Social Market Foundation
@smfthinktank.bsky.social
Britain’s leading cross-party think tank, with a mission to enable markets and government to work together to benefit society.
https://www.smf.co.uk/ | Also on LinkedIn and X (@SMFthinktank)
https://www.smf.co.uk/ | Also on LinkedIn and X (@SMFthinktank)
We're so proud that our own @danihpayne.bsky.social is a finalist for the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
November 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We're so proud that our own @danihpayne.bsky.social is a finalist for the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Dani is our fantastic Head of Education and Social Mobility - working to find policy solutions to make sure everyone has the best start in life.
Adapting our research to a changing world is crucial to finding the best policy solutions.
We're proud to be finalists for the Smart Thinking Award's Innovation Award - due to our work with Focal Data to develop & train AI chatbots to carry out qualitative interviews at quantitative scale.
We're proud to be finalists for the Smart Thinking Award's Innovation Award - due to our work with Focal Data to develop & train AI chatbots to carry out qualitative interviews at quantitative scale.
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Adapting our research to a changing world is crucial to finding the best policy solutions.
We're proud to be finalists for the Smart Thinking Award's Innovation Award - due to our work with Focal Data to develop & train AI chatbots to carry out qualitative interviews at quantitative scale.
We're proud to be finalists for the Smart Thinking Award's Innovation Award - due to our work with Focal Data to develop & train AI chatbots to carry out qualitative interviews at quantitative scale.
We're really looking forward to tomorrow's inaugural Smart Thinking Awards!🎉
It's fantastic to be a finalist for Think Tank of the Year - in recognition of our work in a variety of policy areas as we find solutions to deliver the change the UK needs.
It's fantastic to be a finalist for Think Tank of the Year - in recognition of our work in a variety of policy areas as we find solutions to deliver the change the UK needs.
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
We're really looking forward to tomorrow's inaugural Smart Thinking Awards!🎉
It's fantastic to be a finalist for Think Tank of the Year - in recognition of our work in a variety of policy areas as we find solutions to deliver the change the UK needs.
It's fantastic to be a finalist for Think Tank of the Year - in recognition of our work in a variety of policy areas as we find solutions to deliver the change the UK needs.
Will Labour tackle some of the long-term challenges facing the British economy?
In The i, @theobertram.bsky.social argues now is the time for the gov't to engage in innovative policymaking.
buff.ly/etsKEs6
In The i, @theobertram.bsky.social argues now is the time for the gov't to engage in innovative policymaking.
buff.ly/etsKEs6
Nigel Farage has given Rachel Reeves cover to scrap the triple lock
Economic stability does not have to mean sticking to the status quo
inews.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Will Labour tackle some of the long-term challenges facing the British economy?
In The i, @theobertram.bsky.social argues now is the time for the gov't to engage in innovative policymaking.
buff.ly/etsKEs6
In The i, @theobertram.bsky.social argues now is the time for the gov't to engage in innovative policymaking.
buff.ly/etsKEs6
The Treasury Select Committee has been clear - more action needs to be taken to prevent gambling harms in society.
We're pleased they agree with us that its time to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
We're pleased they agree with us that its time to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms
Treasury select committee calls for higher duties on most addictive forms, such as high-street slots and online games
buff.ly
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The Treasury Select Committee has been clear - more action needs to be taken to prevent gambling harms in society.
We're pleased they agree with us that its time to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
We're pleased they agree with us that its time to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
We're delighted that our Head of Education & Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social will join the Govt's Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group, which aims to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly/JfwInFI
buff.ly/JfwInFI
Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group
This group creates proposals to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
We're delighted that our Head of Education & Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social will join the Govt's Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group, which aims to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
buff.ly/JfwInFI
buff.ly/JfwInFI
Today, the Treasury Select Committee's report on gambling tax is clear - urging the Government to ensure that taxes on online betting games must reflect associated harms.
We are pleased to see the Committee back our calls, and trust that the Treasury will follow suit in the Budget.
We are pleased to see the Committee back our calls, and trust that the Treasury will follow suit in the Budget.
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Today, the Treasury Select Committee's report on gambling tax is clear - urging the Government to ensure that taxes on online betting games must reflect associated harms.
We are pleased to see the Committee back our calls, and trust that the Treasury will follow suit in the Budget.
We are pleased to see the Committee back our calls, and trust that the Treasury will follow suit in the Budget.
Reposted by Social Market Foundation
Great to see the Treasury Select Committee supporting higher taxes on the most harmful gambling products (including evidence submitted by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms
Treasury select committee calls for higher duties on most addictive forms, such as high-street slots and online games
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Great to see the Treasury Select Committee supporting higher taxes on the most harmful gambling products (including evidence submitted by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
For financial education to make a positive difference to one's life, it is important to start young.
SMF welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review backing our calls for introducing financial education at the primary school level.
SMF welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review backing our calls for introducing financial education at the primary school level.
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
For financial education to make a positive difference to one's life, it is important to start young.
SMF welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review backing our calls for introducing financial education at the primary school level.
SMF welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review backing our calls for introducing financial education at the primary school level.
At the launch of the SMF report ‘High Streets at stake’, SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social underlined why the ‘aim to permit’ rule in the 2005 Gambling Act is preventing politicians from making sure Britain’s High Streets are boosting their communities.
October 31, 2025 at 2:08 PM
At the launch of the SMF report ‘High Streets at stake’, SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social underlined why the ‘aim to permit’ rule in the 2005 Gambling Act is preventing politicians from making sure Britain’s High Streets are boosting their communities.
Our latest report, High streets at stake, shows that 44% of young people surveyed agreed that having gambling venues near to where they live makes them more interested in taking up the practice.
Read the data behind this👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read the data behind this👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Our latest report, High streets at stake, shows that 44% of young people surveyed agreed that having gambling venues near to where they live makes them more interested in taking up the practice.
Read the data behind this👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read the data behind this👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
We know that 33% of AGCs are in the top 10% poorest UK neighbourhoods - and residents in Brent told us first-hand about their concerns that they lead to crime, antisocial behaviour, and making it easier for vulnerable people to experience gambling harm.
Read more in My London👇
buff.ly/RxP0UHc
Read more in My London👇
buff.ly/RxP0UHc
North London area with gambling shops 'everywhere' and councils can't stop them
Residents have told researchers that gambling venues open too frequently, there are too many of them, and they are not benefitting the community
www.mylondon.news
October 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
We know that 33% of AGCs are in the top 10% poorest UK neighbourhoods - and residents in Brent told us first-hand about their concerns that they lead to crime, antisocial behaviour, and making it easier for vulnerable people to experience gambling harm.
Read more in My London👇
buff.ly/RxP0UHc
Read more in My London👇
buff.ly/RxP0UHc
We're delighted that @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social is endorsing our calls to scrap the 'aim to permit' rule in existing legislation - allowing communities a greater say over the future of their High Streets
Read Dawn's full foreword, and our latest report👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read Dawn's full foreword, and our latest report👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
October 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
We're delighted that @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social is endorsing our calls to scrap the 'aim to permit' rule in existing legislation - allowing communities a greater say over the future of their High Streets
Read Dawn's full foreword, and our latest report👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read Dawn's full foreword, and our latest report👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
AGCs are the sinkholes of the High Street - and local authorities urgently need new powers from Government to make sure communities have a say in the future of their spaces.
Watch SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social explain more
Read our latest report, High Streets at stake
Watch SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social explain more
Read our latest report, High Streets at stake
October 30, 2025 at 12:02 PM
AGCs are the sinkholes of the High Street - and local authorities urgently need new powers from Government to make sure communities have a say in the future of their spaces.
Watch SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social explain more
Read our latest report, High Streets at stake
Watch SMF Senior Fellow @jranoyes.bsky.social explain more
Read our latest report, High Streets at stake
Our latest report, High Streets at stake, lays bare public concern with Adult Gaming Centres and their potential to cause crime & antisocial behaviour.
Read the full report below👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read the full report below👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Our latest report, High Streets at stake, lays bare public concern with Adult Gaming Centres and their potential to cause crime & antisocial behaviour.
Read the full report below👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Read the full report below👇
buff.ly/cHEG43c
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
October 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
October 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Labour has promised to revitalise Britain’s High Streets as part of its push for local economic growth.
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
But do the UK’s gambling rules mean our shopping parades are turning into gambling hotspots? 🎰
@jamiegollings.bsky.social @jranoyes.bsky.social & Jake Shepherd investigate in our latest report
🎉We're absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for the Smart Thinking Think Tank of the Year Award!🎉
It's fantastic to be recognised for our work to the UK policy landscape - and a credit to the fantastic team at the SMF
Keep your eyes peeled for the awards on the 12th November👀
It's fantastic to be recognised for our work to the UK policy landscape - and a credit to the fantastic team at the SMF
Keep your eyes peeled for the awards on the 12th November👀
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
🎉We're absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for the Smart Thinking Think Tank of the Year Award!🎉
It's fantastic to be recognised for our work to the UK policy landscape - and a credit to the fantastic team at the SMF
Keep your eyes peeled for the awards on the 12th November👀
It's fantastic to be recognised for our work to the UK policy landscape - and a credit to the fantastic team at the SMF
Keep your eyes peeled for the awards on the 12th November👀
📽️ At the Treasury Select Committee, SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social outlined our proposals to tax online gambling that causes societal harm, whilst protecting horseracing.
October 28, 2025 at 12:42 PM
📽️ At the Treasury Select Committee, SMF Director @theobertram.bsky.social outlined our proposals to tax online gambling that causes societal harm, whilst protecting horseracing.
Can the new SME Strategy lay the foundation for a world-class SME ecosystem, or get knocked off course by broader pressures?
In his latest blog for the SMF, David Bharier from the British Chambers of Commerce analyzes the Gov'ts latest plans to help small and medium businesses:
buff.ly/3Zqvws1
In his latest blog for the SMF, David Bharier from the British Chambers of Commerce analyzes the Gov'ts latest plans to help small and medium businesses:
buff.ly/3Zqvws1
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Can the new SME Strategy lay the foundation for a world-class SME ecosystem, or get knocked off course by broader pressures?
In his latest blog for the SMF, David Bharier from the British Chambers of Commerce analyzes the Gov'ts latest plans to help small and medium businesses:
buff.ly/3Zqvws1
In his latest blog for the SMF, David Bharier from the British Chambers of Commerce analyzes the Gov'ts latest plans to help small and medium businesses:
buff.ly/3Zqvws1
Reposted by Social Market Foundation
There's been a lot of discussion on what leaving the ECHR would mean for immigration policy.
But it would also impact many areas of domestic policy too, which has had barely any discussion.
Fred Cowell lays out the potential impacts ⬇️
But it would also impact many areas of domestic policy too, which has had barely any discussion.
Fred Cowell lays out the potential impacts ⬇️
What would repealing the Human Rights Act and leaving the ECHR mean for domestic policy?🤔
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
October 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
There's been a lot of discussion on what leaving the ECHR would mean for immigration policy.
But it would also impact many areas of domestic policy too, which has had barely any discussion.
Fred Cowell lays out the potential impacts ⬇️
But it would also impact many areas of domestic policy too, which has had barely any discussion.
Fred Cowell lays out the potential impacts ⬇️
What would repealing the Human Rights Act and leaving the ECHR mean for domestic policy?🤔
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
October 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM
What would repealing the Human Rights Act and leaving the ECHR mean for domestic policy?🤔
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
In his first blog with the SMF, Dr Frederick Cowell of Birkbeck, University of London argues such changes cannot just been seen through the lens of immigration policy.
Read the blog👇
buff.ly/ZcNt1fo
On @gbnewsonline.bsky.social, @theobertram.bsky.social outlined why more represenative questions at PMQs is crucial to public trust in democracy
October 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
On @gbnewsonline.bsky.social, @theobertram.bsky.social outlined why more represenative questions at PMQs is crucial to public trust in democracy
Should Nigel Farage be given more questions at PMQs?🤔
On @bbc5live.bsky.social BBC Radio 5 Live, @theobertram.bsky.social argued in favour of Reform's leader - as well as Green MPs - getting more questions in Parliament, so their ideas face more scrutiny.
On @bbc5live.bsky.social BBC Radio 5 Live, @theobertram.bsky.social argued in favour of Reform's leader - as well as Green MPs - getting more questions in Parliament, so their ideas face more scrutiny.
October 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Should Nigel Farage be given more questions at PMQs?🤔
On @bbc5live.bsky.social BBC Radio 5 Live, @theobertram.bsky.social argued in favour of Reform's leader - as well as Green MPs - getting more questions in Parliament, so their ideas face more scrutiny.
On @bbc5live.bsky.social BBC Radio 5 Live, @theobertram.bsky.social argued in favour of Reform's leader - as well as Green MPs - getting more questions in Parliament, so their ideas face more scrutiny.