Britain’s leading cross-party think tank, with a mission to enable markets and government to work together to benefit society.
London, UK
Joined July 2009
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John Healey faces his first major test as Chancellor next week with his first Budget.
Here's five asks we have, looking to tackle some of the big challenges facing the UK in the years to come.
Read more: smf.co.uk/opinion-and-analys…
🚨 ICYMI🚨
Today’s Budget provides immediate relief for households, but details of changes on many larger issues yet to come.
Read our full response to #Budget2026
smf.co.uk/todays-budget-prov…
AI could transform the way we do Government for the better - but whilst there were interesting proposals, #Budget2026 needed to go further to realise AI's potential.
Read @SamEPRobinson's reflections 👇
#Budget2026 saw a further freeze to fuel duty - but as @gideonsalutin highlights, this is not the best policy lever to help motorists.
Read more 👇
#Budget2026 has seen some welcome steps towards reversing the sense of decline on High Streets across the country.
Read @jamiegollings' reaction 👇
#Budget2026 unfortunately has not seen action to tackle issues around student loans - with a lack of action meaning the system does not honour the principle that repayments reflect the financial benefit graduates receive from their degree.
Read @danihpayne's reaction 👇
#Budget2026 has seen some positive announcements & immediate support - yet details of wider changes are yet to come.
Read @beckymontacute's response 👇
We're pleased the Government has heeded our calls and raised Machine Games Duty, though we remain sceptical of the impact of such a small increase.
Our Chief Economist's response👇
#Budget2026
There's mounting pressure on government to take action on Plan 2 student loans at the Budget.
Earlier this year, SMF's @danihpayne and @beckymontacute explored options to reform, including the impact on changes to repayment thresholds - widely expected to be announced tomorrow.
Read the Substack article, setting out SMF's view on the student loan crisis danihpayne.substack.com/p/ho…
This week, we're hoping to see an increase to Machine Games Duty (MGD) in the budget - the tax on betting terminals/slot machines.
These machines are commonly seen in gambling shops on British high streets. 🎰
What is MGD, and why are we calling for an increase?
🧵👇
We estimate doubling MGD on Category B machines to 40% could increase revenue by between £275 and £458 million.
By limiting tax increases to Category B machines, government would protect the hospitality sector including pubs.
Our full report on the arguments for increasing Machine Games Duty on category B machines can be found here
smf.co.uk/publications/addre…
This is devastating.
At least 3,500 children aged under 7 could be victims of extensive industrial contamination (including lead) in Corby, likely meaning a childhood cancer epidemic.
Yet another reminder that UK is dangerously complacent about the problem of lead poisoning.
Earlier this year, SMF highlighted the extent to which UK's systems are simply failing to detect lead exposure, often until it is too late.
It's high time to implement a national screening programme for lead, covering every child.
smf.co.uk/publications/lead-…
