This week the chancellor announced a new growth plan for the UK, which includes the expansion of Heathrow airport. Rachel Reeves says that UK living standards cannot be improved without growth. But growth does not inevitably lead to people being better off. These plans will primarily boost the profits of major corporations and benefit their shareholders. The public deserves to know what they will get in return for these plans. Reeves’ commitment to airport expansion relies on flawed economics, and NEF has spent this week explaining why that is.
Hannah Peaker, deputy chief executive, New Economics Foundation
Expanding UK airports won’t deliver economic growth We responded to news that Rachel Reeves is in support of airport expansions including a third runway at Heathrow.
Our analysis found that airport expansion would cancel out carbon savings of clean power plan.
We produced a briefing showing airport expansion will not deliver the growth the government wants.
Our research was also mentioned in the House of Commons by Sian Berry MP and Nadia Whittome MP. It was also mentioned by Adrian Ramsay MP on BBC Breakfast, John McDonnell MP on Times Radio and Daisy Cooper MP in a column for the Herts Advertiser.
Exploring an extreme wealth line Alongside Patriotic Millionaires, our new report contains insights from political figures, policy experts, and millionaires on a threshold for harmful wealth.
Moving forward Our briefing paper examines transport in the UK from the perspective of universal basic services.
What’s new in the fight for workers rights What is working life like in the UK right now? After pandemic lockdowns and high inflation, have we changed our expectations of what work provides? And are unions ready to lead the fight back against bad work? Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Kate Bell, assistant general secretary at the Trades Union Congress.
What are we getting wrong about tax Do Labour’s tax plans go far enough to fix our broken economy? Is the UK really a high-tax nation? And if we want an economy that meets everyone’s needs, do we all just need to pay more tax? Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Sara Hall, deputy director at Tax Justice UK, and Hannah Peaker, director of policy at NEF, to discuss.
Government urged to offer interest-free loans to unlock housing retrofit boom BusinessGreen covered our report on how the government can deliver a retrofit revolution
EU points way to competitive future to catch US, China rivals Sebastian Mang spoke to Reuters.
“You cannot sort out poverty and the climate crisis if you have most of the global resources hoarded by a few individuals.“ Fernanda Balata spoke about the need for an extreme wealth line on Novara Live.
Labour faces costs of £50bn to replenish affordable housing after right to buy, report says The Guardian mentioned our research showing that 40% of homes bought under right-to-buy are now owned by private landlords.
Shaping the developments of the future Our report on the car-dependency of new build housing developments was mentioned in the Herald.
Danny Sriskandarajah: “It is no wonder young people are losing hope” NEF’s chief exec was interviewed about his new book, Power to the People, in the New Statesman.
