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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · 13d

Civil society is one of the UK’s greatest assets, but it needs a Civil Society Evidence Organisation (CSEVO): a hub to access evidence, cut duplication & support smarter decisions.

We have a plan: £2.5m over 5 yrs, co-funded by government and the sector.

Read the report: pbe.co.uk/publications...

Better evidence, better outcomes: The business case for a Civil Society Evidence Organisation | PBE

Civil society is one of the UK’s greatest assets. It is driven by innovation, rooted in communities, and committed to tackling some of the nation’s most complex challenges, but it faces barriers that ...

pbe.co.uk

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · 16d

Free2Talk offers something vital for LGBTQ+ young people: a safe, identity-affirming space to belong.

@karol122.bsky.social and @charlotteprothero.bsky.social share Charlie’s story, and the value of the programme which could deliver £4 of wellbeing benefit for every £1 spent.

Read it here 👇

Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves a safe space | PBE

Charlie* was looking for somewhere they could explore their emerging identity and feel supported as they considered socially transitioning – that is, beginning to live and be recognised in everyday li...

pbe.co.uk

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · 14d

The evidence is overwhelming: prioritising wellbeing drives measurable benefits for employees, shareholders, customers, and wider society.

In her latest article for our ‘Economics to improve lives’ series, Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing at Hays UK&I says wellbeing is a business imperative.

Prioritising wellbeing: A strategic imperative for balanced business outcomes | PBE

By Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing, Hays UK&I In today’s rapidly evolving work landscape, the question isn’t whether wellbeing should be part of corporate strategy – it’s why any forward-thinking b...

pbe.co.uk

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · 18d

I'm not sure re the recordings, so will check..

And agree re the networking. As we grow and develop the network over time we'll want to do some in person events too.

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · 21d

What is “the good life”?

Lord Blunkett argues it’s not just about money: dignity, purpose, community & a fair start in life all matter.

His article in the #EconToImproveLives series makes the case for investing in young people’s wellbeing, from early years to employment.

pbe.co.uk/insights/wel...

Wellbeing for the next generation: lessons from Sure Start and beyond | PBE

By Lord David Blunkett I was recently asked in an interview what I thought was the “good life”, which rather threw me. What is a “good life” for one person might be an absolute nightmare for another. ...

pbe.co.uk

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · 22d

Yeah, the timeline can be pretty long sometimes. But if you've got the worst of the pain out of the way early on, told a good story about it all, and can point to things moving in the right direction, then the power of the incumbent means there's a decent chance the 'next' government is also you

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · 22d

Unpopular *in the short to medium term*, right? Voters might need reminding when the payoff comes, but it will come. That's why, when handed an unexpectedly large majority, a government should be rubbing its hands together and saying "oh boy, now we get to do the unpopular but good stuff"

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · 26d

📣Calling analysts working in and around the social sector. Come join the next @pbe.co.uk Social Sector Economists Network meeting and explore new work on perinatal depression and on the size of the UK’s impact economy 📣

2 October | 10:00–11:30 | Online
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7b825d...

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · 28d

Online training for analysts on using HM Treasury’s wellbeing guidance

In partnership with State of Life and LSE, the workshop will give you the tools to use wellbeing measurement in business cases, appraisals and evaluations.

4.5 hour workshops across 21 & 23 Oct

Apply to attend👇

Wellbeing valuation workshop request | PBE

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please complete the form below. We will get in touch after reviewing your request to let you know if we can help.

pbe.co.uk

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Understanding Society @usociety.bsky.social · 27d

New case study! Charity @pbe.co.uk used our data to show that the £28 billion annual bill for disability benefits creates £42bn in positive effects

Wellbeing boost from disability benefits outweighs cost - Understanding Society

Wellbeing boost from disability benefits worth £12,300 per person New case study shows wellbeing boost from disability benefits worth £12,300 per person

www.understandingsociety.ac.uk

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 8

I wonder if that bee has ever encountered a larger comedian

(In the physical sense, that is. The odds are firmly against it having met one with a bigger presence).

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 8

Typically thoughtful - and thought provoking - stuff from @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social on the urgent need to understand how AI disruption is playing out across society (for better and worse) and then respond accordingly. Another great contribution to the @pbe.co.uk 'Economics to improve lives' series

PBE @pbe.co.uk · Sep 8

"Without suitable measures of organisations’ adoption of AI, policymakers will be unable to shape this powerful technology in ways that benefit society as a whole." - @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social's in her new article for #EconToImproveLives

pbe.co.uk/insights/eco...

Economic progress in the age of AI | PBE

By Diane Coyle If you spend less than four hours and 20 minutes a day online, you are below average for the UK. Using apps and online services, many of them free, is part of the fabric of daily life…

pbe.co.uk

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

PBE @pbe.co.uk · Sep 8

"Without suitable measures of organisations’ adoption of AI, policymakers will be unable to shape this powerful technology in ways that benefit society as a whole." - @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social's in her new article for #EconToImproveLives

pbe.co.uk/insights/eco...

Economic progress in the age of AI | PBE

By Diane Coyle If you spend less than four hours and 20 minutes a day online, you are below average for the UK. Using apps and online services, many of them free, is part of the fabric of daily life…

pbe.co.uk

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 6

The brilliant 808 State tonight

Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · Sep 5

Here's a slightly crazy diagram illustrating today's major Cabinet reshuffle

You're welcome

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 5

A Radiohead and Resolution Foundation crossover? Yes please! Great Top of the Charts from @ruthcurtice.bsky.social and team. Would love to see footage of the editorial meeting that rejected options like High and Dry, Reckoner & Electioneering though www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/stic...

Sticky prices and sh*tty platforms • Resolution Foundation

Hi all, Set your calendars for late November — and no, not just Radiohead’s first tour in seven years. It’s Rachel Reeves’s second Budget (see our chart of the week for more). Reeves is under pressure...

www.resolutionfoundation.org

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 4

"Powerpoint Plant" was right there

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 4

Throw in access to the swimming pool and regular ice cream drops from Jack and it starts to sound positively utopian

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Helen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · Sep 4

Out tomorrow: our expert, cross-party Poverty Strategy Commission report. We propose a new social contract & plan to lift 4.2 million people out of poverty, incl 2.2 million stranded in deep poverty. Thanks @patrickjbutler.bsky.social for the insightful write up www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Scrap two-child benefit cap to help lift 4m people out of poverty, government urged

Exclusive: Cross-party Poverty Strategy Commission says abolishing limit would be part of its ‘once in a generation’ plan

www.theguardian.com

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Sep 4

Funnily enough, after you'd left Sue said something along the lines of "can we keep him?" which, taken out of context, is pretty kidnappy

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Joe Sarling @joesarling.bsky.social · Aug 27

Fascinating paper exploring the economic impact of populist leaders coming to power. Lots in here but two key things for me:
1. Over 15 years GDP/capita decreases by 10%; with
2. No discernible change to inequality over same period.

Paper: iacmr.org/wp-content/u...

HT @justinwolfers.bsky.social

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Jack Bailey @jack-bailey.co.uk · Sep 1

Have fun everyone! Looking forward to see what you do with our data! Big shout to @jamesdgriffiths.bsky.social and Stuart Perrett for all of their great work on this too!

The British Election Study @britishelectionstudy.com · Sep 1

🚨NEW DATA 🚨

The BES team are pleased to announce the release of the 2024 Random Probability Survey Release v1.0.0

You can download the data here: www.britishelectionstudy.com/data-object/...

You can find our release note here:
www.britishelectionstudy.com/uncategorize...

BES 2024 Random Probability Survey Release Note v1.0.0 - The British Election Study

www.britishelectionstudy.com

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Sep 1

‘Let us not risk getting trapped in the last war.’ My piece for @pbe.co.uk on why the wellbeing v GDP framing has run out of road
pbe.co.uk/insights/bey...

Beyond ‘beyond GDP’ | PBE

By Hetan Shah I was involved in some of the calls for improved measurement of wellbeing in the early 2000s. Two decades on, sometimes the debate feels like it has not moved on sufficiently from those ...

pbe.co.uk

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Reposted by Matt Whittaker

Paula Surridge @psurridge.bsky.social · Aug 29

The lovely people @britishelectionstudy.com released the random probaility data which means we can begin to unravel some unanswered questions about turnout in 2024.

A substack to follow but a starter of social class and vote/non-vote. Which party represents the working class? None of the above.

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Matt Whittaker @mattwhittaker.bsky.social · Aug 29

Timely release as far as I'm concerned because 50% of the people in my house (not me) are looking for jobs at the moment. Can confirm that driving instructor adverts are VERY prevalent!