Reform's research and commentary is regularly featured in the media. You can find press coverage of Reform's work here.
We are always happy to comment on policy issues relevant to our work. If you would like a quote, an interview, or a background briefing, please email press@reform.uk.
Alexander Hitchcock, Senior Researcher at Reform, writes in Public Finance following the general election result. In light of the unexpected election result, he argued that all parties should work together on issues they agree on. That won't be the case on the NHS, where the two largest parties stood on very different policies. But on other issues including digital infrastructure, building new homes and investing in employment-services programmes, there could be real opportunity for cross-party reform. The government should take it.
"With the difficulty of negotiating Brexit with a minority government, the government would be right to be pragmatic. But today’s dodged reforms will be more pressing for the next government. May must try to address these where possible. If there is ever a time for all parties to work to serve the country, this is it."
Read the full article here.
Charlotte Pickles, Deputy Director and Head of Research, wrote an article in Public Finance following the announcement of a general election to be held on 8 June 2017. She argued that, although the election campaign will be heavily focused on Brexit, there is an "urgent need" for domestic reform and each party manifesto must present a vision that addresses key public service issues in welfare, social care and the NHS, amongst others.
"Tackling head-on the third rails of public service reform is essential not just in protecting those services for future generations, but also in enabling an economically stable, competitive post-Brexit Britain."
Read the full article here.
Eleonora Harwich, Researcher, and Alexander Hitchcock, Senior Researcher, at Reform, wrote an article in Pharmafocus about Big Data in healthcare. They discuss the increasing importance of big data in the future of the healthcare industry and how its use could benefit patients and industry alike.
"The government needs to create the framework to support manufacturers to exploit these opportunities safely and for the patients' benefit - then big data might work for us all".
Read the full article here.
Ben Dobson, a Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in The Skills, Employment and Health Journal on employment services. He argues that whilst people have many concerns about the implications of the gig economy, we shouldn't ignore its potential benefits, particularly for older workers. They face many barriers in the workplace e.g. due to health conditions or other responsibilities such as caring for a relative. More flexible working arrangements could offer some people "the control and flexibility needed to balance an income with other demands". However, the UK's employment services are poorly designed to support more people into the gig economy.
"But attention must quickly turn to employment services. If these fail to keep pace with the changing labour market, an opportunity to help some of the Country’s most vulnerable will be lost."
Read the full article here.
Louis Coiffait, Head of Education at Reform, appeared on The Jeremy Vine Show to discuss schools funding. He argued that schools' budgets have been protected, along with the health sector, over other public services in recent years. That there are opportunities for schools to think creatively around how they manage resources, including pooling staff with other local schools. Technology could also play an important role. As resources are limited they should be directed to those who need them most e.g. to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
If you missed it, listen to the full interview here (from 1:10:30).
Louis Coiffait, Head of Education at Reform, spoke on BBC Radio 4's 'World at One' to discuss whether children today are being taught the right skills to cope with the changing labour market particularly with the rise in technology. He argued that whilst the pace of change is challenging, schools are doing a lot to try and prepare children for it, by teaching the right skills and values to be able to cope. He also pointed out the benefits of the changing labour market, where automation of jobs will free up peoples' time allowing them to do what they do best. However, it will be important to make sure attention is also focused on those most likely to be left behind by the changes.
Listen to the full programme here.
William Mosseri-Marlio, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article in Civil Service World arguing that deferred payment agreements can make an immediate difference to the current social care crisis. This follows the publication of Reform's report, Funding social care: the role of deferred payment agreements. An estimated 63,000 people will be responsible for privately funding their residential care this year. Many people can only cover their fees by selling their houses upfront. The deferred payment scheme (where local authorities cover the care home fees of a participant in exchange for a claim on their housing wealth, which is typically realised after death) could offer a solution to this if its scope was widened.
"Social care is the one policy area where the prime minister has admitted her government’s thinking is inadequate. A better deferred payment scheme can make an immediate difference."
Read the full article here.
Andrew Haldenby appeared on the main BBC television news bulletins in response to demands for extra NHS funding to help hospitals meet waiting time targets. Andrew said: “The NHS and social care have had five emergency cash injections in the last two-and-a-half years alone, so more money is not the answer. What it needs is a whole programme of modernisation and change, and I fear that another dollop of extra money would stop that process happening.” Please see the Reform appearances at 5 minutes 22 seconds and 6 minutes 10 seconds here.
Danail Vasilev, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in Public Finance following the launch of Funding social care: the role of deferred payment agreements. Care home places are largely in demand by those who are over the age of 75. This group has considerable housing wealth but will struggle to access this capital. Deferred payment agreements offers a solution to this problem, a policy useful for the individual and also aligns with the government's commitment to fiscal sustainability.
"While a new funding model is being evaluated by the government, steps to alleviate pressures in the short term must be taken. Deferred payments offer value at low cost."
Read the full article here.
William Mosseri-Marlio, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article in Public Finance following the Budget. "Hammond went into the Budget stressing his credentials as a reformer of public services. A review of the triple lock on the state pension was announced in November; now social care funding is on the table. If the chancellor is to significantly improve the long-term outlook of the public finances, he must turn these words into deeds."
Read the full article here.
Louis Coiffait, Head of Education at Reform, responded to ASCL’s school leader survey about school budgets on ITV News, making the point that Reform analysis last Spring predicted the 7% per-pupil fall in funding, that school budgets have fared relatively well, and that many schools can achieve better value for money – for instance by looking at class sizes, working together more and pooling staff.
Reform held a major health conference on 'NHS reform at pace and scale' on 8 March 2017 where Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, gave the keynote speech. Media coverage included: BBC News Sky News Mirror International Business Times and The Guardian
Andrew Haldenby wrote an letter published by The Times in response to an article by Danny Finkelstein on a hypothecated NHS tax.
He wrote: “More importantly, the creation of a dedicated tax would distract Ministers from the essential task of reorganising the Service so that it works more productively. At long last the NHS is genuinely trying to shift its centre of gravity from relatively expensive hospitals to primary care and indeed to care in the home, enabled by new technology. The creation of a new funding system would send the contrary message that the Government sees funding, not productivity, as the solution to the Service’s problems.”
Andrew Haldenby wrote an article for the Telegraph in response to the Budget on the previous day. He wrote: “Philip Hammond concluded his Budget speech by saying that he would ‘back’ public services. That is not the same as writing them a blank cheque. The right way to do it is to help public services turn into the modern, efficient, capable organisations that citizens want.”
Read the full article here.
William Mosseri-Marlio, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article for The Times Red Box ahead of the Budget tomorrow. Although the country is on track to deliver a surplus by the next Parliament, more difficult times lie ahead. As the ageing population grows, this will only put more strain on public services including social security, the NHS and long-term care. However, the Government looks like it is doing something about it, with an expected review on social care funding to be announced and a re-think on the pension triple lock. The only thing left to tackle is the NHS, the single biggest threat to the country's long-term fiscal position.
"Structural reform is a thankless political task. The pain is acute, and future chancellors enjoy the benefits. Anyone with a spreadsheet, however, can see that inertia isn’t an option."
Read the full article here.