UK Government Analyst team meets with University of York’s Cost of Living Group
The University of York’s Cost of Living Group welcomed the Energy Affordability Evaluation Team, from the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) to York in order to discuss domestic and non-domestic energy schemes implemented by the government and how these linked with the wider cost of living.
Representatives from the Evaluation team shared their remit and approaches to their evaluation. They were keen to hear about the methods used and evidence generated by York’s researchers on issues surrounding the cost of living such as fuel poverty and household experiences.
York’s Cost of Living group is made up of experts from across the University including health economists, social scientists, and health experts. Members of the group presented research on key areas such the impact of the cost of living on families, support from local authorities and housing and homelessness related to fuel poverty.
Feedback from the meeting will help provide the Evaluation team with some additional perspectives on their planned methodological approaches. The session concluded with a commitment that both the University and DESNZ Evaluation team would continue to work together on common analytical methods and insights over the duration of the government evaluations.
Prof Kate Pickett, Chair the York Cost of Living group, said: “Engagement and knowledge exchange with policymakers helps us to ensure that our academic research is useful and impactful. Sharing research ideas and methods can help to ensure that government has the right evidence to support the decisions which will affect the livelihoods and well-being of the public.”
The York Policy Engine (TYPE) and the Cost of Living group recently produced a report which details the growing levels of inequality across the nation. The report makes policy recommendations that focus on longer-term social security redesign as well as changes that should happen immediately. Read the full report.