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
Testing patience: Reducing the burden of the English school curriculum
Nearly a decade on from the last major reforms, politicians are again turning their attention to the national curriculum. This briefing assesses claims that the curriculum is ‘too packed with content’, and sets out how curriculum and assessment reform can improve secondary level education in England.
| Published: | 07 May 2024 |
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| Author: | John Asthana Gibson |
Publication
Up for grabs? Public attitudes on the pensions ‘pot-for-life’ proposal
The SMF recently published proposals for ‘member choice’ over pensions, whereby individuals can direct their contributions to a scheme of their choice. Meanwhile, the government is consulting on related proposals for a ‘lifetime provider’ model. This paper presents evidence on public attitudes to these proposals, drawing on a survey of workers, and two expert roundtable discussions on the topic.
| Published: | 26 April 2024 |
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| Author: | Niamh O Regan |
Publication
Labour Economics: Thinking through Labour’s economic agenda
With Labour Party having vowed to achieve the fastest growth in the G7, the SMF has brought together leading economic experts to provide independent analysis of the party’s proposed approach – and the gaps it needs to fill.
| Published: | 22 April 2024 |
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| Author: | Various |
Media Release
‘Police is falling behind private sector in using tech’, says Labour PPC Jake Richards
To honour its commitment to restoring effective neighbourhood policing, Labour PPC Jake Richards is calling on his party to create an agenda for law enforcement’s use of emerging tech and access to data.
| Published: | 10 May 2024 |
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Media Release
‘Slim down GCSEs to reduce curriculum overload’, think tank says
While there is scope to remove content from England’s national curriculum, this is unlikely to reduce the burden on students and teachers without reforming exams, according to a paper published today by the Social Market Foundation.
| Published: | 07 May 2024 |
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Media Release
Nearly 80% of gen z and millennials want a single pension pot for life, survey shows
New survey shows younger people favour of government plans for a pension pot for life, a new survey reveals.
| Published: | 26 April 2024 |
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How embracing technology can restore confidence in the police
In this blog, Jake Richards, Labour PPC for Rother Valley, lays out the role technology can play in changing the way we police, and rebuild trust between the force and the public.
Club together: How clubs can help solve our connection crisis
In this blog, Kirsty McNeill, Labour PPC for Midlothian, makes the case for more investment in social clubs to strengthen local communities and solve our connection crisis.
Examining British police pay and the ‘P-Factor’
Sustained real-terms losses to earnings and heightened exposure to harm while on duty prompt questions about the adequacy of police officers’ salaries. This blog, sponsored by the Police Federation, examines UK police pay and discusses the ‘P-Factor’, a pay policy that renumerates officers for risks and restrictions inherent to the profession.