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
Too much of a good thing? International students and the financial stability of English higher education
International students benefit the UK, but the speed of the increase in their numbers since 2019 has diluted these benefits and created pressures on student housing. This briefing lays out how to manage their numbers to reduce these pressures without creating a financial stability risk for the higher education sector.
| Published: | 25 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Zeki Dolen |
Publication
Crazy for you: What just happened, and where next, for the UK’s switchback policy on international students?
The debate around international students has taken a more negative tone both in the UK and in other major host countries over the past year. This report sets out the competing priorities around the policies – which lie at the intersection of higher education, immigration and trade – governing questions of the UK’s offer to and admission of international students.
| Published: | 25 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jonathan Thomas |
Publication
Pensions: a vision for the future
The pensions landscape is complex and unsustainable in its current form. This report proposes a vision for a simpler, fairer and more sustainable pensions landscape, incorporating the three pillars of State Pension, workplace provision and personal provision into a holistic framework.
| Published: | 10 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Michael Johnson |
Media Release
‘Fix universities’ overreliance on international students to improve long-term financial sustainability’, think tank says
Recent restrictions to international students coming to the UK haven’t addressed universities’ dependence on them for core funding, and risk worsening outcomes for all students, think tank says.
| Published: | 24 June 2024 |
|---|
Media Release
The Social Market Foundation responds to the Labour Party manifesto
The Social Market Foundation has reacted to the Labour Party manifesto, as well as specific policies – including those on housing, taxes, net zero and immigration and skills.
| Published: | 13 June 2024 |
|---|
Media Release
The Social Market Foundation responds to the Green Party manifesto
The Social Market Foundation has reacted to the Green Party manifesto, as well as specific policies – including those on social housing, transport and net zero.
| Published: | 12 June 2024 |
|---|
Ask the Expert: Maximilian Kasy and Lukas Lehner on universal job guarantee
Universal job guarantee is a government policy that ensures every citizen who wants employment can obtain a job. In this blog, Jake Shepherd interviews University of Oxford economists Maximilian Kasy and Lukas Lehner to discuss the benefits of a successful job guarantee scheme in Austria, and its implications for UK policymakers.
Supply, demand and Nigel Farage: is there really any difference between the Conservatives and Labour over immigration policy?
With immigration set to be one of the key issues of the election campaign, Jonathan Thomas sets out the similarities and differences between Labour and Conservatives on immigration policy - and how they could change during the campaign.
Winter bills crisis will be early test for the next government
A falling price cap, given worsened weather and global supply chain shocks, won't be enough to households in need with the respite on bills that they need. With both main parties promising cheaper energy bills, whoever wins in July should be bold on addressing our failing energy bill support schemes and fix the roof while the sun shines.