Tag Archives: Poverty and Social Mobility

New research from the Social Market Foundation think tank finds that the government is on course to miss its targets of widening participation in higher education – and has found significant differences between institutions’ intake of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

New research released today by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think-tank warns that 1.73 million workers will continue to be paid below the National Living Wage (NLW) when it comes into force in April 2016 because it does not cover the self-employed. By 2020, the NLW is expected to rise further, resulting in the number of self-employed workers paid below the new rate rising to 1.88 million.

A new report released today by the Social Market Foundation think-tank warns that, while effective for some, the threat of sanctions can do more harm than good and has not improved employment outcomes for disabled people.

A new report from the Social Market Foundation (SMF), released on Tuesday, reveals the changing nature of inheritance in the UK and how patterns of financial and non-financial support across generations of families have evolved as we live longer.

The commission, launched this morning by its chair, former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, is an independent, cross-party initiative which is examining the causes and effects of inequality in education at primary and secondary levels in England and Wales.

Speech by Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP to launch the Social Market Foundation's Commission on Inequality in Education on 12 January 2016. Check against delivery.

The Social Market Foundation's response to the Summer Budget 2015. Here we look at the OBR's update to see whether the Chancellor's spending plans are on track, we examine the Living Wage announcement and see if this conflicts with changes to tax credits, we look into the changes to Higher Education funding and apprenticeships, and the government's green paper on pension and savings tax relief.

A new SMF report warns that the declining financial position of younger workers and those on low incomes puts a limit on the UK economy’s ability to depend on consumer spending for growth.

Reverse auction schemes – where suppliers bid for consumer’s business – would spark fresh competition in consumer markets and help those on low incomes achieve better value for money, says a new report by think tank the Social Market Foundation (SMF).