Latest Publications
Work, Skills & Education
We research all aspects of education and work, but we focus particularly on aspects that political debate often neglects: further education; vocational and technical education; apprenticeships and lifelong learning; in-work poverty.
Latest Publications:
Publication
SMF Briefing: Interpreting Work Programme performance
This short briefing provides a guide to interpreting the official Work Programme figures when they are released. We examine what the likely performance levels will be, based on past performance; explore the impact both of the economic context and the set-up of the scheme; and, draw broad conclusions about what the data release will and will not allow us to conclude about this flagship Coaltion programme.
| Published: | 25 June 2013 |
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| Author: | Social Market Foundation |
Publication
SMF Briefing: The Introduction of Universal Credit
This SMF briefing gives a background to what will change under Universal Credit, sets out who will be affected, and highlights future issues of concern.
| Published: | 26 April 2013 |
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| Author: | Social Market Foundation |
Publication
In the Balance: The STEM human capital crunch
The science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sector is at the heart of the Government’s aim to rebalance the economy for future growth. But the sector is already suffering skills shortages, severely limiting its ability to grow. This report quantifies the mismatch between future employment requirements and the supply of domestic skills in these industries, in the context of political pressure to reduce migration.
| Published: | 18 March 2013 |
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| Author: | Nida Broughton |
Publication
Britain’s Got Talent: Unlocking the demand for skills
This paper makes the case for an entirely new approach using market signals – employment rates and wage levels - to identify and serve the demand for skills.
| Published: | 05 July 2012 |
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| Author(s): | Ian Mulheirn, John Springford |
Publication
Will the Work Programme Work?
In this paper, the SMF examines the viability of WP by forecasting the likely performance of the providers during the first three years, based on the actual performance achieved under the Flexible New Deal (FND), Labour's welfare to work scheme.
| Published: | 22 August 2011 |
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| Author: | Ian Mulheirn |
Publication
Disconnected: Social Mobility and the Creative Industries
A range of experts - Alan Milburn, Sir Win Bischoff, Stephen Overell, David Johnston and Paul Collard – offer their thoughts on why social mobility is so low in the creative industries, and how policymakers and the industry can improve it.
| Published: | 01 December 2010 |
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| Author: | Ryan Shorthouse |
Publication
Funding Undergraduates
In this publication, the Social Market Foundation outlines a new funding model which takes the best of two existing proposals – tuition fees and a graduate tax – to build a system that creates a fair market for students and universities alike.
| Published: | 09 October 2010 |
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| Author(s): | Ian Mulheirn, Ryan Shorthouse |
Publication
SMF Briefing Note: Higher Tuition Fees and Real Interest to Hit Middle Earners
SMF Briefing Note on Higher Tuition Fees
| Published: | 13 September 2010 |
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| Author: | Ian Mulheirn |
Publication
More Than CV Points: The Benefits of Employee Volunteering for Business and Individuals
In this edited collection, a group of expert authors from across the private and charitable sectors offer their thoughts on the role of government in this agenda, and the actions needed from individual employers.
| Published: | 16 March 2010 |
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| Author: | James Lloyd |