When Progressive Policies Meet Institutional Reality: Disability Quotas and Public Employment in China

Person speaking with a recruiter during a job interview in an office setting, with a résumé visible on a laptop screen.

This blog post is based on an article published in the Journal of Social Policy by Cunqiang Shi and Yuanyuan Qu. The blog post is authored by Felix Shi. Disability employment quotas are often presented as a pragmatic solution to a persistent social problem: how to ensure that disabled people are not excluded from the… Continue reading When Progressive Policies Meet Institutional Reality: Disability Quotas and Public Employment in China

Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

Three colleagues working together at a table in an office, including a man using a wheelchair, illustrating an inclusive workplace environment.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Rik van Berkel and Talieh Sadeghi. The labour-market participation of people with disabilities is much lower than that of the working-age population. In the European Union, this labour-market participation gap is about 25 percentage points. This gap is problematic, not… Continue reading Supporting employers to employ people with disabilities

Why Labour have every reason to loosen the purse strings

London Underground platform edge with the words ‘Mind the gap’ painted beside a yellow safety line as a train passes.

This blog post is based on an article published in the Journal of Social Policy by Elliott Johnson et al. The blog post is written by Elliott Johnson, Howard Reed, Anna Thew, and Matthew Johnson. Tax Reform and Economic Renewal: The Case for Basic Income Rachel Reeves describes the UK economy as being in its… Continue reading Why Labour have every reason to loosen the purse strings

Rethinking Housing Provision in the European Union: Why Comparative Evidence Matters More Than Ever

Urban residential housing with mixed building types and densities, illustrating variation in housing provision across European cities

This blog post is based on an article published in the Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy by Rūta Ubarevičienė and Jolanta Aidukaitė. Across Europe, housing has quietly shifted from a background policy concern to one of the most urgent social challenges of our time. Whether you live in a booming capital city or… Continue reading Rethinking Housing Provision in the European Union: Why Comparative Evidence Matters More Than Ever

Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions

A couple sits with an advisor reviewing documents together, suggesting discussion of finances, housing or social support.

This blog post is based on an article published in Social Policy and Society by Heta Pöyliö. Poverty is a complex issue that requires expansive policy responses. In my recent study published in Social Policy and Society, I find that policies with different functions can work together to reduce the risk of poverty. Specifically, policy… Continue reading Poverty is complex – should our policy responses be too? Moving beyond isolated policy solutions