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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 5d

“Since the levy was introduced, the number of apprenticeship starts has fallen by a third.”

If the PM’s apprenticeship plan is to work, it must reform the failed levy argues @joedromey.bsky.social for @politicshome.bsky.social.

www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Joe Dromey @joedromey.bsky.social · 7d

The Festival of Ideas was the biggest and boldest Labour Party Programme we’ve ever had at @thefabians.bsky.social

✅42 events across 4 days
✅Over 2,000 attendees
✅Over 50 Ministers & MPs
✅Exploring the big issues of our time

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 8d

And now great to see Starmer reiterating that living standards is the top priority.

Here’s our analysis and proposals for how to improve living standards in practice:

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Jun 6

Living standards declined under the last government, for the first time on record - according to our new analysis

Today, our report shows how this government can do better

And we argue next week’s spending review must pass the “living standards test”

Now...some charts!

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 8d

Our Back to Business session with @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @catherineatkinson.bsky.social, @lukeraikes.bsky.social

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 20d

As I argued here: bsky.app/profile/luke...

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Why even small-scale local levies could make a big difference to local areas, for the MJ

Visitor levies, business rate supplements and land value capture - give places the tools they need

www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 20d

About time for England to let its mayors do the same.

Eluned Morgan @prifweinidog.gov.wales · 20d

We love welcoming visitors from around the world to Wales—and we want to continue doing so for years to come.

I’m delighted to seal the Visitor Levy Bill. It allows councils to introduce a small change on overnight stays, with all funds reinvested locally to support tourism.

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 23d

Great to see coverage of @sasjkia.bsky.social’s report, ‘Nye Bevan’s lost legacy’ in both the @financialtimes.com and @theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...

www.ft.com/content/868f...

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Ben Cooper @bencooper1995.bsky.social · 28d

Excited to be joining @labourlist.bsky.social as a monthly columnist

I'll be writing on housing, early years and a range of other topics

I may even write about the Sea Wall and coastal areas - if I can sneak it past @emmaburnell.bsky.social

labourlist.org/2025/09/meet...

Meet the new LabourList columnists - LabourList

LabourList announces a raft of new columnists including Deborah Mattinson, Paul Nowak and Stella Tsantekidou.

labourlist.org

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Sep 8

🚨NEW REPORT🚨

How do we extend sick pay protection to the self-employed?

In ‘Ill-Prepared’ @eloisesacares.bsky.social sets out a roadmap for a full employment insurance system by the end of next parliament.

Here’s what you need to know🧵

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Sep 7

New @thefabians report out today, proposing “sick pay” for the self-employed:

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Sep 7

Great to see @eloisesacares.bsky.social's latest report, ‘Ill-Prepared’, featured in the Mirror.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Sep 7

New @thefabians report out today, proposing “sick pay” for the self-employed:

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Sep 7

Great to see @eloisesacares.bsky.social's latest report, ‘Ill-Prepared’, featured in the Mirror.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Eloise Sacares @eloisesacares.bsky.social · Sep 6

Brilliant to see my upcoming report on sick pay for the self employed covered in the Mirror today.

Self-employed workers currently stand to lose 81 per cent of their income if they fall sick, leaving many in precarious situations.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Self-employed workers without sick pay are 'illness away from financial ruin'

A new report out urges the government to introduce a sickness insurance system for the self-employed, and end the “threadbare support system” that leaves them without security

www.mirror.co.uk

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Sep 2

The employment rights bill is vital.

But we also need to answer the question: what makes someone an employee?

Our answer will affect some of the most vulnerable people in the labour market.

Me for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social @thefabians.bsky.social

leftfootforward.org/2025/09/new-...

New employment rights will make defining an employee more important than ever

'It is now more important than ever to address a surprisingly difficult question: who will be entitled to these employment rights'

leftfootforward.org

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Sep 2

Drawing on our in-depth study of 'bogus self-employment', the gig economy and employment status here:
fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Employment status | Fabian Society

Fabian Society

fabians.org.uk

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Sep 2

The employment rights bill is vital.

But we also need to answer the question: what makes someone an employee?

Our answer will affect some of the most vulnerable people in the labour market.

Me for @left-foot-forward.bsky.social @thefabians.bsky.social

leftfootforward.org/2025/09/new-...

New employment rights will make defining an employee more important than ever

'It is now more important than ever to address a surprisingly difficult question: who will be entitled to these employment rights'

leftfootforward.org

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Why even small-scale local levies could make a big difference to local areas, for the MJ

Visitor levies, business rate supplements and land value capture - give places the tools they need

www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Another excuse to post this chart:

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Why even small-scale local levies could make a big difference to local areas, for the MJ

Visitor levies, business rate supplements and land value capture - give places the tools they need

www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

1 3 4

Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Aug 28

“The Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will soon be debated in parliament. MPs must heed the call from mayors and councils to give them the tools to do their job”

Fiscal devolution can boost growth and raise living standards, writes @lukeraikes.bsky.social

themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Aug 26

Should we reform inheritance tax?  💰

@bencooper1995.bsky.social makes the case for a cap on lifetime tax-free gifts on Times Radio.

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Ben Cooper @bencooper1995.bsky.social · Aug 25

"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

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Ben Cooper @bencooper1995.bsky.social · Aug 20

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...

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 19

As we @thefabians.bsky.social said here:

fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · Aug 19

Catching up with this excellent piece by @rjpartington.bsky.social

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Aug 17

Want more productivity, Rachel Reeves? It’s time to embrace Mancunian swagger | Richard Partington

Manchester is closing the gap on London, with public money having helped to ‘crowd in’ a lot of private investment

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Luke Raikes

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · Aug 13

🚨NEW REPORT🚨

Since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy there has been a 34% decline in young people starting apprenticeships.

How do we reverse this?

In ‘Levying-Up’, @joedromey.bsky.social and @sasjkia.bsky.social call for reform of the levy to drive growth and unlock opportunity🧵

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