Henry Parkes

Principal economist and head of quantitative research

Henry is a principal economist and head of work, social security and living standards at IPPR.

He also provides analytical support to the wider institute, and leads on the IPPR tax-benefit model.

At IPPR, Henry has worked on a range of topics spanning labour markets, social security, taxation and housing. He specialises in quantitative methods and has experience in a range of analytical techniques including forecasting, policy costing, regression analysis and microsimulation modelling. 

Henry has written about economic policy for the Independent, New Statesman and Left Foot Forward.

Prior to joining IPPR in 2019, Henry was an economic advisor in the Government Economic Service. He holds a first-class degree in economics from the University of Nottingham.

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  1. Door, leaving or back with parent and child in home together for goodbye or start of morning. Entrance, family or holding hands with person and kid in apartment for travel to school or business

    Work isn't working: Family, work and progression on a low income

    Most children in poverty in the UK are in working households, a phenomenon that has emerged since the early 2000s.
  2. A 'To Let' sign outside a row of houses on a residential street, UK

    High housing costs in the private rental sector: The case for action

    45 per cent of all private renters in the UK have unaffordable rents. It's time for the government to act to limit rent increases.

  3. Henry Parkes discussing child poverty at Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee

  4. Student loan reform: Weighing the trade-offs

    Millions of graduates are paying more for longer as frozen thresholds and high interest rates bite, leaving ministers with tough choices on how to deliver meaningful, targeted relief.
  5. A mother and child from behind looking out of a window

    Restoring security: Understanding the effects of removing the two-child limit across the UK

    The government’s decision to lift the two-child limit marks one of the most significant changes to the social security system in a decade.
  6. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Fairness first: How the budget can make life better and the economy stronger

    The chancellor faces a daunting task at the upcoming budget. A fiscal gap sets the stage, putting the chancellor in the unenviable position of having to raise taxes.