Interested in joining the board of Britain's leading cross-party think tank? The Social Market Foundation is looking to appoint up to two new trustees. Applications close 21st August 2026. www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

New opportunity: Trustee – Fundraising and Philanthropy - Social Market Foundation.

SMF is seeking two trustees, with a focus on fundraising from high net-worth individuals, philanthropic foundations, and major donors.

smf.co.uk

As Cllr Victoria Akintomide-Akinwamide says in @labourlist.bsky.social, our research shows 7.5 million people are on track to retire with inadequate savings. Read her full article 👇️ buff.ly/LtcZWXJ

‘From a nation of savers to a nation of investors: Labour must stay the course’ – LabourList

One of the most significant economic reforms initiated by Rachel Reeves as Chancellor of the Exchequer supported the ambition to transform Britain from a “nation…

labourlist.org

New Education Secretary Lucy Powell has said the student loan system is at the top of her in-tray. 👇 @danihpayne.bsky.social and @beckymontacute.bsky.social recently looked at the options available to government for reform. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

How do you fix a problem like student loans?: On the Plan 2 student loan controversy and what government should do about it

A small but consequential change in last years Budget is becoming an inescapable problem for Labour. What can they do to fix it?

smf.co.uk

Our Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on today's vocational education announcement, and the need for the pathways to be properly funded to make them truly competitive with academic routes - www.independent.co.uk/life-style/a...

Middle-class parents must change their ways for Andy Burnham’s schools plan to work

While the prime minister looks to put technical education at the heart of the curriculum, there is a risk that privately educated and middle-class pupils are still steered towards A-levels and the ful...

independent.co.uk

This August children across England will have access to free bus travel. The policy was inspired by a scheme in WECA - we invited Ingrid Skeels, from a Hartcliffe (south Bristol) based charity to talk about the history of the policy and the importance of accessible travel for young people ⤵️

Free bus travel for children – a transformative policy for children's mobility and life chances - Social Market Foundation.

Affordable buses are crucial for children's mobility. Ingrid Skeels shares the story behind this summer's national free buses for kids scheme

smf.co.uk

Interested in a board level opportunity at one of Britain's leading think tanks? We're looking to appoint up to two trustees with fundraising/philanthropy experience at the @smfthinktank.bsky.social Do share in your networks/happy to answer any Qs 🙂 www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

New opportunity: Trustee – Fundraising and Philanthropy - Social Market Foundation.

SMF is seeking two trustees, with a focus on fundraising from high net-worth individuals, philanthropic foundations, and major donors.

smf.co.uk

We're looking to appoint 2 new trustees to our board. Do you have experience of fundraising and/or philanthropy? This is the chance to help shape the financial future of Britain's leading cross party think tank ⬇️ www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

New opportunity: Trustee – Fundraising and Philanthropy - Social Market Foundation.

SMF is seeking two trustees, with a focus on fundraising from high net-worth individuals, philanthropic foundations, and major donors.

smf.co.uk

SMF researcher Barney Dowling looks at how the government can create space to reform social care, by reforming council tax alongside it ⬇️ www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Social care and council tax – fixing the fundamental crisis in local government

The system of social care is broken, bankrupting many local authorities - can the Government use this to show it can fix big problems?

smf.co.uk

Our Chief Economist @gideonsalutin.bsky.social is in @politicshome.bsky.social on the politics of Andy Burnham's recently announced bus cap 🚌 www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Stop arguing over accounting and call this bus fare cap what it is – a huge policy win

The bus fare cap is a rare case of “Treasury brain” aligning with public demand.

politicshome.com

👏 Great to hear PM Andy Burnham's commitment today to ending rough sleeping in this Parliament. As the SMF has set out, Housing First is the best policy lever to tackle the issue, and has already proven successful both at home and abroad. www.smf.co.uk/publications...

Housing First: How to radically reduce rough sleeping this parliament

Some have argued that rough sleeping is unsolvable. The tried and tested Housing First model prooves this wrong.

smf.co.uk

How could government give hope to young people? Our proposal Citizens Advance would put money in their pockets today: allowing young people the chance to take the first year of their state pension as a lump sum (about £12,500) now. An inheritance for everyone, not just those born into wealth.

📢 We're hiring an Events Officer! Want to organise high-profile discussions with leading policymakers, experts and politicians? Join the SMF and help deliver our programme of in-person, online and hybrid events. Learn more & apply: www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

As temperatures rise, the need for air conditioning has become increasingly important💨 Read Niamh O Regan on the need for more public spaces that help to keep us cool👇

This 123-year-old air-con system has lessons for managing today's sweltering heat

As climate change roasts cities around the world, history shows that air conditioning can be the difference between life and death for vulnerable people – but it comes at a cost.

buff.ly

Our Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social is in @labourlist.bsky.social today, making the case that universal early education should be a core mission for government ⬇️

Rebecca Montacute@beckymontacute.bsky.social · 3w ago

I've written for @labourlist.bsky.social on Bridget Phillipson's recent speech on the need for universal access to early education/childcare (and a suggestion for the first step to get there) - labourlist.org/2026/07/univ...

Our report warns at frontline services are likely to be missing opportunities to catch gambling related harms. With action from national and local government, gambling harms can be tackled consistently across the UK. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

Local Councils have responsibilities on public health – but approaches to tackling gambling harm vary. Our report shows Greater Manchester Combined Authority as an example of a long-term, public health focused approach. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

Great to launch @smfthinktank.bsky.social report with @populationhealth.bsky.social on recognising gambling harms in frontline services in Manchester today - particularly given Greater Manchester's innovative approach on tackling gambling harms locally.

🚨JOB ALERT🚨 The SMF is seeking a bright and hardworking person to help our events team organise interesting, informative and impactful discussions between leading policy experts and high-profile politicians. Read more about this new opportunity👇

New opportunity: Events Officer - Social Market Foundation.

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) is Britain’s leading cross-party think tank. Our mission is to enable markets and government to work together to benefit society. We achieve this through the...

buff.ly

We should be treating gambling harm as a public health issue 📑That's the argument made in our new report out today, written by Senior Researcher Niamh O Regan in collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social.

Social Market Foundation@smfthinktank.bsky.social · 3w ago

While gambling is common in Britain, it is a highly addictive habit, with demand for support for problem gambling surging. Our latest briefing explores how a public health approach could work in practice. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

While alcohol & tobacco addiction are treated as public health issues, approaches on gambling harm have been slower to advance. Our latest report explores the siloed landscape that means treatment is less accessible. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

While gambling is common in Britain, it is a highly addictive habit, with demand for support for problem gambling surging. Our latest briefing explores how a public health approach could work in practice. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

📅 NEW EVENT - How frontline services identify (and miss) gambling harms - Manchester, 14th July, 2.30-3.30pm. The @smfthinktank.bsky.social will be in Manchester next week to discuss a new report on gambling harm recognition in frontline services, do join if you can 🙂 luma.com/ztkitzc6

Building knowledge of gambling harms across support services · Luma

Taking place in central Manchester, this Social Market Foundation and Centre for Population Health panel event will explore how those working in and around the…

luma.com

If Andy Burnham wants to be a bold reformer, he should take on our hated council tax system and bring parties together to fix adult social care. Read @theobertram.bsky.social's pitch to the likely next PM in @arguablymag.bsky.social👇 buff.ly/3LgPBMr

20 ideas for Andy Burnham’s 100 days

Policy experts on how the next Prime Minister can turn the UK around

arguably.uk

As @alexballingermp.bsky.social says, our proposals for a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines help to tackle gambling harm, whilst protecting hospitality and pubs. Read the full report buff.ly/JleqwH4

Our proposals to raise taxes on Category B slot machines are supported across the political spectrum. More than 40% of voters from each of the five major parties back the policy - and more back a tax rise than cut in every case. Read the report ⬇️ buff.ly/JleqwH4

Responding to @chriswebbmp.bsky.social, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was "struck" by our findings on misinformation in the Makerfield by-election. We're pleased the newly announced Local Media Plan is only the 'start' of the Government's ambitions for local news. Watch the exchange 👇

As AI reshapes recruitment, entry-level hiring becomes less profitable. Instead of letting it worsen the youth unemployment crisis, policy should make entry-level hiring cheaper by extending the employer NI exemption to age 25, KCL's Jacob Schaal explores in new blog 👇 www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Our latest report proposes a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines. It would raise revenue from machines most linked to gambling harm while shifting spending towards sectors such as hospitality that create more jobs and tax revenue. buff.ly/JleqwH4

We think there should be a targeted approach to tackle gambling harm and raise revenue – which is why our most recent report protects the low risk slot machines found in hospitality entirely. buff.ly/JleqwH4

With the UK set to ban social media for under-16s, tech companies should view the UK's announcement as a tipping point. 📖Read @theobertram.bsky.social in @theguardian.com buff.ly/H1DzXpI

‘Tech firms are losing the public’: social media age bans near tipping point

UK is latest country to set a minimum age for social media but big tech is fighting back globally against curbs

theguardian.com