Resolution Foundation Event Recordings
Recordings of live Resolution Foundation events covering our latest research and policy debates on improving the living standards of lower income families.
Find the event slides referenced in each event recording on the events section of our website: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/
Looking for the Resolution Foundation podcast? Search 'High Resolution' in your podcast app.
Podcast Description
Recordings of live Resolution Foundation events covering our latest research and policy debates on improving the living standards of lower income families.
Find the event slides referenced in each event recording on the events section of our website: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/
Looking for the Resolution Foundation podcast? Search 'High Resolution' in your podcast app.
Episodes
Oct 13, 2025
Oct 13, 2025
1hr 11 min
The Chancellor has fired the starting gun on the run-in to one of the most challenging second Budgets in living memory. The Chancellor has already said her fiscal rules are sacrosanct, but higher gilt yields, policy u-turns and a likely growth downgrade mean she is on track to miss them without further fiscal consolidation. With spending plans agreed only last June, all roads point to more tax rises.
What should be the tax strategy for the upcoming Budget and beyond, and what might that mean for who loses out? Is there an economic case for breaking Labour’s tax manifesto commitment, and is it worth the political cost of doing so? And how should the Chancellor align her tax strategy with wider ambitions to boost growth and living standards?
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from its latest research on how to deliver tax reform that doesn’t damage growth, we will hear from leading experts on the trade-offs the Chancellor is likely to face on tax in her upcoming Budget.
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
1hr 17 min
Savings are supposed to be the first line of defence against financial shocks. But in reality, millions of families across Britain don’t have enough to be more than a few pay-days away from trouble. For many low-income households in particular, the focus is less about building up savings and more avoiding the building up of debts and arrears. All of this can leave families vulnerable to one-off costs such as a car break-down or bust boiler – let alone bigger shocks such as redundancy.
How financially resilient are the 13 million low-to-middle income families that make up Unsung Britain? After the cost of living crisis and the rise of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ schemes, how many families are in problem debt? How can those on lower incomes be encouraged to save more? And how should we deal with the large rise in rent, council tax and utilities arrears?
SpeakersTim JarvisDirector for Markets at OfgemVikki BrownridgeChief Executive of StepChangeSebastian BurnsideGroup Chief Economist at NatWest GroupFelicia OdamttenEconomist at the Resolution FoundationRuth CurticeChief Executive of the Resolution Foundation
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
1hr 23 min
After a not-so-quiet summer, MPs are returning from recess to a torrent of public policy challenges. Immigration remains the public’s top concern, with the economy and the NHS not far behind. Defence has also climbed the list – with the extra spending it brings adding to already daunting public finance pressures. Decisions on these issues come with unavoidable trade-offs; at a time when the parties will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on their own performance in the polls.
What are the biggest public policy challenges facing the UK? Which of these are most important to the public? What are the options for addressing these, in the immediate and long-term? And what might the implications of potential decisions the Government make on these be?
SpeakersRob FordProfessor of Political Science at the University of Manchester (Virtual)Anita CharlesworthSenior Economic Adviser at The Health FoundationDavid BaileyProfessor of Business Economics at the Birmingham Business SchoolAnand MenonDirector of UK in a Changing EuropeRuth CurticeChief Executive of the Resolution Foundation (Chair)
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
1hr 11 min
The Chancellor has fired the starting gun on the run-in to one of the most challenging second Budgets in living memory. The Chancellor has already said her fiscal rules are sacrosanct, but higher gilt yields, policy u-turns and a likely growth downgrade mean she is on track to miss them without further fiscal consolidation. With spending plans agreed only last June, all roads point to more tax rises.
What should be the tax strategy for the upcoming Budget and beyond, and what might that mean for who loses out? Is there an economic case for breaking Labour’s tax manifesto commitment, and is it worth the political cost of doing so? And how should the Chancellor align her tax strategy with wider ambitions to boost growth and living standards?
SPEAKERS
Dan Neidle
Tax lawyer, journalist and commentator
Lord David Willetts
President of the Resolution Foundation
Adam Corlett
Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation
Ruth Curtice
Chief Executive at the Resolution Foundation
Sep 25, 2025
Sep 25, 2025
1hr 17 min
Britain is desperate for stronger economic growth, and technological progress – notably through AI – is often touted as a route out of stagnation. After all, technological change is commonly thought to have been the main driver of economic growth throughout history. However, if that reading of technological change is far too simplistic, with progress in fact far stilted, what does that mean for our future economic prospects?
In a groundbreaking new book, economist Carl Benedikt Frey looks back over the past millennium to show how technological change has driven growth, but also stagnation. Using these lessons from history, Carl then looks ahead to the impact of AI – whether it will really deliver the stronger economic growth we all crave, or what can be done to shape that change.
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer the questions by Carl’s new book. He will be joined by Resolution Foundation President Lord Willetts to discuss the impact of technical change on economic growth and living standards, and what policy makers can do to shape that change in a positive direction.
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
1hr 18 min
Making Britain work for everyone: How can employers go further to recruit and retain disabled workers?
Speakers include Charlie Mayfield, lead of the Keep Britain Working review
Boosting employment among people with a health condition or disability is a crucial part of this Government’s agenda; from reaching an employment rate of 80 per cent, to reducing economic inactivity and curbing welfare spending. Yet disabled people continue to face barriers to employment. Encouraging employers to go further in hiring and retaining disabled people is key to shifting the dial on this.
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
1hr 17 min
From healthcare to carers’ care
How disabilities and caring responsibilities impact the lives of lower-income Britain
The rising prevalence of ill-health and disability across Britain has been under the spotlight recently; not least the implications for the country’s benefits bill. But the impact on those who are ill or disabled, and the family members who care for them, has been less discussed. Disability and the caring needs that can come with it already disproportionately affect the poorer half of Britain, and many of these families face a severe income penalty as a result.
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
1hr 28 min
A timely discussion exploring the profound transformation of global trade, amid rising tariffs and mounting geopolitical tensions.
What are the broader economic implications for the UK, US and wider global landscape?
The discussion will be chaired by Chaired by the Rt Hon Lord David Willetts, joined by an expert panel; Professor Meredith Crowley, Russell Napier and Sherman Robinson.
Brought to you by the Resolution Foundation, Society of Professional Economists and Royal Economic Society.




