The latest figures show that the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) has raised almost £1.5 billion in revenue since its introduction. In this blog, Jonathan Thomas argues that the government should be clear that it is devoting these funds towards the ISC’s stated aim of addressing skills gaps in the UK workforce, rather than allowing them to disappear into an all-purpose black hole.

In the Spring Budget, Jeremy Hunt re-introduced a plan for investment zones, claiming that they will create "mini Canary Wharves' across the UK. In this blog, Gideon Salutin argues that without additional funding and bold action on fiscal devolution, the Chancellor's claim is unrealistic.

From speaking to landlords, we know that their greatest obstacle (and simultaneously, their greatest motivator) on going green is regulation. Postponing stricter energy efficiency requirements would be a mistake – jeopardising both the Government’s commitment to net zero and better housing.

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.