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Moving forward

2024

This paper, co-authored with the New Economics Foundation, imagines what a universal basic services approach to transport would look like. It builds on the new government's proposals, exploring how to design the UK's transport system to meet human needs within planetary boundaries.

New Economics Foundation

Anna Coote, Harry Ewart-Biggs

Universal basic services and renewing social democracy

2024

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.

Renewal

Anna Coote

Meeting needs within limits

2023

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.

New Economics Foundation

Anna Coote

A fair start for all

2023

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.

New Economics Foundation

Tom Pollard, Anna Coote, Harry Ewart-Biggs, Tom Stephens & Jeevun Sandher

Rebuilding the UK's Social Contract

2023

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.

IPPR

Anna Coote

Universal Basic Services: Provisioning for our needs within a fair consumption space

2023

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

Hot or Cool Institute

Anna Coote

A Social Guarantee to Meet Everyone’s Needs
within Environmental Limits

2022

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.

Political Quarterly

Anna Coote

The case for a Social Guarantee: Universal access to life’s essentials

2022

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. 

Heinrich Boell Stiftung

Anna Coote

A Social Guarantee

2021

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

New Economics Foundation

Daniel Button, Anna Coote

1.5-Degree Lifestyles: Towards a Fair Consumption Space for All

2021

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

Hot or Cool Institute

Lewis Akenji, Magnus Bengtsson, Viivi Toivio, Michael Lettenmeier, Tina Fawcett, Yael Parag, Yamina Saheb, Anna Coote, Joachim H. Spangenberg, Stuart Capstick, Tim Gore, Luca Coscieme, Mathis Wackernagel, Dario Kenner

UBS and sustainable consumption

2021

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

Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy

Anna Coote

Universal Quality Public Services

2021

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

Public Services International

Anna Coote

NEW SERIES

Our new series, the Social Guarantee Discussion Papers will explore different concepts within the Social Guarantee in detail. Our aim is to stimulate discussion and debate around the aims and principles of a system designed around meeting people's needs.

Social Guarantee Discussion Papers

Housing

In this paper Maeve Cohen considers what a Social Guarantee for housing would look like. Recommendations include policies to make housing more accessible, more environmentally sustainable and to increase democratic control over the housing system.

DISCUSSION PAPER

How do we pay for it?

Research Fellow Isaac Stanley looks first at claims that the UK is too broke to pay for more and better public services, and summarises briefly how costs have been estimated so far. He then sets out possible sources of funding, as identified by a range of experts.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Energy

In response to the Energy Crisis, Maeve Cohen puts forward proposals for a Social Guarantee for Energy. She argues for a universal basic energy allowance, a special tariff for public services and collectively owned energy generators, transmission networks and retail suppliers.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Ownership

A fundamental factor contributing to the inequalities in our economy is who owns what. Maeve Cohen explores what ownership models are best suited for ensuring that everyone has a meaningful say in the design and delivery of the services they depend on.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Universalism

Anna Coote considers what we mean by 'universal services'. The need for life’s essentials is universal, but how such needs are met varies widely between locations, cultures and generations. This paper examines the implications for delivering the Social Guarantee.

DISCUSSION PAPER

We frequently write reports and publications for like minded organisations and partners such as the New Economics Foundation, Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Foundational Economy Collective.

Publications with Partners

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