Twitter Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Linkedin-in
Onward Logo Colour White 2021

Social Fabric

Repairing the ties that bind communities together

A landmark programme to understand the changing nature of community in different parts of the UK, and explore ways to repair the social fabric of different places in meaningful and practical ways. Our Social Fabric programme is currently supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Youth Futures Foundation and Power to Change.

 

The Social Fabric programme is kindly supported by:
powertochangelogo
youth-futures-logo
joseph-rowntree-foundation-logo
Previous
Next

REPORTS

2023 Social Fabric Index

Onward’s 2023 Social Fabric Index maps community strength in different parts of the UK
by James Blagden, François Valentin

Burnt Out Britain: How we use and misuse our time, and why it matters

by Jenevieve Treadwell

Good Neighbours: How do levels of hyper-local trust vary and why does it matter?

by James Blagden, Luke Stanley

First Steps: Fixing childcare

Why we need to fix Britain’s broken childcare system.
by Bel Guillaume

The Kids Aren’t Alright: the 4 factors driving a dangerous detachment from democracy

Why young people are detaching from democracy and social norms – and what to do about it
by Luke Stanley, Will Tanner, Jenevieve Treadwell, James Blagden

The Good Life

Britain needs a radical new social covenant between people, their communities and the State after decades of social alienation and decline.
by Luke Stanley, Will Tanner, Jenevieve Treadwell
RECENT
Hydrogen: who pays? A practical alternative to the hydrogen levy
Hydrogen: who pays? A practical alternative to the hydrogen levy
A new Onward research note that laying out why the Government should...
The Generative AI Revolution: opportunities, shocks, and risks
The Generative AI Revolution: opportunities, shocks, and risks
2023 Social Fabric Index
2023 Social Fabric Index
Burnt Out Britain: How we use and misuse our time, and why it matters
Burnt Out Britain: How we use and misuse our time, and why it matters
Forced to Move: How to reduce climate migration to the UK
Forced to Move: How to reduce climate migration to the UK
Labour’s Plans for Childcare: Keynote Speech Bridget Phillipson MP
Labour’s Plans for Childcare: Keynote Speech Bridget Phillipson MP

EVENTS

Oct 5
12:15-
13:15

Community Renewal

CPC21
How to turnaround left behind neighbourhoods?
with:
Sep 15
15:30-
16:45

Giving young people a chance to serve

Event Full
Private invitation-only roundtable on how to build civic service opportunities for young people.
with:
Jun 18
11:00-
12:00

Building back together

How can civic society give young people a future after coronavirus? Held in partnership with NCS.
with:
Oct 5
12:15-
13:15

Community Renewal

CPC21
How to turnaround left behind neighbourhoods?
with:
Sep 15
15:30-
16:45

Giving young people a chance to serve

Event Full
Private invitation-only roundtable on how to build civic service opportunities for young people.
with:
Jun 18
11:00-
12:00

Building back together

How can civic society give young people a future after coronavirus? Held in partnership with NCS.
with:

Press Coverage

Politics Home

International Women’s Day began over one hundred years ago, yet violence against women persists

Researcher Phoebe Bunt writes for Politics Home on tackling violence against women and girls in the UK, arguing that tougher legal sanctions need to be accompanied by tools that help victims to access justice, and give them reason to trust the system.

Digital addiction and social polarisation driving young people towards authoritarianism, new Onward research shows

Media coverage summary of "The Kids Aren't Alright"

The Financial Times

Voiceless youth should worry the ageing Conservative party

Will Tanner, Director of Onward, wrote for the FT on how Britain’s Conservatives will not be immune from discontented young people moving to the authoritarian right.

iNews

Living closer to our parents is the key to fixing society’s problems

Will Tanner, Director of Onward, wrote for iNews on how family life has deteriorated and younger generations are suffering as a result.

Local Government Chronicle

Councils should support – not fight – community land trusts

Researcher Jenevieve Treadwell sets out the case for community land trusts and why councils should support them, citing research from our report 'The Good Life'

Reaction

Family drift is tearing apart our social fabric – here’s what we should do

Senior Researcher Luke Stanley writes for the Reaction on intergenerational family ties, citing research from our report 'The Good Life.'

Give single-earner families a £2,500 tax break, says think tank

Media coverage summary of Family Fortunes

The Times Red Box

Forget Handforth: parish councils are leading the way in levelling up

Onward Senior Researcher Luke Stanley writes for Times Red Box about our latest report, Double Devo.

Times Red Box

Gareth Davies MP: Increase social investment by putting profit and purpose together

Gareth Davies MP writes for Times Red Box about how to scale social investment in the UK, following his paper for Onward on the same subject.

Press Coverage

Politics Home

International Women’s Day began over one hundred years ago, yet violence against women persists

Researcher Phoebe Bunt writes for Politics Home on tackling violence against women and girls in the UK, arguing that tougher legal sanctions need to be accompanied by tools that help victims to access justice, and give them reason to trust the system.

Digital addiction and social polarisation driving young people towards authoritarianism, new Onward research shows

Media coverage summary of "The Kids Aren't Alright"

The Financial Times

Voiceless youth should worry the ageing Conservative party

Will Tanner, Director of Onward, wrote for the FT on how Britain’s Conservatives will not be immune from discontented young people moving to the authoritarian right.

iNews

Living closer to our parents is the key to fixing society’s problems

Will Tanner, Director of Onward, wrote for iNews on how family life has deteriorated and younger generations are suffering as a result.

Local Government Chronicle

Councils should support – not fight – community land trusts

Researcher Jenevieve Treadwell sets out the case for community land trusts and why councils should support them, citing research from our report 'The Good Life'

Reaction

Family drift is tearing apart our social fabric – here’s what we should do

Senior Researcher Luke Stanley writes for the Reaction on intergenerational family ties, citing research from our report 'The Good Life.'

Give single-earner families a £2,500 tax break, says think tank

Media coverage summary of Family Fortunes

The Times Red Box

Forget Handforth: parish councils are leading the way in levelling up

Onward Senior Researcher Luke Stanley writes for Times Red Box about our latest report, Double Devo.

Times Red Box

Gareth Davies MP: Increase social investment by putting profit and purpose together

Gareth Davies MP writes for Times Red Box about how to scale social investment in the UK, following his paper for Onward on the same subject.

i Newspaper

Priti Patel’s growing involvement in policing will hurt the Government

In a column for the i Newspaper, Will Tanner argues against political interference in operational policing.

Young people are the real victims of the loneliness epidemic

Media coverage summary of our report, Age of Alienation.

New Statesman

An age of alienation, why we must end the dangerous decline in community life

... what if the decline in community is not so much geographic as generational?

The Telegraph

The five signs you’re using your mobile phone too much and how to break the habit

The Telegraph refers to Onward's report, 'Burnt Out Britain', regarding the impact of phone use on sleep quality.

LocalGov

‘Red Wall’ areas score poorly on social fabric index

LocalGov reports on Onward's recent Social Fabric Index.

Manchester Evening News

North’s fraying social fabric

Manchester Evening News reports on fraying social fabric and Onward's recent Social Fabric Index.

The Times

British society needs all the help it can get

Lord Hague comments on the need for a volunteering revolution, referring to findings from Onward's report 'Age of Alienation' from our social fabric programme.

The Herald

Do yourself a favour. Put the phone down and get on with life

The Herald writes about Onward's 'Burnt Out Britain' report.

The Telegraph

Why you’re constantly burnt out – and what to do about it

The Telegraph reports on Onward's recent 'Burnt Out Britain' report, specifically the changes in sleep patterns of the public.

City AM

A four day week won’t save us from the modern day addiction to multitasking

City AM reports on Onward's 'Burnt Out Britain' report on the uses of time and how it has changed over recent years with technology.

iNews

The myth of multitasking – how to train your brain to slow down and perform better

iNews reports on Onward's recent research on time and it's uses in the report called 'Burnt Out Britain'.

About Manchester

Is Britain burnt out? New report busts biggest myths on our use of time

About Manchester covers Onward's recent report, 'Burnt Out Britain'.

The Standard

Britons increasingly burnt out because smartphones blur the lines between work and leisure

The Standard reports on Onward's recent report, 'Burnt Out Britain'.

The Independent

Your mobile phone is making you feel burnt out and exhausted, study says

The Independent mentions Onward's recent report on the the use of time called 'Burnt out Britain'.

Business Matters

Multi-tasking and burnt-out, but working Brits are sleeping more than they did in the 1970s

Business Matters reports on Onward's recent report from our social fabric programme, 'Burnt Out Britain'.

The politics of free time

The New Statesman reports on Onward's 'Burnt Out Britain' report, along with exclusive data.

Politico

London Playbook: All about crime— Grappling with grooming — Trash talk

Politico reports on Onward's recent report from our social fabric programme, 'Burnt Out Britain'.

The Times

Welcome to burnout Britain, where phones blur line between work and leisure

The Times covers Onward's recent report, 'Burnt Out Britain', along with comments from Senior Researcher, Jenevieve Treadwell.

City AM

Multi-tasking and burnt-out, but working Brits are sleeping more than they did in the 1970s

City AM covers Onward's recent report, 'Burnt Out Britain', with comments from Senior Research, Jenevieve Treadwell.

The Express

POLL: Do you support No 10 plan to reduce ‘low quality’ degrees to ease taxpayer burden?

The Express reports on a poll which asked voters 'Do you support No 10's plan to reduce 'low quality' degrees to ease taxpayer burden.'? This mentions Onward and its report on reform to university degrees.

Express

Prison is broken and this prolific offender explains why after 15 years behind bars

Sebastian Payne, Director at Onward, comments on prison reform.

Politics.co.uk

Week-in-Review: What’s behind Rishi Sunak’s agressive bipartisanship?

Politics.co.uk mentions Onward regarding the recent keynote speech it organised with Bridget Phillipson MP on childcare.

Unherd

Do young people prefer monarchy to democracy?

UnHerd mentions Onward and it's recent report on young people's attitude to democracy.

iNews

Will childcare costs go down at the 2023 budget?

iNews reports on growing childcare costs in the UK and mentions Onward regarding the recent keynote speech with a Labour MP.

The Independent

Labour’s Phillipson calls for end to childcare ‘tinkering’

The Independent reports on Bridget Phillipson's speech with Onward on childcare and the current state of it in the UK.

Evening Standard

Childcare in London has the highest prices and the most shortages

The Evening Standard reports on the high prices of childcare in London and across the country, and mentions Bridget Phillipson's recent speech at Onward.

Children & Young People Now

Labour to prioritise reforming ‘broken childcare system’

Children & Young People Now reports on Bridget Phillipson and her plans on childcare that she outlines at a speech for Onward.

Labour List

“Our focus will be on reform” – Bridget Phillipson speech on childcare

Labour List shares a full transcript of the Bridget Phillipson speech on childcare, hosted by Onward.

The Independant

Part-time UK chilcare costs now ‘eye-watering’ £15k per year

The Independent reports on increases in childcare costs across the UK, and mentions Bridget Phillipson's speech with Onward recently.

Politico

Labour tees up election fight over childcare

Politico reports on Onward's keynote speech with Bridget Phillipson regarding childcare and reform.

Politico

Labour Land: Bridget’s Big Plan

Politico mentions Bridget Phillipson's speech on childcare at Onward.

The Guardian

Some parents in England spending 80% of pay on childcare, study warns

The Guardian reports on childcare costs in the UK and gives a breakdown of regional differences, it mentions Bridget Phillipson's speech at Onward on childcare.

City AM

Labour warns UK only has half the childcare places it needs, as party demands urgent reform to support working parents

City AM mentions Onward's report on childcare in relation to the speech that Bridget Phillipson gave for Onward recently.

Express and Star

More families struggling to find childcare places and face ‘eyewatering bills’

The Express & Star reports on Bridget Phillipson's recent speech on childcare arranged by Onward.

Bloomberg

UK Labour Vows to Overhaul Costly ‘Free Hours’ Childcare System

Bloomberg reports on Bridget Phillipson's recent keynote speech with Onward where she spoke about childcare and Labour's plans to fix it.

The Daily Mirror

Labour will ditch ‘broken’ Tory childcare model – instead of ‘bolting on’ free hours

The Daily Mirror reports on Bridget Phillipson's recent speech at Onward on childcare costs in the UK and Labour's approach to reform it.

BBC News

Labour’s Bridget Phillipson vows to reform ‘free hours’ childcare

The BBC talks about Bridget Phillipson's speech and breaks down the numbers regarding the UK's childcare system.

iNews

Labour says it will ditch ‘free hours’ childcare model but fails to provide no details of replacement

iNews reports on the recent keynote Bridget Phillipson speech held by Onward, where she discussed reforming the UK's childcare system.

Nursery World

Labour analysis shows growing cost of childcare for parents

Nursery World reports on an analysis by the Labour party on growing childcare costs, in a run-up to the Bridget Phillipson event held by Onward.

The Guardian

If Starmer wants a defining policy his government, this is it: childcare, childcare, childcare

Onward is mentioned in the Guardian in an opinion piece about the keynote speech it held in March with Bridget Phillipson on childcare.

BBC News

Nursery sector in crisis after spiralling costs

BBC news reports on the UK's childcare situation and mentions a recent report from Onward regarding the increasing cost to families.

Spectator

How Labour can win: Bridget Phillipson on childcare, Brexit and faith

The Spectator writes about Bridget Phillipson and her recent keynote speech on childcare.

i News

Spring Budget: Jeremy Hunt set to reject £6bn childcare plan despite pressure to help parents back to work

i News cites Adam Hawksbee, Deputy Director of Onward, on fixing out broken childcare system.

The New Statesman

Pregnant Then Screwed’s Joeli Brearley: “I think motherhood radicalises you”

Anoosh Chakelian comments on Onward's report 'First Steps' on an interview with Brearley.

The Critic

Who will look after the kids?

The Critic discuss the increasingly unaffordable cost of raising children in the UK and the lack of choice parents have. They cite Onward polling from First Steps which found that a majority of parents would look after their children themselves, if money was no object.

The Constitution Society

The case for compulsory voting in the UK

The Constitution Society mentions Onward's findings in our report, 'The Kids Aren't Alright'.

On London

Richard Derecki: Childcare costs in London are increasing and the system looks past tweaking

On London mentions Onward's report, 'First Steps', on the rising childcare costs on labour market participation rates and productivity.

The Northern Agenda Podcast

How we can save Northern football: Onward’s Alex Luke on this week’s Northern Agenda podcast

Author of 'Open Goal' Alex Luke speaks on the Northern Agenda's weekly podcast about Onward's new report, revealing that two-fifths of clubs to enter administration since 1992 have been located in the North.

Manchester Evening News

The Northern Agenda: Open Goal

The Northern Agenda voices concern about the unaffordable debt facing Northern football clubs. Onward report 'Open Goal' found that two-fifths of football clubs to enter administration since 1992 have been located in the North. Northern football is at risk if the fan-led review is not implemented.

The Guardian

Tory backbenchers plan to put pressure on Hunt to cut childcare costs

Siobhan Baillie and fellow backbench MPs are to put pressure on Hunt to cut childcare costs. Onward report 'First Steps' finds that childcare costs have risen by an average of 21% across the UK in the past 5 years. Baillie and her colleagues follow Onward's recommendation to relax regulations that could help more people join the childcare industry.

The New Statesman

Can the Conservatives use football reform to rebuild Red Wall trust?

The New Statesman reports on new Onward research 'Open Goal' in collaboration with the Northern Research Group, finding that Northern football clubs are more likely to suffer financial difficulties and have accounted for two-fifths of administrations since the 90s.

The Sun

Football clubs will go bust unless they get protection from dodgy owners and cash for grassroots teams, MPs warned say

The Sun reports on new Onward research 'Open Goal' in collaboration with the Northern Research Group, finding that two-fifths of football clubs that have gone into administration since the 90s have been located in the North.

Politics Home

Tories warned push to get parents into work will fail without “fixing” childcare

Politics Home comments on Onward's perspective about a future childcare reform.

The Star

Bents Green and Millhouses: Sheffield neighbourhood branded ‘most trusting’ in England

The Star comments on Onward's report 'Good Neighbours.'

The Times

When economies fail, democracy is in danger

Emma Duncan's article for The Times on threats to democracy makes use of Onward's report 'The Kids Aren't Alright', citing the survey finding that three-fifths of 18 to 44 year olds think that 'having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament or elections' would be a good way to run the country.

The Conservative Reader

Paul Goodman calls for a truly Conservative childcare policy

Paul Goodman's Conservative Home comment piece features here in The Conservative Reader, drawing on ideas from Onward's First Steps report on reforming Britain's childcare system.

Prospect Magazine

Sunak is right to scrap Truss’s childcare proposals – but he needs his own plan

Prospect Magazine features Onward polling from First Steps, finding that a third of women say the cost of childcare has led to them or their partners considering quitting their jobs, in this article on Britain's childcare system.

Conservative Home

What a Conservative childcare policy would look like

Paul Goodman writes for Conservative Home on childcare reform, citing Onward's report 'First Steps' on fixing Britain's childcare system.

BBC Radio 4

Adam Hawksbee discusses our childcare report on Women’s Hour

Adam Hawksbee features on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour, speaking about the findings and recommendations from Onward's childcare reform report 'First Steps'.

The Times

Don’t ditch my childcare reforms, Liz Truss tells Rishi Sunak

The Times reports on Onward polling on parent attitudes to childcare from our report 'First Steps'.

Steyn Online

Debt, diversity and decline

Adam Hawksbee features on GB News, speaking about the findings and recommendations from Onward's childcare reform report 'First Steps'. Read media coverage of the interview here on Steyn Online.

Times Radio

Luke Stanley speaks to Times Radio

Luke Stanley discusses Onward's latest report on democracy and loneliness, "The Kids Aren't Alright".

The Independent

Waning support for democracy linked to social isolation – think tank

The Independent covers Onward's latest report on democracy and loneliness, "The Kids Aren't Alright".

The Municipal Journal

The chance to reclaim communities starts here

Ann McGauran shares her interview with Director Will Tanner on the importance of strengthening our communities, ahead of New Local's Stronger Things Conference.

Politics Home

We must harness the generosity of our communities to tackle future challenges

Dean Russell MP cites our report 'The Good Life,' in an article on giving back to our communities.

Institute of Economic Affairs Podcast

Luke Stanley speaks to the IEA Podcast

Senior Researcher Luke Stanley speaks to the Institute of Economic Affairs regarding the role of communities in levelling up.

Place North West

Should we level-up parish councils in 2022?

Kevin Whitmore covers our report Double Devo in a blog for Place North West.

The Telegraph

Give single earner families a £2,500 tax break, says Tory think tank Onward

The Telegraph reports on our latest report, Family Fortunes, and the case for a more generous tax break for families.

City AM

Britain’s social insurance is built on harmonious state, private and charity ties

Tom Tugendhat argues that Britain's future prosperity lies in getting business, charity and the state to work together to support communities - he cites Onward report 'Age of Alienation', in which we explored the country's fraying social fabric.

Guardian

If Johnson is serious about ‘levelling up’, he needs to look at what Labour got right

Polly Toynbee writes in The Guardian about Onward's latest report, Turnaround.

The Times

William Hague: There’s a volunteer army awaiting its orders

In his Times column, William Hague cites Onward's latest social fabric research into rising alienation among young people.

Grazia

From Party Girl To Nights Alone On The Sofa: How I Became Part Of ‘Generation No Friends’

Lauren Ezekiel considers the findings of our report, Age of Alienation, and reflects on her own experience of becoming more isolated during the pandemic.

Daily Mail

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ for under-35s: Young people’s feeling of solitude was made worse by Covid pandemic, report shows

The Daily Mail reflects on the findings of Age of Alienation and the "epidemic of loneliness" we expose.

The FT

Elizabeth Uviebinene: Make time for the people at the edge of your life

Elizabeth Uviebinene calls for us to reawaken the 'weak ties' in our networks.

Unherd

Nightclubs won’t save you

Mary Harrington writes about night clubs and the loneliness young people are experiencing.

New Statesman

Young people are the real victims of the loneliness epidemic

Though isolation is most typically considered a problem for the old, under-35s are increasingly the most friendless generation.

The Times

The ties that bind us are breaking down

James Marriott writes for the Times, considering our findings and the relationship between liberty and fractured relationships.

BBC London

Will Tanner speaks to Trisha Goddard on Talk Radio

Will Tanner spoke to Trisha Goddard on Talk Radio about what is driving increased isolation for young people.

GB News

Will Tanner speaks to GB News

Will Tanner, Director of Onward, was interviewed on the GB News breakfast programme about the 'epidemic of loneliness'.

BBC London

Will Tanner speaks to BBC London Radio

Will Tanner spoke to Vanessa Feltz on BBC London Radio.

Spiked

The social-distancing generation

Neil Davenport looks at how multiple lockdowns has exacerbated isolation among young people.

The Times

Want to get ahead? Get back to the office

Lord Hague considers our findings: "They are lonelier than any generation before them, with fewer close friends, as the latest report from the think tank Onward suggests".

Daily Mail

Will Tanner joins the Daily Mail podcast

Will Tanner joins the Daily Mail podcast discussing how young people are facing an epidemic of loneliness.

The Times

Fifth of adults under 35 say they have only one or no close friends

The UK is in the grip of an “epidemic of loneliness” among the young, according to a think tank that says the pandemic may have worsened the problem.

Unherd

Young people don’t want a Great Reset

Small wonder that the pandemic has accelerated a collapse of social trust among young people.

The Mirror

Covid-19 has left young people battling loneliness and many without friends

Figures from the think tank Onward revealed the number of under-35s with one or no close friend has tripled in the last 10 years.

TEAM

Jenevieve-Treadwell

Jenevieve Treadwell

Senior Researcher

James Blagden

Head of Politics & Polling

Jenevieve-Treadwell

Jenevieve Treadwell

Senior Researcher

James Blagden

Head of Politics & Polling

Steering Group

Lord James O’Shaughnessy_Onward

Lord James O’Shaughnessy

Advisory Board, Chairman of Social Fabric Steering Group

richard-clark-onward

Richard Clark

Social Fabric Steering Group

rob-walsh-onward

Rob Walsh

Social Fabric Steering Group

Alex-Smith-Onward

Alex Smith

Social Fabric Steering Group

Frank Soodeen_Onward

Frank Soodeen

Social Fabric Steering Group

Dr Chris Wood_Onward

Dr Chris Wood

Social Fabric Steering Group

Eilidh Whiteford_Onward

Eilidh Whiteford

Social Fabric Steering Group

Jon Cruddas MP_Onward

Jon Cruddas MP

Social Fabric Steering Group

vidhya-alakeson-onward

Vidhya Alakeson

Speaker, Social Fabric Steering Group

Danny Kruger MP Onward

Danny Kruger MP MBE

Speaker

Lord James O’Shaughnessy_Onward

Lord James O’Shaughnessy

Advisory Board, Chairman of Social Fabric Steering Group

richard-clark-onward

Richard Clark

Social Fabric Steering Group

rob-walsh-onward

Rob Walsh

Social Fabric Steering Group

Alex-Smith-Onward

Alex Smith

Social Fabric Steering Group

Frank Soodeen_Onward

Frank Soodeen

Social Fabric Steering Group

Dr Chris Wood_Onward

Dr Chris Wood

Social Fabric Steering Group

Eilidh Whiteford_Onward

Eilidh Whiteford

Social Fabric Steering Group

Jon Cruddas MP_Onward

Jon Cruddas MP

Social Fabric Steering Group

vidhya-alakeson-onward

Vidhya Alakeson

Speaker, Social Fabric Steering Group

Danny Kruger MP Onward

Danny Kruger MP MBE

Speaker

Related Areas of Work

Science Superpower

A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK

Future Politics

Understanding our changing political settlement

Getting to Zero

Practical and popular ways to decarbonise the economy

Levelling Up

Reducing economic disparities between places

Science Superpower

A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK

Future Politics

Understanding our changing political settlement

Getting to Zero

Practical and popular ways to decarbonise the economy

Levelling Up

Reducing economic disparities between places

Be the first to hear about our latest work and upcoming events

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy