The cost of housing is a key part of the living standards crisis and yet it hasn’t really featured in the debate. Private renters are spending 30% of the income on rent. Half of private renters are now forced to rely on housing benefits to pay their rent.
The failures of our broken housing system are going to be exposed as the cost of living crisis bites. And yet the government’s response is to extend the right to buy to housing associations – a policy that has fuelled not fixed the housing crisis.
If we want to tackle the crisis of affordability in the housing market we need to build more social homes. That’s why NEF is working with housing campaigners from across the country to launch the Homes For Us campaign. Read on to find out how to get involved…
Reversing the decline of social housing To tackle the housing crisis, we need to reform and replace the policies that underpin it. Read Simon Hill’s comprehensive analysis of the problems and solutions.
The damaging legacy of right to buy Boris Johnson wants to extend right to buy to housing associations. But he’s ignoring the grave costs of the policy, writes Simon Hill.
Between a rock and a hard place Our new report warns that the Bank of England will hand out a stealth subsidy of £57bn to the banking sector over the next three years if interest rates continue to rise as planned. Frank van Lerven and Dominic Caddick set out an alternative approach.
New Economics Podcast: How did the British Empire write the rules of today’s economy? The British Empire began before the English Civil War, and shaped our country for 400 years. At its height, it covered almost a quarter of the entire world’s population. Beyond statues and street names, how is the empire still shaping our lives today? Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Dr Kojo Koram.
New Economics Podcast: Who owns the internet? From Mark Zuckerberg to Elon Musk, should we be worried that our online lives are in the hands of a few super-rich men? Will cryptocurrencies and Web3 make the internet good again? And what would a people-powered internet really look like? Ayeisha is joined by Dr James Muldoon.
NEF’s cost of living online rally Watch our online rally with the Mirror’s Ros Wynne-Jones, in conversation with some of the unsung heroes that are supporting communities through the worst of times and campaigning together for a better Britain. Speakers include Annie McCormack, Broke not Broken; Lizzie Woods, London Renters Union; Bill Corcoran, NUFC Fans Food Bank; Sue Potts, Bootle Venus Centre; Lucia Bella Adeniji-Fashola, Justice for Churchill Cleaners; and Cllr Jane Corbett, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool.
The UK rail strike Miatta was on BBC Newsnight and Good Morning Britain responding to the government’s villainisation of rail workers striking this month.
How fuel prices have surged to a record high in the UK NEF analysis showing how just 7% of the fuel duty cut goes to the poorest fifth of households, while a third goes to the wealthiest was covered in the New Statesman.
Is the UK heading for a recession? Frank van Lervern was on Sky News arguing that we sleepwalked into the cost of living crisis.
Extension of right to buy Rebecca Winson was on GB News responding to the government’s housing pledges.
Sunak’s cost of living support package Sam Tims was on Sky News responding to the chancellor’s support package.
Rishi Sunak’s ‘obscene‘ tax relief for fossil fuel firms will ‘cost taxpayer £1.9bn a year’ Alex Chapman spoke to the Independent about the chancellor’s tax relief on investment in oil and gas extraction.
Sunak FINALLY helps families 5 months after Mirror and Labour demanded it NEF analysis showing despite the chancellor’s support package, 23.2 million people face an average £6,500 cost of living hike by October was covered in the Mirror.
We’re hiring! NEF is looking for a head of economics (12 months maternity cover) to lead our economic policy team and a participatory grant-making consultant to support our work with grassroots housing groups – apply here.
John Davis RIP We are saddened to report that one of NEF’s founders, John Davis, has passed away at the age of 98. John was an industrial engineer and involved in the development of NEF from the very start, going on to serve as Chair. A regular contributor to the Guardian, he authored many papers and books. After retirement, John continued to give NEF valued advice and support right up until his final months. On behalf of colleagues past and present, we express our gratitude for his special contribution to NEF and send our condolences to his family and friends.
