin Jones
Join us, WISERD and Carnegie UK as we reflect on 10 years of the Future Generations Act, and debate how we can enable it to deliver its policy aspirations better ⤵️
🗓️ 15 January
⏰ 10am
📍Cardiff
🔗 https://ow.ly/ABUC50XyZHA
Co-production Network for Wales Calvin Jones
November 28, 2025 at 11:40 AM
🔈 NEW EVENT 🔈
Join us, WISERD and Carnegie UK as we reflect on 10 years of the Future Generations Act, and debate how we can enable it to deliver its policy aspirations better ⤵️
🗓️ 15 January
⏰ 10am
📍Cardiff
🔗 https://ow.ly/ABUC50XyZHA
Co-production Network for Wales Calvin Jones
Join us, WISERD and Carnegie UK as we reflect on 10 years of the Future Generations Act, and debate how we can enable it to deliver its policy aspirations better ⤵️
🗓️ 15 January
⏰ 10am
📍Cardiff
🔗 https://ow.ly/ABUC50XyZHA
Co-production Network for Wales Calvin Jones
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Is the UK Government preparing the ground for a council tax revaluation? Read my new @carnegieuk.bsky.social blog looking at the technical moves that make policy change possible: carnegieuk.org/blog/satelli...
December 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Is the UK Government preparing the ground for a council tax revaluation? Read my new @carnegieuk.bsky.social blog looking at the technical moves that make policy change possible: carnegieuk.org/blog/satelli...
Is the UK Government preparing the ground for a council tax revaluation? Read my new @carnegieuk.bsky.social blog looking at the technical moves that make policy change possible: carnegieuk.org/blog/satelli...
December 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Is the UK Government preparing the ground for a council tax revaluation? Read my new @carnegieuk.bsky.social blog looking at the technical moves that make policy change possible: carnegieuk.org/blog/satelli...
Great to be at the Re:State conference in Liverpool today
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Great to be at the Re:State conference in Liverpool today
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Grab a copy of The @yorkshirepost.co.uk this morning to read @sarahdavidson.bsky.social make the case for systematically improving people's wellbeing in England:
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
Devolution offers an opportunity to bring decision-making closer to communities but local leaders must involve citizens - Sarah Davidson
When Health Secretary Wes Streeting said, “…there’s deep disillusionment in this country at the moment, and I would say a growing sense of despair, about whether anyone is capable of turning this coun...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Grab a copy of The @yorkshirepost.co.uk this morning to read @sarahdavidson.bsky.social make the case for systematically improving people's wellbeing in England:
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
I am thrilled to learn that Scotland will play Argentina in their first match of the Nations Championship www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Nations Championship to feature north v south hemisphere contest
The Twickenham finale of next year's new Nations Championship event will pit the north and south of global rugby against each other.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I am thrilled to learn that Scotland will play Argentina in their first match of the Nations Championship www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Interesting call from the TUC about the OBR. What would truly responsible budgeting look like?
www.tuc.org.uk/news/unaccou...
www.tuc.org.uk/news/unaccou...
Unaccountable OBR risks being a “strait-jacket on growth”, warns TUC - as it calls for “modernisation” of body
The TUC has today (Sunday) raised concerns about the “unaccountable OBR” – as the union body warned their discredited assumptions risk being a “strait-jacket on growth” and urged modernisation of the ...
www.tuc.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Interesting call from the TUC about the OBR. What would truly responsible budgeting look like?
www.tuc.org.uk/news/unaccou...
www.tuc.org.uk/news/unaccou...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
And our Life in the UK stats for England are mentioned in The Times this morning: www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Ready for take-off? Launch your career on an innovative internship
With most employers preferring candidates with relevant experience, placements are crucial for job advancement
www.thetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
And our Life in the UK stats for England are mentioned in The Times this morning: www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Our Life in the UK data was featured in this article looking at wellbeing in different countries: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Luxembourg named number one in the world for 'quality of life'
Luxembourg has been named the number one place in the world for quality of life, while the UK remains out of the top 20, languishing behind countries like Lithuania and Slovenia.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Our Life in the UK data was featured in this article looking at wellbeing in different countries: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Very cool to see @carnegieuk.bsky.social data and graphics in this report looking at global living standards
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Luxembourg named number one in the world for 'quality of life'
Luxembourg has been named the number one place in the world for quality of life, while the UK remains out of the top 20, languishing behind countries like Lithuania and Slovenia.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Very cool to see @carnegieuk.bsky.social data and graphics in this report looking at global living standards
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Back in London for a few meetings and then the @smartthinking.bsky.social awards.
Fingers crossed for @carnegieuk.bsky.social! Our Life in UK Index is a contender for best report. Read about the latest output here: www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
Fingers crossed for @carnegieuk.bsky.social! Our Life in UK Index is a contender for best report. Read about the latest output here: www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
Average person’s life saw ‘no meaningful improvement’ over past year – charity
Carnegie UK found stagnating wellbeing and persistent hardship for millions of people since 2023.
www.independent.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Back in London for a few meetings and then the @smartthinking.bsky.social awards.
Fingers crossed for @carnegieuk.bsky.social! Our Life in UK Index is a contender for best report. Read about the latest output here: www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
Fingers crossed for @carnegieuk.bsky.social! Our Life in UK Index is a contender for best report. Read about the latest output here: www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...
Economic hardship worse in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, report finds www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Economic hardship worse in the north than rest of UK, report finds
People in the north are less likely than the UK average to be able to afford things like unexpected bills, socialising outside of their home once a month, and a week’s annual holiday away from home
www.irishnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Economic hardship worse in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, report finds www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Oh wise ones. Any idea of the impact that behavioural changes associated with this move would have on the SG's budget? Fewer people using salary sacrifice maybe thus higher tax receipts? www.ft.com/content/1160...
Cap on UK salary sacrifice benefits is ‘short-term’ choice, warn experts
Employers may lower amount they pay into staff pension pots
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Oh wise ones. Any idea of the impact that behavioural changes associated with this move would have on the SG's budget? Fewer people using salary sacrifice maybe thus higher tax receipts? www.ft.com/content/1160...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Economic hardship worse in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, report finds @irishnews.com www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Economic hardship worse in the north than rest of UK, report finds
People in the north are less likely than the UK average to be able to afford things like unexpected bills, socialising outside of their home once a month, and a week’s annual holiday away from home
www.irishnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Economic hardship worse in Northern Ireland than rest of UK, report finds @irishnews.com www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Smashing to see @graceblakeley.substack.com look more closely at Carnegie's Life in the UK data: bsky.app/profile/grac...
72% do not feel that they can influence decisions affecting the UK.
Why? Because our political and economic institutions have been captured by the wealthy.
And our democracy is failing as a result.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uks-fa...
Why? Because our political and economic institutions have been captured by the wealthy.
And our democracy is failing as a result.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uks-fa...
The UK's Failing Democracy
The Carnegie Foundation's Life in the UK report shows the weakness of UK democracy, and the suffering caused as a result .
graceblakeley.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Smashing to see @graceblakeley.substack.com look more closely at Carnegie's Life in the UK data: bsky.app/profile/grac...
I'd like to see Scottish political parties pledge to sort out our tight head problem. Better yet, clone Zander: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Can Scotland find way to end All Blacks hoodoo?
Can Scotland end
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I'd like to see Scottish political parties pledge to sort out our tight head problem. Better yet, clone Zander: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...
Holyrood’s delivery problem: bold ideas, weak results www.heraldscotland.com/news/2559919... < I like this by Hannah Brown. I think that weak delivery also undermines the case for government action full stop in the eyes of the public.
Unspun: Why Holyrood keeps promising change — but struggles to make it real
Concerns have been raised about Scotland having a "implementation gap". We promise a lot in Holyrood but then deliver little - so what's…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Holyrood’s delivery problem: bold ideas, weak results www.heraldscotland.com/news/2559919... < I like this by Hannah Brown. I think that weak delivery also undermines the case for government action full stop in the eyes of the public.
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Trust in government in Wales lower than England reveals report - @nation.cymru - nation.cymru/news/trust-i...
Trust in government in Wales lower than England reveals report
Trust in the UK Government is lower in Wales than England while trust in the Welsh Government has declined over the last two years, according to a new report. Carnegie’s Life in the UK Index outlines ...
nation.cymru
November 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Trust in government in Wales lower than England reveals report - @nation.cymru - nation.cymru/news/trust-i...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Scotland’s wellbeing modestly improves but gaps remain, report finds - @heraldscotland.bsky.social - www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558990...
Scotland’s wellbeing rises modestly - but gaps persist
Scotland has seen modest improvements in the wellbeing of its population over the past two years, according to a new report from Carnegie UK.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Scotland’s wellbeing modestly improves but gaps remain, report finds - @heraldscotland.bsky.social - www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558990...
Reposted by Stu Mackinnon
Wales' collective wellbeing scores have once again stagnated & trust in our decision-makers has decreased.
As we head to a Senedd election in 2026, we continue to call for better policy making to tackle our systemic challenges and ensure better economic and democratic outcomes for people in Wales.
As we head to a Senedd election in 2026, we continue to call for better policy making to tackle our systemic challenges and ensure better economic and democratic outcomes for people in Wales.
📢 New report | Our 2025 #LifeInTheUK Wales research shows the lives of people in Wales have not improved in the past year. Trust in the UK Govt is lower in Wales than in England, while trust in the Welsh Govt has declined over the last 2 years.
Find out more: carnegieuk.org/publication/...
Find out more: carnegieuk.org/publication/...
Life in the UK 2025 Wales - Carnegie UK
carnegieuk.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Wales' collective wellbeing scores have once again stagnated & trust in our decision-makers has decreased.
As we head to a Senedd election in 2026, we continue to call for better policy making to tackle our systemic challenges and ensure better economic and democratic outcomes for people in Wales.
As we head to a Senedd election in 2026, we continue to call for better policy making to tackle our systemic challenges and ensure better economic and democratic outcomes for people in Wales.