ABOUT › OUR MISSIONS NEW SOCIAL SETTLEMENT Ensuring we all have the basics for a decent quality of life. Our economy has the wealth and resources to ensure that we can all enjoy a good quality of life. But the people living in tents and doorways in our towns and cities are a shocking daily reminder of the inhumanity of political priorities that ignore our wellbeing. After decades of privatisation and liberalisation, austerity is the final nail in the coffin of the post-war social settlement. Only the NHS is left largely intact, but it is barely managing to take the strain of broken public services, a deeply flawed welfare system, and the proliferation of poor quality, insecure and low-paid work. Public services are only half of the story. NEF is fighting for workers’ rights and for a shorter working week where people have time to spend with their families, fulfill caring roles and play an active role in their communities. We need a new social settlement fit for the 21st century. NEF is working with trade unions, progressive businesses, academics, grassroots organisations, campaigners, women’s groups and those delivering services. Together we are developing a core of policies to get us there. Photo: Friendly Families nursery, Deptford READ MORE PUBLICATIONS The UK's living standards crisis The case for a living income SARAH ARNOLD, AIDAN HARPER, ALFIE STIRLING 17 JUNE 2021 BLOG How our benefits system was hollowed out over 10 years If we’d stuck with the social security we had a decade ago, 1.5 million fewer people would be living in poverty SARAH ARNOLD, DOMINIC CADDICK, LUKASZ KREBEL 20 FEBRUARY 2021 BLOG Falling through the cracks New NEF analysis shows the social security system is at breaking point this winter, with millions more people struggling for a decent standard of living. SARAH ARNOLD, ALEX CHAPMAN, LUKASZ KREBEL, ALFIE STIRLING 30 NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLICATIONS Winter plan for jobs, incomes and communities How to ensure that everyone has enough to live on through the crisis and create good jobs that protect our planet. 23 NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLICATIONS A Childcare Infrastructure Fund Protecting early years provision in England LUCIE STEPHENS, MIRANDA HALL, SARAH BEDFORD, ALFIE STIRLING, LUKASZ KREBEL 26 JUNE 2020 CAMPAIGNS & PROJECTS A shorter working week Reducing the time we spend at work to provide more time for life. CAMPAIGNS & PROJECTS Universal basic services Public services to meet the needs we all share. PODCASTS Weekly Economics Podcast: How to fix the childcare system Latest episode of our award-winning podcast - subscribe on iTunes! AYEISHA THOMAS-SMITH 25 NOVEMBER 2019 SIGN UP FOR UPDATES Hear about our work to build a new economy, including ways you can get involved and help support our campaigns. SIGN UP You can cancel at any time. See our privacy policy for full details. ABOUT US Our work Our missions Our people Accounts and funders Job vacancies Contact us Support us OUR WORK All Publications Blog Audio/video Campaigns Press Events NEF CONSULTING NEF's consultancy arm, helping organisations move towards a new sustainable economy. Visit NEF Consulting CHANGE THE RULES We map local projects building a more democratic economy and the policies to make this happen. Visit Change The Rules © NEF 2021 • Registered charity 1055254 Terms and conditions • Privacy and cookies • RSS