Ben Cooper
@bencooper1995.bsky.social
1.3K followers 370 following 86 posts
Research Manager, the Fabians. Interested in education, housing, Sea Wall and rural. Union rep.
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Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
Want to know how we can deliver 1.5 million new homes this Parliament? Read ‘Breaking ground’ here 👇

fabians.org.uk/publication/...
Breaking ground | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
fabians.org.uk
Reposted by Ben Cooper
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
We will struggle to deliver 1.5 million new homes if we do not unleash the potential of SME builders across the country. This session will explore how we can remove the barriers faced by small housebuilders.
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
From The Ground Up: Expanding the Role of SMEs to Deliver the 1.5 Million New Homes

Monday 29 | 16.15 | Bluecoat | @nationwidefdtn.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
Should we reform inheritance tax?
 💰

@bencooper1995.bsky.social makes the case for a cap on lifetime tax-free gifts on Times Radio.
bencooper1995.bsky.social
"The country risks serious political consequences from successive generations being locked out of the benefits of homeownership in a country perceived to be failing them"

I'm in @labourlist.bsky.social on why Labour must help 1st time buyers onto the property ladder

labourlist.org/2025/08/home...
'Young people are locked out of homeownership – bold action is needed' - LabourList
The government must urgently tackle the barriers that are preventing the expectation of homeownership from becoming a reality.
labourlist.org
bencooper1995.bsky.social
I'm in the Times arguing why there should be a lifetime cap on tax-free gifts.

Income gained through luck or crafty financial planning shouldn't always be tax-free.

If we believe in equality of opportunity, a cap is necessary.

www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
Take a look at all our partners below 👇
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
Introducing the Festival of Ideas

This September we're bringing our biggest and boldest Labour Party Conference programme EVER to Liverpool.

📢 40+ events
⚡ A new home at @theBluecoat
💬 The sharpest voices, the biggest questions, and the boldest ideas shaping the future of the left.
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
You can read ‘Repair, Reuse, Recycle - Making The Circular Economy in England Work At Scale’ here ⬇️

fabians.org.uk/publication/...
Repair, reuse, recycle | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
fabians.org.uk
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
🔁 Invest in infrastructure for large scale critical mineral recycling, stimulating further private sector investment

🥫Mandate all large businesses to sign up to the food waste roadmap, rather than relying on voluntary commitments
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
🔧 Introduce a cap on repair prices within ‘right to repair’ legislation 

 🏗️ Abolish VAT for building refurbishments and repairs to level the playing field with new build.
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
The report sets out several policies that would help turn the tide and should be included in the upcoming circular economy strategy.

The government could:

🎯 Introduce a target for England to reduce raw material use to under eight tonnes per person by 2050
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
But several factors have held back progression to a more circular economy, including a lack of political prioritisation by successive governments, a lack of clear targets, and a lack of financial incentives 💵
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
Developing a more circular economy, where waste is reduced and materials stay in circulation for longer, has numerous benefits - from increased resource security and reduced emissions, to benefits to the economy and consumers.
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
England produced 191m tonnes of waste in the last year data was recorded, and our material footprint has risen to 20.1 tonnes per capita in a year.

That's the same as the weight of 4 African elephants. 

🐘🐘🐘🐘
Reposted by Ben Cooper
eloisesacares.bsky.social
Delighted to launch this @thefabians.bsky.social report today on how England can reduce waste and make the circular economy work at scale. 

We are currently going in the wrong direction on resource use, but there are several practical steps the government can take to turn this around.

🧵
thefabians.bsky.social
🚨NEW REPORT🚨

In 2022, the UK’s material footprint hit 20.1 tonnes per capital, the highest since 2008, and it’s still rising.

How do we turn this around?

In ‘Repair, Reuse, Recycle’ @eloisesacares.bsky.social sets it out. 🧵
bencooper1995.bsky.social
Building 1.5m new homes is a stretching target

It will require starts to nearly double, compared to previous parliament

But the Gov will be judged on delivery so further reform is needed

That is why @thefabians.bsky.social have established a Housing Centre

www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...
bencooper1995.bsky.social
Read the North East Action Plan on child poverty here: www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/educati...

Read my report on early years poverty recommending a Health in Pregnancy Grant, and Baby Boxes here: fabians.org.uk/publication/...
First steps | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
fabians.org.uk
bencooper1995.bsky.social
Great to see the North East Mayor commit to trialling a Health in Pregnancy Grant and Baby Boxes.

First Steps, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, recommended implementing both nationally.

Let's hope where the North East leads, the forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy follows.
Reposted by Ben Cooper
thefabians.bsky.social
🚨WE’RE HIRING!🚨

Want to work on high-impact research and be at the heart of policy development?

We’re recruiting:

✅ Senior Researcher / Researcher
✅ Research Assistant

🔗 Learn more: fabians.org.uk/about-us/rec...