Early years: Public spending and public policy

Understand this issue

Is Labour's inheritance really worse than expected?

podcast

We assess the Chancellor's statement on Monday about the state of the public finances.

30 July 2024

What is Labour's economic strategy?

podcast

In the King's Speech last week, Labour set out 40 new bills - what can we learn about their economic strategy?

22 July 2024

Can the new government fix the NHS?

podcast

We look at the key challenges facing the NHS, and what the new government could do to tackle them.

14 August 2024

Policy analysis

Free breakfast clubs in schools: what Labour’s plans would mean for pupils and families

comment

Labour’s manifesto promises free breakfast clubs in all primary schools. This comment examines possible benefits and challenges with the policy.

25 June 2024

How do the last five years measure up on levelling up?

report

How well – or badly – has the UK fared on the 12 levelling up missions? We examine early progress and the scale of the challenge ahead.

19 June 2024

The uncertain course for school and college funding over the next parliament

comment

This piece analyses the 2024 general election manifesto commitments on school and college funding from the main UK political parties.

19 June 2024

Academic research

Imagine your life at 25: Gender conformity and later-life outcomes

working paper

We analyse thousands of essays written by 11-year-old girls in 1969 to assess conformity with gender norms and its implications for future outcomes.

29 July 2024

Preschool quality and child development

journal article

Globally, preschool enrollment has surged, but its quality is often poor. We evaluate strategies to improve quality of public preschools in Colombia.

8 July 2024

Changing patterns of inequality in Norway: the roles of gender, education, immigration and unions

journal article

We assess the evolution of inequality over time in Norway and the underlying factors which determine such changes.

9 July 2024