Social policy in a cold climate

Researchers: Professor Ruth Lupton

Project overview


This project was designed to examine the effects of the major economic and political changes in the UK since 2007, particularly their impact on the distribution of wealth, poverty, inequality and social mobility. It was in two parts:

For each of the two parts, the project had four main strands (links take you to the CASE website):

Team


  • Professor Ruth Lupton
    London School of Economics

  • Director, Welfare
    Nuffield Foundation

Explore our projects

A portrait of a teenager wearing casual clothing on an overcast summer day in Whitley Bay, Northeastern England. They are standing and looking concerned as they use their smartphone.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

The digital lives of care-experienced children

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A simple wall sign outside the British Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards Road, just off Whitehall, London.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2030

IFS Green Budget 2026 – 2029

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Young well dressed businesswoman working on a computer at the office

Welfare | 2026 - 2029

Pain-at-Work Toolkit for employees with chronic pain (definitive trial) 

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Welfare | 2026 - 2028

Examining gender pension gaps: trajectories over time in the UK

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Houses along a street in the UK

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

Towards housing affordability: local supply drivers and optimal policy

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A cheerful young man wearing a green apron and a grey hoodie. He is placing fresh baked goods outside a cafe, holding a bowl filled with freshly baked bread. The cafe is in the background.
In progress

Education | 2026 - 2027

Student employment and subsequent education and labour market outcomes 

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In progress

Racial Diversity UK | Welfare | 2026 - 2027

Racial equality since devolution: Divergences, outcomes and frontiers

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voters entering polling station to vote in election

Welfare | 2025 - 2026

Tax, benefits and public spending in the 2026 devolved elections

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Welfare | 2025 - 2026

2026 Scottish Parliament and Senedd election analysis

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A shot of a grandfather sitting in a tractor with his young granddaughter, he is at his farm in North East, England. The grandfather and the girl's mother are teaching her about the farm.
In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Arthritis and farmers in England: Impacts, adaptations and prevention

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Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Inequalities and the future

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row of houses
In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Musculoskeletal conditions in underserved communities

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A simple wall sign outside the British Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards Road, just off Whitehall, London.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2030

IFS Green Budget 2026 – 2029

View project
A portrait of a teenager wearing casual clothing on an overcast summer day in Whitley Bay, Northeastern England. They are standing and looking concerned as they use their smartphone.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

The digital lives of care-experienced children

View project
Young well dressed businesswoman working on a computer at the office

Welfare | 2026 - 2029

Pain-at-Work Toolkit for employees with chronic pain (definitive trial) 

View project

Welfare | 2025 - 2026

2026 Scottish Parliament and Senedd election analysis

View project
Houses along a street in the UK

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

Towards housing affordability: local supply drivers and optimal policy

View project

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

Examining gender pension gaps: trajectories over time in the UK

View project
voters entering polling station to vote in election

Welfare | 2025 - 2026

Tax, benefits and public spending in the 2026 devolved elections

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Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Actionable insights to tackle UK dietary inequalities

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A mid-level street view of an older brick social housing block. To the left is a large green tree.

Welfare | 2025 - 2026

Navigating social housing tenancies: Language and cultural barriers

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A horizontal image of two children outdoors using a big mental pan to make mud pies, while a young woman supervises. The children are both wrapped up warm in coats and are contently playing
In progress

Education | 2025 - 2028

Policy change and inequalities in early childhood education and care

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A cheerful young man wearing a green apron and a grey hoodie. He is placing fresh baked goods outside a cafe, holding a bowl filled with freshly baked bread. The cafe is in the background.
In progress

Education | 2026 - 2027

Student employment and subsequent education and labour market outcomes 

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A heavily pregnant mother working at home on her laptop while talking to her kids as they stand near her.

Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Effective hybrid work: Childcare, work-life balance and well-being

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A simple wall sign outside the British Treasury building at 1 Horse Guards Road, just off Whitehall, London.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2030

IFS Green Budget 2026 – 2029

View project
A portrait of a teenager wearing casual clothing on an overcast summer day in Whitley Bay, Northeastern England. They are standing and looking concerned as they use their smartphone.
In progress

Welfare | 2026 - 2028

The digital lives of care-experienced children

View project
A horizontal image of two children outdoors using a big mental pan to make mud pies, while a young woman supervises. The children are both wrapped up warm in coats and are contently playing
In progress

Education | 2025 - 2028

Policy change and inequalities in early childhood education and care

View project
A cheerful young man wearing a green apron and a grey hoodie. He is placing fresh baked goods outside a cafe, holding a bowl filled with freshly baked bread. The cafe is in the background.
In progress

Education | 2026 - 2027

Student employment and subsequent education and labour market outcomes 

View project
In progress

Racial Diversity UK | Welfare | 2026 - 2027

Racial equality since devolution: Divergences, outcomes and frontiers

View project
In progress

Racial Diversity UK | Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Decline to renewal: Race, deindustrialisation and working lives

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In progress

Racial Diversity UK | Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Better mixing: Supporting Scotland’s diverse future

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In progress

Racial Diversity UK | Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Voices for equity: Moving from evidence to action

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Two mothers cuddle their daughter on the sofa with their dog: Welfare access, assets and debts of LGBT+ people in the UK
In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2027

Understanding fertility intentions in 21st century Britain

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In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2027

Musculoskeletal conditions, employment retention and job quality

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lady looking out of the bus window
In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Economic inactivity, arthritis & depression: who, why & how to respond

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row of houses
In progress

Welfare | 2025 - 2028

Musculoskeletal conditions in underserved communities

View project
Black woman typing on laptop in living room
Reported

Welfare | 2024 - 2025

Enhancing, localising and democratising tax-benefit policy analysis

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A middle-aged man sat at home is looking at this phone while sorting pension paperwork.
Reported

Welfare | 2023 - 2025

Collective defined contribution pensions with investment choice

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Sixth form student smiling in a classroom while a teacher helps a classmate in the row behind him
Reported

Education | 2023 - 2025

The Extended Project Qualification: An Opportunity for All?

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Two little boys and a little girl, all wearing primary school uniform, work together to solve a puzzle in their classroom.
Reported

Education | 2023 - 2025

What has ‘Free School Meals’ measured and what are the implications?

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Elderly man drinking tea at home with professional carer
Reported

Welfare | 2023 - 2024

Evidencing the outsourcing of social care provision in England

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Early years professionals playing with children
Reported

Education | 2022 - 2024

Understanding the take-up of early education entitlements

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Older woman using a tablet to make a video call
Reported

Welfare | 2023 - 2025

Remote osteoarthritis peer-mentorship for socioeconomically underserved people

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Two teenage male pupils study a science lesson as part of their post-16 options
Reported

Education | 2019 - 2024

Post-16 pathways: the role of peers, family background and expectations

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Teenage sixth form students taking notes in a lesson
Reported

Education | 2022 - 2025

Comparing inequality and outcomes across post-16 education in the UK

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Older man working from home on a video call
Reported

Welfare | 2022 - 2024

The impact of pension auto-enrolment and COVID-19 on saving behaviours

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Teenage sixth form students walking into college
Reported

Education | 2022 - 2025

The long-term impact of the Education Maintenance Allowance

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14 year old girl doing homework
Reported

Education | 2022 - 2024

Experiences of 14 to 16 year olds in Further Education in England

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