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Who we are

The Common Sense Policy Group comprises academics, policymakers, third sector leaders, community representatives, media figures and people with lived experience. We are all committed to creating a fair, equal and inclusive Britain through developing and influencing redistributive policy that addresses the inequality and exclusion that has come to define our nation. We present consensus on feasible, affordable and overwhelmingly popular evidence-based policies that can form the basis for a programme for progressive Government. Read more…

What we do

Research: We examine the impact of existing systems and what the prospective benefits of alternatives might be.

Policy: We develop evidence-based policy proposals that address key modern challenges and achieve popular support.

Engagement and impact: We create outputs and engage with partners to translate research to real-world goals.

Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything

Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything, published by Bristol University Press (£9.99), is the Common Sense Policy Group’s bold new book that ties together theory with groundbreaking evidence from real-world trials to show why Basic Income isn’t just possible – it’s the vital solution to our age of crisis, paving the way for a fairer society. It explores the ripple effects of financial security – better health, stronger communities, more education, meaningful work, and engaged citizenship. By breaking the cycle of poverty, basic income unlocks access to essentials like food and housing, empowers people, and fuels long-term thinking and entrepreneurship. Read more…

Count the Costs: A Common Sense update for the 2025 Spring Budget

In our response to the Government’s Spring 2025 Budget, we emphasise the need for the Government to count the cost of its cuts and implement common sense, evidence-backed alternative measures that restore stability, secure meaningful growth, improve living conditions and achieve national renewal. Read more…

Make Politics Work for Us: A Common Sense pathway to democracy that delivers

At a time of increasing political disinformation and disaffection among citizens, this report sets out a plan for democratic reform to ensure that an era of dysfunction and decline comes to an end. Read more…

Act Now

Act Now: A Vision for a Better Future and New Social Contract, published by Manchester University Press (£9.99), is the Common Sense Policy Group’s whole-government domestic platform of affordable, feasible and electorally popular policies to rebuild Britain and deliver civic renewal. Just as in Lord Beveridge’s 1942 report, the policies directly address the causes of the crises we face, tackling poverty and socioeconomic inequality, and delivering national economic success through investment, greatly improved productivity, and reward for hard work. Facing an era of permacrisis, the report’s Common Sense solutions demonstrate how we can make public services – from health and social care to transport and education – much, much better and without breaking the bank. Read more…