New survey research into how the charity sector's success in supporting people during the pandemic has come at the cost of the workforce's health and wellbeing. Read more
Improving the UK's literacy can not only help individuals to progress into higher earning roles, but it can also insulate them from sector-specific downturns as seen during the pandemic. Read more
This research explores long-term economic importance of early years language skills, highlighting why this basic skill is so crucial to individuals as well as wider society. Read more
PBE’s research raises concerns of a false economy in children’s services, where the need for Local Authorities to cut costs has fallen predominantly on early interventions spending such as children’s centres, family support services and services for young people. Read more
PBE’s research and policy team uses the toolkit of economics to better understand and support the social sector.
We build on the insights derived from our charity projects to investigate how social sector organisations can get the most out of their resources. We develop ideas to support a thriving civil society and use data to grow the evidence base for action.
The latest PBE study for the Law Family Commission on Civil Society looks at how falling participation in philanthropy, a decline in average giving by the wealthiest, and persistently unclaimed Gift Aid have combined to create a three-fold ‘giving gap’. Read more
This study for the Refugee Survival Trust looks at the significant costs incurred by UK taxpayers and applicants themselves through incorrect Home Office asylum decisions. Read more
Nearly half a million social sector organisations in the UK play a vital role in sustaining our society and economy, but a serious paucity of data is preventing the social sector from unleashing its full potential Read more
Great things can happen when civil society and the private sector team up, but the scale of engagement needs to be boosted. New research about the benefits that come when these sectors team up, and what's getting in the way. Read more
We know that the social sector plays a vital role in the wellbeing of our country. It also plays a vital role in our economy. But currently, we know very little about the scale or nature of that contribution. Read more
This month, charities reported that they expect a long road of recovery ahead. There are concerns that financial challenges will not abate, as organisations struggle to get fundraising events back in the calendar and to fill those already pencilled in. Read more
This note is the first of a series of summaries we’ll be publishing from the Law Family Commission on Civil Society's call for evidence on unleashing the potential of civil society in the 2020s. Read more
Is there an opportunity for the charity sector in the £250billion in built up household savings? Our analysis examines the behavioural insights and changes to Gift Aid which could help increase donations from the pandemic savings "windfall". Read more
As part of the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, PBE is investigating the role and potential for better data about social sector organisations, with a particular focus on charities. Read more
With the Covid crisis and its impacts on our economy evident and plans to level up the economy through the recovery becoming real, the need for a national debate on numeracy is now an urgent one. Read more
With each new announcement, it becomes clearer what levelling up really means. It also raises new questions as to whether the government will truly be able to improve people’s lives in a meaningful way. Read more
Through this analysis, supported by Bank of America, we demonstrate the potential for corporate volunteering schemes to be cost-effective ways of improving employee wellbeing once indirect cost savings from reduced absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover are incorporated. Read more
Our analysis, commissioned by Citizens Advice, finds that there could be at least 1.5 million households at risk of problem debt by mid-2021 as a result of the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis - an increase of 370,000 – 480,000 households compared to pre-crisis levels. Read more
This research finds that if all pupils who are completing KS1 at schools with high disadvantage in England received Magic Breakfast’s model of school breakfast provision, it could generate long-term benefits of £2.7 billion. Read more
With last year's winter fundraising opportunities more limited than usual, we asked charities to reflect on fundraising over 2020 and the Christmas period in particular in this flash survey. Read more
Untreated mental health issues for children and young people whilst on waiting lists cost public services an estimated £75m per year. Read more
To mark the launch of the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, we commissioned YouGov to provide a snapshot of public attitudes towards civil society in November 2020. Read more
In our first report of 2021, we take a look at our Tracker’s major findings about how Covid impacted charities, how they responded, and what their expectations are going into this new year. Read more
It is more important than ever that charities are able to measure, understand and communicate their impact. Here's how we've helped charities this year. Read more
The Commission on Civil Society aims to remove the constraints that hold the sector back and promote the approaches that help to push it forward. This report is the first step on that journey. Read more