As bills rise and temperatures rise, 2023 is the year of two major crises: cost of living and climate. Whether you're struggling to pay your mortgage or renting out in the cold and damp, most of us are feeling the effects of a broken economic model. To date, the current government has been unwilling to commit to the changes necessary to address the monumental challenges we face. With elections looming, NEF has been working this year to develop radical solutions and educate politicians, media and communities about these solutions. Here are the top ten highlights:
1. National energy security
This year, the NEF proposed a radical redesign of the energy system.this National energy security People's basic energy needs will be protected, bills reduced and carbon emissions reduced. The policy was published exclusively in The Times and was tabled as an amendment to the Energy Bill by Clive Lewis MP.
2. Reform our social security system
This year our analysis revealed the shortcomings of our social security system and was reported by media outlets including ITV's Peston and the Daily Mail. But we don’t want to just focus on the problems. We are continuing to build the case for living income and are piloting local living income in parts of Greater Manchester.
3. Our home
NEF continues to play a leading role in the Homes For Us Alliance.We worked with other members of the coalition to produce a policy report setting out solutions to the housing crisis, including making it easier for social landlords to Changing the use of private rented housing and Reform property taxes. We won Labor's promise to lift the cap on social home purchases and contributed to the Lib Dems' promise to build 150,000 social homes a year.
4. Universal child care and early education
This year we started exciting new work on early years education and childcare and made the case for investment in this vital service.our latest reportHighlights Over Million Children Living in 'Parenting Deserts', Covered guardian and calls for systemic reform.
5. make headlines
NEF spokespersons continue to lead the debate on the economy in the media. We have appeared on over 80 broadcasts from the BBC to Channel 4, responding to reports on the economy, housing, environment and more.
6. The New Economics Podcast: Discussing Big Ideas
We are excited to host another series New Economics Podcast This year. We're joined by many wonderful guests, including James Meadway, Vicki Spratt, Emily Kenway and Annosh Chakelian.
7. New Economic Magazine: Generation Gap
we published New Economic Magazine Issue 6 Generational divides in politics and economics are explored, and opportunities for cross-generational unity are explored. The magazine includes articles by Keir Milburn, Emma Dowling, Roman Krznaric and others.
8. Empower communities
NEF’s organizing team has been working with communities across the country to help them build power and make change. You can learn more about some of the amazing work they do in Maltby at: guardian.
9. Address regional inequality
This year, NEF has expanded its work with local authorities to tackle regional inequalities. We work with many councils from Greenwich to Wakefield, advising them on putting progressive economics into practice.
10. European fiscal rules
We challenged the orthodoxy of European fiscal rules. Our new analysis shows that new EU rules limiting government borrowing will prevent all EU countries except Ireland, Sweden, Latvia and Denmark from investing enough to meet their Paris climate commitments. The report was reproduced in newspapers across Europe and used by members of the European Parliament.
Learn more about these highlights on our website 2023 review.
