On Tuesday, 21 Nov 2023, the government announced an increase to the National Living Wage and a welcome reduction of the National Living Wage age threshold from 23 to 21 years. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, explains why this is an important step in the right direction to secure a better deal for young people.
Alec Haglund
Researcher
Alec joined IF in January 2022 as a Researcher. Alec holds a degree from UCL in Arts & Sciences and recently completed his MA in Global Political Economy at Goldsmiths. As an interdisciplinary political economist, Alec’s interests lie in the nexus between the economy, ecology, technology and politics. Alec’s research interests concern how to create solutions to issues such as climate change, political representation, debt and inequality to ensure a sustainable and fair society for future generations. In his free time, Alec can most often be found reading, discovering new music and either playing or watching football.
Young renters are struggling and increasingly financially vulnerable
As the housing crisis continues to get worse, those stuck in the private rental sector are suffering from increasingly unaffordable rents. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses why a growing proportion of young renters are financially vulnerable, and why the government must do more to help them.
Scrapping HS2 symbolises a lack of long-term thinking
HS2 was supposed to be desperately needed to help upgrade the UK rail network. Instead, after billions of pounds spent, the project has been all but scrapped, leaving just a short run of new rail between Birmingham and the outskirts of London. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, explains why scrapping HS2 symbolises a lack of long-term… Read more »
Extending the freeze on tax thresholds hurts the young and the poor
By continuing the freeze on Income Tax and NICs’ thresholds until 2027-28, the government has condemned the young and the poor to bear a larger share of the national tax burden. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses why the young and the poor are hit the hardest.
How would a 4-day week help young people?
A century ago, economists believed that increases in economic productivity would lead to drastically shorter working weeks by the beginning of the 21st century. Although these predictions have not yet materialised, recent years have seen an increased interest in instituting a 4-day work week. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses how a 4-day week might benefit… Read more »
How to improve student loan repayment terms for graduates
The student loan system is broken. For the crime of pursuing a higher education, many graduates in England face an additional 9% marginal tax for most of their working lives. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses IF analysis of the best ways to lower the debt burden for graduates.
A budget ghosting the young
The budget presented by the Chancellor on 15 March gives little reassurance to young people that the government understands their struggles. Instead of addressing issues such as housing, low pay, crumbling public services and a looming ecological breakdown, the major announcements concerned tax reliefs for wealthier and older people and for corporations. Alec Haglund, IF… Read more »
We need a budget that is fair for all generations
As the Chancellor prepares to announce the budget, many young people fear yet another budget that overlooks the many problems society is facing. Housing, climate, low pay, student loans, and the cost-of-living crisis are issues that should be top priorities for a government that is serious about solving problems. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses policies… Read more »
Downsizing is socially desirable – and saves money on bills
As the rates of under-occupation continue to increase and energy bills are higher than they have been any previous winter, saving money on bills can be a persuasive argument to encourage greater downsizing. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses some of the key points of the recently published IF report “Downsize your energy bills”.
Trains over planes – Government response
In October the Intergenerational Foundation published a report arguing that the government should stop subsidising domestic air travel and ban short-haul domestic routes where comparable rail alternatives exist. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses the Department for Transport’s response to the policy recommendations set out in IF’s Trains over Planes report.