Matt Whittaker
Chief exec at PBE (Pro Bono Economics). Previously at Resolution Foundation. Inequalities-focused economist, cinephile, football coach (Fishersgate Flyers u17s), player (Sweet FA) and fan (Spurs & Stockport County).
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerDelighted that we at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are once again supporting this annual online event aimed at reaching people currently under-represented in the think tank sector… please share with your networks…
- Latest data on life expectancy in local areas of the UK shows overall improvements in outcomes over the last 20 years, but a widening of the absolute gap between the best and worst performing parts of the country. Progress has slowed (or even reversed in some areas) in the last decade too
- The life expectancy gap between the best and worst performing localities is even larger for for boys than for girls, though sizeable improvements among boys in some of the lowest life expectancy areas between 2002-04 and 2012-14 mean the gender difference is less pronounced than it was
- Large gaps exist for those who have already made it to older age too, with 65-69-year-old females in the best performing parts of the country enjoying an additional 5.3 years of life expectancy in 2022-24 compared to 65-69-year-olds in the worst performing parts of the country
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View full threadPlenty more to explore in ONS data release: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula... But also worth looking at slightly older data on HEALTHY life expectancy (average time someone lives in "very good" or "good" general health), where gaps across the country are even wider: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
- This is probably a well-known thing, but I hadn’t seen the data before… Need to be cautious of sample sizes and can’t infer causality, but interesting to see both how overall drug use rises as wellbeing falls and how much the pattern varies by drug. Cannabis clearly dominates the overall picture
- Looking at other self-reported measures of wellbeing (and focusing just on overall use) the pattern looks even more pronounced. For example, 21.5% of people who reported low happiness ‘yesterday’ said they’d used drugs in the last year, dropping to 8.5% for those reporting medium levels of happiness
- Data and ONS release here: www.ons.gov.uk/releases/dru...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerThe UK’s young people have the lowest wellbeing in Europe. This comes at a huge cost, with too many children feeling persistently unhappy. Hear from economists, educators, academics & young people on the difference arts programmes make to wellbeing, & how we measure it ⬇️ 📆20 November, 4 pm online
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerOur latest report explores how early engagement with arts and culture can play a powerful role in supporting young people’s wellbeing, and assesses the value for money these programmes generate. pbe.co.uk/publications...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerA very worrying escalation of online harassment. Somebody has used a video of me saying "racism in football is a game of two halves" + put a fake voiceover on it saying "what I would say to the girls of Rotherham is it is a game of two halves" x.com/EuropaIneffa...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerWe're hiring!💥 IPPR North are looking for a senior researcher who has big ideas for the future of our regions. Join us at this pivotal time for our economy and democracy. Based in Manchester, apply by 31st October. www.ippr.org/jobs/senior-...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerNEW: The UK social security system offers relatively little income protection after job loss. THREAD on Martin Mikloš and @xiaoweixu.bsky.social's IFS Green Budget chapter on the options for introducing ‘unemployment insurance’:
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerCivil 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...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerFree2Talk 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 👇
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerThe 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.
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerWhat 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...
- 📣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...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerOnline 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👇
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerNew 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
- 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
- "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...
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker"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...
- The brilliant 808 State tonight
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerHere's a slightly crazy diagram illustrating today's major Cabinet reshuffle You're welcome
- 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...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerOut 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...
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker
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 - Reposted by Matt WhittakerHave 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!
- 🚨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...
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker‘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...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerThe 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.
- Lots of reasons to tread carefully with this ONS data on online adverts, but it’s an interesting glimpse of some potential post-Covid changes in the jobs market. Biggest increase in adverts come in care and health (human & animal) occupations, and baristas. Some big drops in personal services and IT
- In terms of absolute numbers of adverts recorded in the most recent period, caring openings dominate, with IT, food preparation, maintenance, admin and service roles also featuring at the top of the list. Full data (including split by local authority) posted here www.ons.gov.uk/releases/lab...
- 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!
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerLGBTQ+ young people in the UK face a severe, unequal mental health crisis. Services like Free2Talk offer life-changing, cost-effective help, but they need greater support. 1/7 pbe.co.uk/publications...
- Think this is fascinating. We continue to think that higher income people are taxed too little and lower income people are taxed too much, but much less than we used to. And our Goldilocks position on middle income tax levels has also shifted, with more now thinking tax is too high for this group
- All of this is especially interesting when set against what’s happened over this period to actual average tax rates (both direct and indirect) for each group. Rates have increased a small amount for the richest, risen more marginally for the poorest, and fallen steadily for those in the middle
- Overall, we still overwhelmingly want to maintain or increase tax and spending. But we’re increasingly reluctant to draw more income from middle income households (even as their tax rates have fallen). And a tax-the-rich strategy is also less popular than it once was (not to mention hard to deliver)
- With no obvious way to square the circle on public opinion, the government could instead shift the terms of the discussion. Transparency on how our tax base has shifted, a celebration of the rewards that significant, broad-based revenues can unlock, and some bravery in the face of media opposition
- Following this week’s jump in inflation, new ONS data on direct debit failure rates provide another reminder of the financial difficulties being faced by a growing minority of households. Meeting mortgage payments is clearly being prioritised, but missed loan and utility payments continue to rise
- Difficulties reflected in increases in the number of individuals approaching Citizens Advice for support with debt issues too. No surprise the number climbed through the cost-of-living crisis and as interest rates rose, but already elevated demand has drifted further up over the last 12 months too
- And the proportion of people reporting an increased need to lean on credit to get by remains elevated, with signs of further increases over the last six months or so
- As shown here bsky.app/profile/matt..., these household finance challenges are no longer as broadly felt as they were a couple of years’ ago which explains why we hear less about them. But there are clear warning signs that a significant minority are finding it increasingly difficult to get by
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerBut the NHS can’t do it alone. We need a cross-sector approach, with support from charities like Place2Be, working in 650+ schools with counselling and training. 5/5 Read the report by Rachel Gomez & @jonfranklin.bsky.social on shifting from treatment to prevention: pbe.co.uk/publications...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerBetter mental health could: 📈 Boost GCSE results by up to 1.6 grades per child 📉 Cut exclusion risk by 0.4 percentage points 📉 Reduce needs for SEN support by 1.1 percentage points Early intervention works, and it makes economic sense. 4/5
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerThat’s £5,300 per child, through: ✅ £50bn in higher lifetime earnings ✅ £606m in reduced Special Educational Needs (SEN) support ✅ £17m in lower school exclusion costs We found even modest improvements can make a major difference. 3/5
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerOur new report with Place2Be shows the economic opportunity of acting earlier as well as the huge costs of failing to meet growing needs. Addressing 10 years of worsening children’s mental health could deliver £51bn in benefits to today’s school-aged children. 2/5
- Really important new @pbe.co.uk report out today 👇 The deterioration in young people's mental health is well-documented and recognised by govt as a priority. But more investment and more upstream collaboration with charities is needed. And, with a £51bn prize on offer, it makes economic sense too
- 📢 The £51bn case for improving children’s mental health 1 in 5 UK children aged 8–16 likely have a probable mental health condition (NHS Digital, 2023). Yet only 36% referred to NHS services are seen within 4 weeks. Thousands wait over 2 years. 1/5 New report: pbe.co.uk/publications...
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerUK is still recovering from the "wellbeing recession". Latest data from the ONS shows that average Life Satisfaction in the first quarter of 2025 remained 1.3% down on pre-pandemic levels.
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerUseful research. cepr.org/voxeu/column...
- Today’s GDP figures highlight continued weakness in household consumption. In fact, the extent of the slowdown in consumption growth has been one of the most remarkable features of the last 15 years. Pre-2008, spending per person rose by ~30% every ten years. Now, the ten-year growth rate is <5%
- It’s the product of various factors, not least the sharp slowdown in income growth after 2008. But post-Covid, consumption spending has additionally failed to keep pace with incomes. On a per capita basis, consumption expenditure is currently 2% lower in real-terms than on the eve of the pandemic
- Of course, the gap that opened up between income and consumption at the start of the pandemic was largely about lockdown reducing opportunities for spending. More recently however, the household saving ratio has climbed again due to a combination of interest rate incentives and consumer nervousness
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View full threadCrudely: higher income households have rebuilt balance sheets and feel no need to splurge, while lower income households feel financially uncertain. Both are reining in spending and the economy dawdles. If only we could rebalance spending power from those who have it to those who would wield it…
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerFor this week's TOTC, @teraallas.bsky.social has stepped in as guest editor - pondering productivity, wellbeing and... our potential future robot overlords? COTW assesses how disposable incomes are related to healthy life expectancy around the UK ⤵️ buff.ly/uVgwqS3
- Reposted by Matt Whittakerthis is a superb Top of the Charts email. Treasury of productivity information. Subscribe! And follow @teraallas.bsky.social first!
- For this week's TOTC, @teraallas.bsky.social has stepped in as guest editor - pondering productivity, wellbeing and... our potential future robot overlords? COTW assesses how disposable incomes are related to healthy life expectancy around the UK ⤵️ buff.ly/uVgwqS3
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerPro Bono Economics have a great series on Economics to Improve lives. Here’s my article. I’m speaking on this and chairing a debate session at #isqols2025 on multi-dimensional vs single metrics later today which draws on this for understanding public and charity impact pbe.co.uk/insights/not...
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker🚨 We’re hiring an Events Manager (£46–49k) 🕙 Deadline: 10AM, Wednesday 30 July 2025 We’re on the lookout for a strategic, resourceful events professional to lead our high-profile programme. Think that could be you? 👉 Find out more and apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/ev...
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker📢 Volunteer with Ella’s, a charity supporting survivors of trafficking. Help build an Excel dashboard & improve impact reporting. ~5 days work, Aug–Sept. UK-based only. Use your data skills for good! Apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/da... #DataForGood #Volunteering
- Reposted by Matt Whittaker📢 Volunteer needed! Help Pie Factory Music a youth charity in East Kent review a community ROI report. Use your cost-benefit analysis skills to support it's case to Kent County Council. Apply: pbe.co.uk/vacancies/pi... #Volunteering #DataForGood #SocialValue
- Reposted by Matt WhittakerNew events role! @pbe.co.uk are looking for an EVENTS MANAGER to join their team and create + lead an exciting events strategy that uses the power of events to bring people together to challenge + engage on different issues. Interested? Find out more: bit.ly/4f1TdkD
