Dear colleague,

Foreword from the Director of the SMF, James Kirkup.

Get ready for a general election. That’s my expectation of the Boris Johnson Government and its future. That could be an election called after the UK leaves the EU in October by a Tory leader hoping to cash in on delivering on his central promise. At least as likely, I think, is an election before exit, called by a PM who says his path has been blocked by intransigence in Brussels and anti-democratic elites at Westminster: give me a mandate to deliver Brexit at last, he would urge voters. 

A political scene dominated by Brexit might look forbidding for a think-tank that focuses on markets, education and skills and public services. After all, that’s the stuff that gets drowned out in the Brexit drama. 

But in truth, government and politics is never about just one thing. The centre of government may be focused on Brexit, but the rest of Whitehall is hungry for insight and ideas; so too are opposition parties. 

And that likely election means manifestos must be written. Brexit might hog the headlines, but domestic policy remains the bedrock of politics and government. We have busy months ahead.  
 

Best,

James Kirkup

Policy Recommendations

Here are some of the policies the SMF believes that any prime minister, of any party, should implement in order to deliver fair markets and better public services.

Continue reading here.

Report Highlights

Health, care and the 100-year life
by Kathryn Petrie and James Kirkup

A child born today has a one in three chance of living to 100. Increasing longevity raises a series of questions about the future of the health, care and medicine systems of the UK. Are these systems sustainable? What new challenges might these systems face? Will the 100-year life be beneficial to all members of society?

Full Report.

The Times
It’s a good thing we’re living longer but we need to be prepared for the health problems
 

How sustainable finance can tackle the climate emergency
by Mary Robinson, Sir Roger Gifford and many more

With growing political and social consensus that economies must decarbonise in response to the global climate emergency, assembling the resources required to fund and support that transition, and to prepare those economies for growth in a “net zero” era is one of the greatest public policy challenges we face. This collection of essays by leading experts and practitioners in the field of green finance addresses how that challenge can be met.

Full Report

The Telegraph
How banks can save the world

Financial Times
Banks need to get ahead of climate change, or else

City A. M.
Former UN climate chief calls for fossil fuel database
 

Speeches 

Smarter sentences, safer streets

Speech by Rt. Hon David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Justice, calling for an evidence-led approach to sentencing to tackle reoffending.

Full Speech

Competition rules must continue to evolve

Business Secretary, Greg Clark, makes a speech about competition rules and the need for change to prevent potential new forms of consumer harm.

Full Speech

Comment

The future of UK housing: three recommendations for the PM
by Linus Pardoe

With a new occupant behind the door of No.10, how might the government address Britain's perennial dilemmas over UK housing policy? In early July, the SMF and ESRC (part of UK Research and Innovation) assembled an expert panel to discuss what recommendations they would place on the new PM's desk. Christine Whitehead (LSE), Jeff Matsu, (CaCHE and RICS), and Lord Bob Kerslake (Peabody) all offered their ideas.

Continue reading here

New Opportunity at the SMF:
Office Administrator

Closes 12 noon 5 August 

The Social Market Foundation, a think-tank at the centre of British political life, is looking for an Office Administrator to run its busy office and manage its building at the heart of Westminster.

This is an opportunity to join a small team delivering research and events on a range of public policy issues.