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Resolution Foundation Event Recordings

Resolution Foundation

Recordings of live Resolution Foundation events covering our latest research and policy debates on improving the living standards of lower income families.

Find the event slides referenced in each event recording on the events section of our website: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/

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20 episodes
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English

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S1 · E236
July 1 · 1 hr 21 min
Firm handshakes: How can businesses be incentivised to take on more young people?
For the first time in over a decade, over a million young people across Britain are not in employment, education or training. The causes of the crisis are myriad and complex, but at least one of the ways out of it is straightforward – businesses need to be incentivised to take on more young people. However, these incentives could take many forms, and finding the right hiring solutions is a crucial issue being explored by Alan Milburn’s Review into young people and work. What is really holding businesses back from hiring young people today? Is it high labour costs, a lack of appropriate skills, or are other barriers at play? What kinds of incentives have worked best in other countries? Are wage subsidies more effective than tax cuts? And how much might a bold new package for employers cost? The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions, featuring a keynote speech from Alan Milburn. Following a presentation of the key highlights from new Resolution Foundation research, we will also hear from leading employers and experts on how businesses can be incentivised to take on more young people.
#235
June 26 · 1 hr 17 min
Leaving EU behind How Britain lost its trading edge and how to get it back
Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU – a decision that was always bound to cause significant economic disruption. But it’s far from the only big economic shock we’ve experienced since – from pandemics to trade wars and now the AI revolution. While many will spend this anniversary looking backwards, it’s just as important to look forward and consider how we can navigate economic change in the decade ahead. How has the UK’s trade in goods and services changed over the past decade, and how much is down to Brexit compared to other global shifts? How has the UK fared compared to its G7 peers? What does the past decade of economic change mean for the future of the UK’s industrial strategy? And are there strengths to leverage, as well as weaknesses to defend? The Resolution Foundation has hosted an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of new research marking ten years since the Brexit vote and just over five years of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, we will hear from leading experts on at the scale of economic change the UK has experienced over the past decade and how to boost growth over the next ten years. Listen to High Resolution, our main podcast, here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5f5tUJPYEowcKhNS7cnZLY
#234
June 25 · 1 hr 17 min
Money talks Book launch event for Money: The Inside Story by Rupal Patel and Jack Leslie
We spend a lot of time thinking about money, but almost no time thinking about how odd it actually is. No other abstract concept plays such a significant role in our everyday lives, with this system built entirely on trust. The Bank of England, as the guardians of Britain’s money, have for the first time written a book about how it makes the world go round – and what happens when it breaks down. In their new book Money: The Inside Story, economists Rupal Patel and Jack Leslie pull back the curtain on how money is supposed to work, what happens when it doesn’t, and where it might be going next. How is money created? What happens in a crisis? And what might new technologies mean for the future of money? The Resolution Foundation has hosted an event to mark the launch of Jack and Rupal’s new book. Joining them on stage will be acclaimed author, journalist and co-host of the hit new FT Podcast The Story of Money Gillian Tett, who can shed light on how money has shaped history and taken down even the sharpest minds. Listen to High Resolution, our main podcast, here: https://linktr.ee/highresolutionpodcast
#233
June 24 · 1 hr 17 min
The (im)balance of power | Can workers in precarious sectors exert influence over pay and working conditions?
Collective bargaining has long been crucial to worker power in Britain. But after decades of union decline, a collective voice is increasingly rare leaving workers to assert themselves individually in the workplace instead. Yet in reality, many workers in low-paid and precarious sectors such as hospitality, cleaning and warehousing – the focus of new Resolution Foundation research – feel they have little to no influence over the decisions that impact them, including on pay and hours. How does the power balance between firms and workers play out in low-paid and precarious sectors? How have the key ways workers exert power changed? And what does this mean for wider labour market conditions and dynamism? The Resolution Foundation has hosted an event to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of research featuring a new survey and qualitative interviews with Organise members in precarious sectors of the economy, we will hear from leading experts on how power is experienced at the bottom of the labour market, and the implications for employers and policy makers. Read 'Take it or leave it' here: https://buff.ly/FpSAd0C Listen to High Resolution, our main podcast, here: https://linktr.ee/highresolutionpodcast
S1 · E232
May 26 · 1 hr 15 min
The welfare of nations: How does social security differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Social security has been undergoing a quiet revolution across the UK. While attention has focused on the roll-out of Universal Credit, many other aspects of the benefits system are devolved, allowing governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take different approaches to welfare. As newly elected MSs and MSPs prepare to take their seats in the Senedd and the Scottish Parliament, and as the issue of welfare reform continues to loom large over Westminster, understanding what these differences are, and what reforms have worked well, could help to improve the system for everyone. What are the key differences in social security across the four nations of the UK, and is it fair that families may be entitled to very different amounts in different parts of the UK? Which reforms have worked best, and hold lessons for other governments? Should we go further in devolving social security, or does the partially-devolved, partially-reserved nature of social security cause problems for claimants in devolved nations? And what are the wider lessons for welfare reform? The Resolution Foundation hosted an event to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of highlights from new research by the Safety Nets project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and which the Resolution Foundation has contributed to, on social security across the four nations, we will hear from leading experts on what lessons can be learned for further welfare reform.
S1 · E231
May 19 · 1 hr 14 min
Second half comeback? Resetting Government economic priorities for the remainder of the Parliament
The Labour Government has had a bruising start to the Parliament. It is trailing badly in the polls and is expecting a battering in the local, Welsh and Scottish elections in early May. Another relaunch and plan for a comeback in the second half of the Parliament is expected soon. But the parameters of this relaunch are hotly disputed. With: Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University Yuan Yang MP, Labour MP for Earley and Woodley Tom McTague, Editor in Chief of the New Statesman James Smith, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation (Chair) To read the report: See it. Say it. Sort it. • Resolution Foundation
S1 · E230
April 28 · 1 hr 17 min
Closer to work: How to tackle Britain’s NEETs challenge
Nearly one million 16-24 year olds across the UK today are not in employment, education or training. There are many drivers of the recent rise in NEETs, from the costs of hiring to worrying trends in young people’s mental health. But the UK has long had a higher NEET rate than many other advanced economies, and so we also need to look deeper at structural issues like the education and benefits systems. With Alan Milburn’s independent review into tackling the NEETs challenge currently underway, now is the time to think how we can really improve the transition from education to employment for young people today. To what extent are young people today disadvantaged in the labour market? How could the benefit system be reformed to improve outcomes for young people? Why does post-16 education continue to let down those not taking the traditional A-levels to university path? And what would a holistic package to address our NEETs problem look like?
S1 · E229
April 28 · 1 hr 14 min
The economic fallout from war in the Middle East Part II: The outlook for the economy and public finances
Although the eventual impact of the escalating war in the Middle East is unknowable, we do know that it is already adding to cost of living pressures, that inflation and the path of interest rates will be higher, and that growth rates for GDP and disposable incomes will be lower (and may turn negative). The Resolution Foundation is hosting a pair of events in April to unpack what the effects of the war are on the UK economy, and how policy makers should respond. This second event will focus on the wider outlook for the economic and public finances. How much might the war reduce the UK’s growth prospects? What fresh policy support might be needed in the face of a potentially acute and prolonged price shock? How will this affect interest rates and mortgages? And what might an outlook for lower growth, higher inflation, higher debt servicing costs and fresh policy support mean for the public finances, and the Chancellor’s fiscal rules? Following a presentation of wider domestic economic implications of the war in the Middle East, the Foundation will be joined by leading experts in their fields to discuss what might unfold, and how the Government and Bank of England should respond. The event will be open for people to physically attend, alongside being broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido.
S1 · E228
April 28 · 1 hr 13 min
The economic fallout from war in the Middle East Part I: Tackling the cost of living crunch
Although the eventual impact of the escalating war in the Middle East is unknowable, the increase in the price of oil and gas means we already know energy and petrol costs are set to rise. Knock on effects will hit food prices and wider inflation, not to mention the second-round effects on wage negotiations, interest rates, debt-servicing costs and wider economic growth. The Resolution Foundation is hosting a pair of events in April to unpack what the effects of the war are on the UK economy, and how policy makers should respond. Part I will focus on the coming cost of living crunch. What is the outlook for petrol prices, energy bills, the cost of a supermarket shop and wider inflation? How might this affect the outlook for family living standards? Can the Government respond to this coming cost of living crunch effectively? And how can it balance the need to provide clear, effective and targeted support with a price tag that the UK economy can afford? The Foundation will be joined by leading experts in their fields to discuss the impact on households, and how the Government should respond. Part II will focus on what the economic fallout of the war could mean for growth and the state of the public finances, and how this could shape future interest rate decisions and the next Budget. This event will take place on Wednesday 22nd April.
S1 · E227
April 16 · 1 hr 8 min
The Great British Baby Bust: Should we worry about the UK’s falling birth rate, and can we do anything about it?
All developed countries are grappling with a falling birth rate, and the UK is no different. While the UK’s birth rate has often fluctuated, it has fallen sharply since 2012, and a rebound anytime soon looks unlikely. There are cultural and economic drivers behind the recent shortfall; and the implications will be both immediate and pose challenges well into the future. Is the UK’s declining birth rate worth worrying about in the first place? What explains the recent trend of falling birth rates? Should policymakers be acting on this, and if so, what could be done? The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and discuss these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from its latest research on the significant implications of Britain’s plunging birth rate, we will hear from leading experts on why it matters, how, and if, policymakers should respond, and what we can learn from across the globe.
S1 · E226
April 16 · 1 hr 16 min
Stopping dreams coming true: Is financial regulation holding back Britons’ aspirations of home ownership?
The dream of owning your own home is a powerful life goal for many. Once realised, it comes with better living standards, as well economic security. But many families are failing to get over the barriers to accessing a mortgage – from finding a deposit to passing banks’ affordability tests. Indeed, many would say such regulation has gone too far and it is time for a loosening. To what extent has falling home ownership among young and lower-income families been driven by regulation, wider market conditions or government policy? How many people are on the margins of home ownership, and what is stopping them from making that next step? Should policy makers intervene to support home ownership, and what are the risks of intervention in terms of elevated house prices, mortgage debt and loans on the Government’s balance sheet?
S1 · E225
April 16 · 1 hr 1 min
The populist party crashers: Book launch event for Why Populists Are Winning and How to Beat Them by Liam Byrne MP
In his new book Why Populists Are Winning and How to Beat Them, British Labour Party Politician and the MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North Liam Byrne draws on original research from across Europe and America to explore why populism has seduced voters worldwide. Liam sets out populism’s ‘five tribes’ – and which of these voters can still be won back by the centre. Drawing connections between rising inequality and the growing appeal of populism, Liam sets out a game-plan to tackle the populist surge. The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate key questions – and answers – raised by Liam’s book. He will be joined by Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice, alongside David Guake and Gaby Hinsliff, to unpack this timely call to action.
S1 · E224
April 16 · 1 hr 5 min
Social immobility scars: The persistence of earnings gaps facing graduates from lower-income families
Britain has long seen lower intergenerational social mobility than many of its peers, with those from lower-income backgrounds receiving lower earnings as adults than those from more affluent backgrounds. University is often seen as the ticket out of this social mobility trap, but is this true? Unpacking the factors driving persistent earnings gaps for young people based on their background is vital if we’re to lift living standards for those from lower-income backgrounds. How significant is the earnings gap between graduates from different backgrounds and how does this change over time? To what extent can this be accounted for by educational choices and where people work – and how much cannot?
#223
March 20 · 1 min
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S1 · E221
March 9 · 34 min
Understatement of the year?
The Treasury promised us a boring non-event, which on the day was massively over-shadowed by events in the Middle East anyway. Ruth Curtice discusses the merits of annual fiscal events, the difficulty of getting growth going, and what to expect in the Chancellor's upcoming (and unprecedented) *second* Mais Lecture, with James Smith (Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation) and Giles Wilkes (Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government). Read Understatement of the year on our website today, for the full detail of our Spring Forecast response. Follow us: https://x.com/resfoundation https://bsky.app/profile/resolutionfoundation.org https://www.instagram.com/resolutionfoundation/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCALXuPH_vXOaEv-JPDhHh3g
S1 · E222
March 9 · 1 hr 14 min
Taking the temperature: Spring Forecast 2026 and the prospects for borrowing, growth and living standards
The Government came into office promising to tackle policy uncertainty by limiting major fiscal events to one a year. They failed to deliver this last year, but are determined to deliver a ‘policy free’ Spring Forecast next week. Have they achieved greater policy certainty, or been scuppered by the cost of policy U-turns, public service pressures, major changes in the UK economic outlook, or problems that need fixing before the Autumn Budget? Speakers David Miles Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee at the OBR Dharshini David BBC’s Deputy Economics Editor James Smith Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice Chief Executive at the Resolution Foundation
S1 · E220
March 2 · 1 hr 17 min
Where is the UK economy heading?
Catch up on a recording of our recent event discussing the outlook ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Forecast. The Autumn Budget was barely three months ago, but the UK has experienced plenty of economic and political drama since then. In the short time between OBR forecasts, there have been encouraging signs on the public finances and the outlook for inflation. But growth remains sluggish and uncertainty elevated amid rising geopolitical tensions. There are some signs of productivity ‘green shoots’, but the risk is they are indicative of higher unemployment. Speakers Karen Ward - Managing Director at JPMorgan Asset Management Yael Selfin - Vice Chair and Chief Economist KPMG in the UK Andy King - Specialist Partner at Flint Global James Smith - Chief Economist at the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice - Chief Executive at the Resolution Foundation (Chair)
S1 · E219
February 12 · 28 min
Who are 'Unsung Britain'?
Britain does not feel like a nation at ease – and hasn’t done for a very long while. By more than two-to-one, Britons last year judged the country to be on the “wrong track” rather than heading in the “right direction”. Ruth Curtice, the Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, discusses the experiences and prospects for the nation's poorer half with Scarlett Maguire and Tom Clark.
S1 · E218
February 6 · 37 min
Growing pains
The Resolution Foundation has documented two decades of UK economic underperformance and stagnant living standards. 18 months into a government elected on a mandate of change and growth, and following the publication of Mountain climbing, we're assessing their growth strategy – its intentions, its achievements, and its prospects moving ahead into an uncertain world. Lord David Willetts, the President of the Resolution Foundation, is joined by Sophie Hale, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, and Anna Leach, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors.
S1 · E217
February 5 · 1 hr 8 min
Net zero farming: How can we kick-start the net zero transition in farming without making the cost of living crisis worse?
The UK has made good progress towards net zero in recent decades. But the agriculture sector stands out as having made barely any progress. To meet our legally-binding climate targets, agriculture and land use will need to decarbonise seven times quicker this decade than in the past 15 years. Fundamental changes to how we make food and use land will be needed. But decarbonisation in this area is hard and any efforts will need to overcome considerable political and living standards barriers to reform. How can policy makers meet the decarbonisation challenge while protecting living standards for farmers and consumers, while also upholding food security? How can better-designed land-use policy play a role? How should the sector’s generous subsidy system be overhauled? And who should pay for greening food production? The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of our latest policy proposals on the farming sector, we will hear from leading experts on the challenges of cutting emissions from food production, reshaping how land is used, and how to take a living standards-first approach to these.

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