Commentary & Podcasts

The SMF hosted a speech and discussion with Jonathan Ashworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the 11 July 2023. This is the speech in full, with Jonathan sharing his vision for the future of the DWP.

The recent surge in mortgage rates is making it increasingly difficult for homeowners to repay their loans. In the worst case, this can lead to repossession, with mortgage holders across the country now at risk of losing their homes. This blog by Jake Shepherd explores measures the government could take to strengthen the UK’s mortgage safety net, revisiting previous SMF research on the topic.

The careers support provided to young people and adults is far from perfect, argue Aveek Bhattachrya and Niamh O Regan. But a new Education Select Committee report, drawing on the Social Market Foundation's research, shows there is growing consensus on the way forward.

The Labour Party is under pressure to commit to universal free school meals for primary school children. This blog by Lee Crawfurd explores the international literature on universal free school meal programs, finding that they are cost-effective and have long-lasting benefits.

Plans for a National Care Service are more than a decade old, but little have come out of them. Meanwhile, demand for adult social care is growing, it is not being matched by nearly enough workers in the sector. Matthew Ball, writes in a personal capacity, setting out how to ensure that social care becomes the respected and desirable profession it ought to be.

The new fraud strategy from the government is a welcome recognition that fraud is a significant problem facing the country, but the details suggest the Government does not fully appreciate the scale of the task ahead, argues Richard Hyde.