The term UBS describes a set of proposals for achieving universal access to life’s essentials within the limits of a finite ecosystem. It reclaims the collective ideal that shaped the post-war settlement and resets it for the twenty-first century. It is designed as part of a systemic strategy for tackling the climate emergency by way of social justice. And this, surely, must be a driving force in renewing social democracy today.

Investing in Universal Basic Services (UBS) must be a top priority for environmentalists. In Anna Coote's latest report, co-authored with the New Economics Foundation, she sets out why this matters, how it can be achieved and what difference it will make.

This paper, co-authored with the New Economics Foundation explores what a universal basic services approach to early childhood education and care would look like. The framework  developed provides a basis to reimagine the design and delivery of ECEC provision as a universal public service that can better meet the needs of children, parents and staff, while making a positive contribution to the economy, society, and environment in which it sits.

Anna Coote writes for IPPR's Progressive Review. In her contribution she details the need for a commitment to providing everyone in society with life’s essentials. She argues that progressives can cohere around the concept of a ‘social guarantee’ as a framework for expanding the social contract.

This think piece explores how investment in UBS will yield substantial benefits in terms of equity, efficiency, solidarity and sustainability.

The Social Guarantee offers a principled framework to address three interlinked crises that are all rooted in a failed economic system: soaring living costs, widening inequalities and the climate emergency.

As Britain’s economy and society gradually reopen and we begin to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we face big questions about what should come next. 

As Britain gradually reopens and we begin to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we face big questions about what should come next. 

In a world with a fast-shrinking global carbon budget, coupled with vast inequalities, how do we allocate the remaining carbon allowance fairly?

This Policy brief explores the contribution that public services can make to reducing consumption across society.

This report on Universal Quality Public Services helps unions build strong arguments for extended public services as the bedrock for the Covid-19 recovery.

This paper proposes placing the meeting of needs at the centre of all economic activity in order to revitalise communities in a way that enables a low-carbon, gender equal future.