Written by: Amy Clair, ESRC Research Centre for Micro-Social Change, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex

In this essay, SMF Director James Kirkup reflects on the merits and failures of markets, whilst looking forward towards work we’re doing with Citizens Advice, exploring what we can do when markets don’t deliver the social benefits we expect of them.

Big companies are ignoring poverty even as they promise to support the ESG agenda of greener and more responsible capitalism, new analysis reveals today.

The Chancellor George Osborne and the Business Secretary Sajid Javid made a joint announcement on Monday about government plans to boost competition in nine key consumer markets.

The British public is dangerously underestimating the medical risks that arise from longer average lifespans, a think-tank warns today.

In this blog we look at the possible impact of Brexit on Government targets for the public finances, including deficit reduction and borrowing. We find that the impact leaves many of the spending suggestions made during the referendum campaign unfunded.