Economics to improve lives

We use economics to improve lives. Through analytical expertise and our close connection with the social sector, we help charities, funders, firms and policymakers tackle the causes and consequences of low wellbeing.

to improve lives

Children & young people

We’re facing a growing crisis in children’s wellbeing. One in four now report low wellbeing. This is not just a moral issue; it’s an economic imperative.

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& young people

Wellbeing poverty

Our wellbeing reflects what matters most in our lives – our health, our finances and our connections to those around us. Right now, more than 3 million adults in the UK are living in wellbeing poverty. We want to change that.

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poverty

Social sector

We know that charities, community groups and social enterprises are vital to society. They solve problems, uplift marginalised voices, deliver services and often prevent people experiencing low wellbeing.

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sector

Housing

Where we live impacts our wellbeing. Our analysis shows private renters face higher wellbeing risks than homeowners or social housing residents, with social housing offering a protective effect.

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Loneliness

Five million UK adults struggle with persistent loneliness, making them 12 times more likely to have low wellbeing. Our analysis shows young people, women, the separated, unemployed, and those in poor health are most at risk.

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Our impact

633

Organisations supported

645

Volunteers engaged in helping charities

9.4/10

Likelihood of recommendation rating from organisations supported

£1bn

Government funding for children's services, numeracy education and charities struggling with the cost of living

£250m

Additional government funding for children's social care in 2025-26

  • Our impact

    “Since its release, the PBE report has been central to our funding efforts”

    Football Beyond Borders
  • Our impact

    “PBE and partners have significantly enhanced our understanding of data collection, presentation and impact measurement”

    Veteran’s Aid
  • Our impact

    “We have really valued our relationship with PBE. Our work with them has helped to articulate the issues in children’s social care”

    The Children’s Society

Our services

Our economists, researchers and analysts can help you measure, understand and better articulate your impact, influence policy and make best use of your data. Our work takes many forms - from impact evaluations measuring how a charity’s work benefits society compared to its costs; to advocacy projects using rigorous analysis to show the benefits of policy change or calculate the true, often unseen cost of societal issues. We also provide training and free support for small charities via our Data First Aid service.

Better understand the impact of their services on the lives of those they help. When combined with practical support on managing their data efficiently, this gives them strong foundations to monitor outcomes over time and explore how changes to their services can increase their impact.

Many charities use the work PBE has done for them to support their campaigns to change policy and to provide evidence to policymakers, such as MPs, select committee members and local government figures. Policymakers can rely on PBE’s rigorous and independent analysis. The volunteer economists that PBE works with are also often in positions of influence, with many coming from the civil service and regulators.

In a challenging fundraising climate, growing numbers of funders are asking for evidence of how charities impact society and the value that their work brings. PBE helps charities to build this evidence for their interventions and to describe them in an impactful way to strengthen their case for support.

In surveys, two-thirds (67%) of charities say that undertaking impact measurement is ‘very important’ to them, but many do not have the skills, or time, to do it effectively. PBE’s economists are experts in impact measurement and evaluation. Their extensive experience is at the disposal of charities to help them to learn, build their skills, and save them time.

Support us

We rely on the support of a wide range of donors and partners to deliver our vital services to charities across the UK.