The Social Market Foundation is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank, standing proudly in the centre-ground of politics since 1989.  We bring together people of all parties and none to develop evidence-based policies that support a fair society and a strong economy.

Commentary

Making London a home and safe haven for everyone

Based on her own experience of navigating through a complex web of inequalities, London Mayoral candidate Natalie Campbell wants to ensure that the capital can now deliver a safe foundation for the next generation - as she sets out her plan to end youth homelessness and improve temporary accommodation in London.

Published: 14 March 2024
Author: Natalie Campbell MBE
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Commentary

How the next government can reform pensions to ensure a better deal for the economy and British savers

The UK’s pensions system is an international outlier, investing too little in illiquid assets. But there's great opportunity here - with DC schemes being able to take on greater risk as they are less constrained by regulation. In this blog, SMF Trustee Melville Rodrigues sets out how the next government should seek to unlock these savings to boost the economy and generate better returns for savers.

Published: 08 March 2024
Author: Melville Rodrigues
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Commentary

Upcoming fuel duty freeze will cost government over £20 billion and do nothing to alleviate poverty

It is all but announced that the Chancellor will continue to freeze fuel duty rates in the Spring Budget. But as the cost of the move to the Exchequer ticks up to nearly £130 billion - it's a shame that it will merely put money back into wealthy motorists' pockets, whilst also imperiling the Prime Minister’s goal of reducing debt as a proportion of GDP.

Published: 05 March 2024
Author: Gideon Salutin
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Media Release

UK has highest housing costs in the English-speaking world

Brits spend more on housing than their counterparts in New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Canada – comparable countries that have similar housing crisis issues, Social Market Foundation think tank analysis finds.

Published: 12 March 2024
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Media Release

1 in 5 people have been a victim of fraud in the last couple of years, international survey finds

Just over 1 in 5 (21%) of adults across UK and in 14 other countries around the world were defrauded between 2021 and 2023, a landmark survey finds.

Published: 12 March 2024
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Media Release

SMF responds to Spring Budget 2024

The Social Market Foundation's response to the Spring Budget 2024 follows below.

Published: 06 March 2024
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