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
Small business, big world: Ways to boost UK small business exports
Increasing the number of small businesses that export can be a key lever to grow the UK's economic pie. However, the UK’s recent record on small business exporting is not encouraging. This report explores three key ways to boost small business exports - wider adoption of trade tech, boosting the number of female-led businesses that export and the access to emerging markets - and how to address the barriers to progress on each front.
| Published: | 09 September 2024 |
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| Author: | Richard Hyde |
Publication
Running out of road: Navigating the route to decarbonised business fleets
Electric vehicles are at the forefront of the green transition, improving air quality and promoting cleaner, safer roads, but much of the policy discussion focuses on consumer uptake. This report looks at electric vehicle adoption among business fleets, and the need for better fast-charging infrastructure to promote uptake.
| Published: | 29 July 2024 |
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| Author(s): | Jake Shepherd, Gideon Salutin, Danila Patti |
Publication
Capital improvement: A proposal for a new in-work poverty benchmark for London employers
This report is the culmination of a three-year project supported by Trust for London examining the scale and impact of in-work poverty in London. It proposes the creation of a new employment benchmark, empowering employers to better support their staff.
| Published: | 24 July 2024 |
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| Author(s): | Richard Hyde, Jake Shepherd, Matthew Oakley |
Opportunity
New opportunity – Head of Strategic Communications (Temporary)
The Social Market Foundation, Britain’s leading cross-party thinktank, is looking for an experienced and motivated Strategic Communications expert to join our team on a temporary basis.
| Published: | 31 July 2024 |
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Media Release
The Social Market Foundation responds to the King’s Speech
The Social Market Foundation’s response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first King’s Speech follows below.
| Published: | 17 July 2024 |
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Media Release
The Social Market Foundation’s preview of the King’s Speech 2024
What should we expect from Keir Starmer’s first King’s Speech?
| Published: | 12 July 2024 |
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The winter fuel payment should be means-tested, or scrapped altogether
In this blog, Director Theo Bertram sets out why the government shouldn't give into pressure against its decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment. Though the measure was introduced by the last Labour government, the circumstances are very different and do not warrant a universal payment.
Ask the Expert: Pia Sinha on prison reform
Poor prison conditions are drawing considerable political attention. This has prompted the new government to introduce emergency measures, while campaigners push for wider reforms. In this latest ‘Ask the Expert’ interview, Jake Shepherd speaks with Pia Sinha of the Prison Reform Trust to explore the key challenges facing prisons.
Prevention is better than cure: Careers education and NEET reduction
Too many 16-18 year olds are falling out of the education and skills system, and in this guest blog, CEO of the Careers & Enterprise Company Oli de Botton explains how early intervention can help.