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
Road to ruin? Public attitudes towards road pricing as an alternative to the current fuel duty regime
This briefing sets out new public opinion data on one - often deemed controversial - proposal for reforming Fuel and Vehicle Excise Duty: road-pricing.
| Published: | 15 October 2021 |
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| Author: | Scott Corfe |
Publication
Signal failure: How can we get more value and less waste from our education system?
This paper discusses the issue of signalling in education – the possibility that some forms of education may do little directly to improve learners’ skills and effectiveness, but may be used primarily to demonstrate or ‘signal’ their pre-existing traits or ability.
| Published: | 30 September 2021 |
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| Author(s): | Aveek Bhattacharya, Chris Percy |
Publication
Women in the Criminal Justice System: a better response to vulnerability
This paper discusses some of the issues facing women in the criminal justice system, and what policymakers can do to ensure a system that better responds to the circumstances and needs of female offenders.
| Published: | 23 September 2021 |
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| Author: | Aveek Bhattacharya |
EVENT
Roundtable event: How can we improve the financial situation for vulnerable and disengaged consumer groups after the pandemic?
This virtual roundtable event will discuss the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on young, vulnerable, and disengaged consumer groups in the current account market.
10:00-11:30
10:00-11:30
Media Release
Public dislike of ‘unfair’ fuel duty opens the door to road-pricing – think-tank
Public dislike of “unfair” fuel and road taxes is now so high that people would prefer to see a new system of road pricing put in place instead, new research shows today.
| Published: | 15 October 2021 |
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Media Release
Raab must end women’s unnecessary suffering in the criminal justice system
Dominic Raab, the new justice secretary, should make a national priority of reforming a criminal justice system that frequently fails abused and vulnerable women, a think-tank says today. The Social...
| Published: | 23 September 2021 |
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Media Release
UK must respect non-graduates or face turmoil – former Cabinet minster
Britain risks more political and social turmoil unless politics and business offer more opportunity and respect to people who do not have a university degree, a former Cabinet minister warns today.
| Published: | 21 September 2021 |
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Why higher education should take the ‘signalling critique’ seriously – and what that might look like
The maximum social and economic benefit of higher education can be realised when policymakers adequately address the 'signalling' critique. This commentary by Aveek Bhattacharya and Chris Percy is based on SMF's recent publication - Signal Failure - which aims to direct the time, energy and resources of our education system to things that really benefit learners and society at large.
Why we cannot forget local places on the road to a greener economy
Over the next three decades the pursuit of net zero will transform local areas throughout the UK.
Alternative proteins could let Boris Johnson have his steak and eat it
What we eat helps to define who we are. As Keith Floyd once said, “food is life, life is food”. Descriptions of Britishness often talk of fish and chips or roast beef, and we are a nation passionate about our food. So it’s understandable that politicians are wary of trying to influence our diets.