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)
Huge congratulations to @danihpayne.bsky.social for winning the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Team SMF is so proud of Dani, and we know she'll continue to make a big impact in the world of education & social mobility.
Team SMF is so proud of Dani, and we know she'll continue to make a big impact in the world of education & social mobility.
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Huge congratulations to @danihpayne.bsky.social for winning the Smart Thinking Awards' Researcher of the Year!🎉
Team SMF is so proud of Dani, and we know she'll continue to make a big impact in the world of education & social mobility.
Team SMF is so proud of Dani, and we know she'll continue to make a big impact in the world of education & social mobility.
Ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, we're delighted that @danihpayne.bsky.social has been nominated for Think Tanker of the Year!🎉
November 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, we're delighted that @danihpayne.bsky.social has been nominated for Think Tanker of the Year!🎉
Today's the day!🎉
We're buzzing ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, where the SMF is a finalist for three awards.
It's safe to say we'll be keeping our fingers crossed!🤞
We're buzzing ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, where the SMF is a finalist for three awards.
It's safe to say we'll be keeping our fingers crossed!🤞
November 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Today's the day!🎉
We're buzzing ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, where the SMF is a finalist for three awards.
It's safe to say we'll be keeping our fingers crossed!🤞
We're buzzing ahead of tonight's Smart Thinking Awards, where the SMF is a finalist for three awards.
It's safe to say we'll be keeping our fingers crossed!🤞
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.
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.
Last year, our research found that just 1% of primary school teachers felt their students were adequately financially literate.
Read SMF's full response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review's recommendations: www.smf.co.uk/the-social-m...
Read SMF's full response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review's recommendations: www.smf.co.uk/the-social-m...
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Last year, our research found that just 1% of primary school teachers felt their students were adequately financially literate.
Read SMF's full response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review's recommendations: www.smf.co.uk/the-social-m...
Read SMF's full response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review's recommendations: www.smf.co.uk/the-social-m...
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'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
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
October 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
❓So, can local residents stop new AGCs from opening?
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
October 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
❓So, can local residents stop new AGCs from opening?
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
⚠️ Evidence suggests AGCs can have negative effects — from potentially facilitating crime to a risk of encouraging gambling among young people.
October 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
⚠️ Evidence suggests AGCs can have negative effects — from potentially facilitating crime to a risk of encouraging gambling among young people.
Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) have existed since 2005 — and their numbers are rising, with a 7% increase between 2022–24.
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
October 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) have existed since 2005 — and their numbers are rising, with a 7% increase between 2022–24.
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
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
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
❓So, can local residents stop new AGCs from opening?
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
❓So, can local residents stop new AGCs from opening?
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
Not easily - the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act means councils must generally approve licences, even when they clash with the Act’s protections against gambling harms.
⚠️ Evidence suggests AGCs can have negative effects — from potentially facilitating crime to a risk of encouraging gambling among young people.
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
⚠️ Evidence suggests AGCs can have negative effects — from potentially facilitating crime to a risk of encouraging gambling among young people.
Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) have existed since 2005 — and their numbers are rising, with a 7% increase between 2022–24.
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) have existed since 2005 — and their numbers are rising, with a 7% increase between 2022–24.
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
But what impact do they have on the neighbourhoods they open in? 🏘️
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
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
October 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
To give local people real power over their High Streets, we’re calling on the Govt to scrap the “aim to permit” rule.
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole
We also recommend:
• 💷 Removing the cap on licensing fees
• 🏛️ Giving councils more powers
• 🚫 Closing the AGC–bingo hall loophole