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.
Publication
Banking on access: Ensuring access to banking in a digital age
The shift towards digital banking, accelerated by the pandemic, creates many opportunities and offers benefits for the economy as a whole – but also brings with it some risks. This report explores future access to retail banking services, and the best way to ensure any such changes take place fairly and sustainably, and no one is left behind.
| Published: | 22 June 2022 |
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| Author(s): | Scott Corfe, Richard Hyde, Bill Anderson-Samways |
Publication
Future-proofing justice: Making the civil and criminal courts world-leading by 2030
In recent decades the civil and criminal courts of England and Wales have demonstrated significant failings. These are causing considerable individual, societal and financial detriment and undermining the rule of law. This report surveys the current state of the courts and the likely impact of the current modernisation programme and outlines an agenda for reform that goes beyond the existing plans – in order to ensure that the UK’s courts are world-leading by 2030.
| Published: | 15 June 2022 |
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| Author: | Richard Hyde |
Publication
On Borrowed Time: Future Generations and the Net Zero Transition
The transition to a net zero economy raises questions about when costs should be paid, and by whom. This paper aims to set out a plain-language summary of how to think through two questions with critical implications. How much should we pay now, to avert future costs? And how should we pay, given a choice between carbon pricing and borrowing?
| Published: | 14 June 2022 |
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| Author(s): | Bill Anderson-Samways, John Hobby |
EVENT
The decarbonisation dividend: the economic, environmental and social benefits of more bus and coach journeys
Join us as we launch a new report by WPI Economics, kindly sponsored by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), exploring the economic, environmental and social benefits of more bus and coach journeys. The research provides new evidence of the benefits of supporting motorists to travel by bus and how these apply to different regions of the UK.
13 Jul 2022
11:30 - 12:30
11:30 - 12:30
13
Jul
2022
11:30 - 12:30
Media Release
SMF think tank responds to Private Rented Sector White Paper
The Social Market Foundation responds to the Government’s Private Rented Sector White Paper, out today.
| Published: | 16 June 2022 |
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Media Release
Voters and businesses support online court hearings
Most voters and businesses back the continued use of online court hearings as part of the modernisation of the justice system, a think-tank says today.
| Published: | 14 June 2022 |
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Media Release
SMF responds to Government Food Strategy
The Social Market Foundation responds to the Government’s Food Strategy, out today.
| Published: | 13 June 2022 |
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Opportunities and constraints of the emerging CBD market
Despite its medicinal and economic potential, regulatory constraints and outdated political views are hindering the impact of CBD. In this blog, Jake Shepherd, SMF Researcher, discusses the emerging CBD market and what the current regulatory landscape means for hemp farmers, consumers, and the industry as a whole.
Making it count: The stakes are high for Multiply
Multiply – the Government’s new multi-year adult numeracy programme to be launched in the Autumn – aims to address the UK's maths crisis. In this blog, whilst welcoming the additional funding and commitment to levelling up adult education, Linus Pardoe sets out three challenges that the programme needs to be overcome to make the money count.
Show me the money: UK needs to go further on pay transparency
Salary transparency is on the move, but it’s multi-faceted and not everyone is convinced of its merits. But the evidence is there to support it and, with any luck, the Government pilot announced on International Women’s Day is just the beginning.