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)
ISAs🏦
John Asthana Gibson welcomed moves for Brits to invest more - but argued moves in #Budget2025 to cut the ISA cash limit was the wrong way to do so.
John Asthana Gibson welcomed moves for Brits to invest more - but argued moves in #Budget2025 to cut the ISA cash limit was the wrong way to do so.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
ISAs🏦
John Asthana Gibson welcomed moves for Brits to invest more - but argued moves in #Budget2025 to cut the ISA cash limit was the wrong way to do so.
John Asthana Gibson welcomed moves for Brits to invest more - but argued moves in #Budget2025 to cut the ISA cash limit was the wrong way to do so.
SME's💼
#Budget2025 was a chance to tackle some of the key obstacles that hold back investment by SMEs.
Richard Hyde argues that Gov't could have introduced a number of measures to help overcome these challenges.
#Budget2025 was a chance to tackle some of the key obstacles that hold back investment by SMEs.
Richard Hyde argues that Gov't could have introduced a number of measures to help overcome these challenges.
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
SME's💼
#Budget2025 was a chance to tackle some of the key obstacles that hold back investment by SMEs.
Richard Hyde argues that Gov't could have introduced a number of measures to help overcome these challenges.
#Budget2025 was a chance to tackle some of the key obstacles that hold back investment by SMEs.
Richard Hyde argues that Gov't could have introduced a number of measures to help overcome these challenges.
EVs🔌
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social highlighted that #Budget2025 could, at worst, collapse the UK's EV market, depending on the rollout of the pay-per-mile tax on those vehicles.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social highlighted that #Budget2025 could, at worst, collapse the UK's EV market, depending on the rollout of the pay-per-mile tax on those vehicles.
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
EVs🔌
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social highlighted that #Budget2025 could, at worst, collapse the UK's EV market, depending on the rollout of the pay-per-mile tax on those vehicles.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social highlighted that #Budget2025 could, at worst, collapse the UK's EV market, depending on the rollout of the pay-per-mile tax on those vehicles.
Gov't decision on ECO🔋
Niamh O Regan highlighted that #Budget2025 risks squeezing the funding for the Warm Homes Plan, as the Gov't announced it was cutting the Energy Company Obligation.
Niamh O Regan highlighted that #Budget2025 risks squeezing the funding for the Warm Homes Plan, as the Gov't announced it was cutting the Energy Company Obligation.
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Gov't decision on ECO🔋
Niamh O Regan highlighted that #Budget2025 risks squeezing the funding for the Warm Homes Plan, as the Gov't announced it was cutting the Energy Company Obligation.
Niamh O Regan highlighted that #Budget2025 risks squeezing the funding for the Warm Homes Plan, as the Gov't announced it was cutting the Energy Company Obligation.
Reposted by Social Market Foundation
📕What happened in today's Budget?📕
Today the Chancellor has largely, as expected, looked to raise funds through incremental changes rather than bolder reforms.
A few notable points....
Today the Chancellor has largely, as expected, looked to raise funds through incremental changes rather than bolder reforms.
A few notable points....
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
📕What happened in today's Budget?📕
Today the Chancellor has largely, as expected, looked to raise funds through incremental changes rather than bolder reforms.
A few notable points....
Today the Chancellor has largely, as expected, looked to raise funds through incremental changes rather than bolder reforms.
A few notable points....
Education🎓
@danihpayne.bsky.social noted that whilst expanding maintenance grants to the lowest income students is welcome, #Budget2025 leaves unanswered questions.
@danihpayne.bsky.social noted that whilst expanding maintenance grants to the lowest income students is welcome, #Budget2025 leaves unanswered questions.
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Education🎓
@danihpayne.bsky.social noted that whilst expanding maintenance grants to the lowest income students is welcome, #Budget2025 leaves unanswered questions.
@danihpayne.bsky.social noted that whilst expanding maintenance grants to the lowest income students is welcome, #Budget2025 leaves unanswered questions.
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor has looked to raise funds through incremental changes - some of which we welcome, such as the raise in Remote Gaming Duty.
As @beckymontacute.bsky.social notes though, considerable challenges remain for Gov't.
As @beckymontacute.bsky.social notes though, considerable challenges remain for Gov't.
November 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor has looked to raise funds through incremental changes - some of which we welcome, such as the raise in Remote Gaming Duty.
As @beckymontacute.bsky.social notes though, considerable challenges remain for Gov't.
As @beckymontacute.bsky.social notes though, considerable challenges remain for Gov't.
AI🤖
Whilst there has been recent progress on strengthening AI, @sam-rob.bsky.social noted #Budget2025 needed to do more to make sure the tech's benefits are more widespread.
Whilst there has been recent progress on strengthening AI, @sam-rob.bsky.social noted #Budget2025 needed to do more to make sure the tech's benefits are more widespread.
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
AI🤖
Whilst there has been recent progress on strengthening AI, @sam-rob.bsky.social noted #Budget2025 needed to do more to make sure the tech's benefits are more widespread.
Whilst there has been recent progress on strengthening AI, @sam-rob.bsky.social noted #Budget2025 needed to do more to make sure the tech's benefits are more widespread.
Council Tax💷
The Chancellor has put a new tax onto properties worth more than £2 million, but as @jamiegollings.bsky.socialsays, this is a market-distorting fiddle to the creaking council tax system, rather than the bold reform it needs.
The Chancellor has put a new tax onto properties worth more than £2 million, but as @jamiegollings.bsky.socialsays, this is a market-distorting fiddle to the creaking council tax system, rather than the bold reform it needs.
November 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Council Tax💷
The Chancellor has put a new tax onto properties worth more than £2 million, but as @jamiegollings.bsky.socialsays, this is a market-distorting fiddle to the creaking council tax system, rather than the bold reform it needs.
The Chancellor has put a new tax onto properties worth more than £2 million, but as @jamiegollings.bsky.socialsays, this is a market-distorting fiddle to the creaking council tax system, rather than the bold reform it needs.
#Budget2025 has seen the Chancellor focus on fairness as well as growth.
As @theobertram.bsky.social outlines, there seems to have been a shift away from the 'decade of renewal'.
As @theobertram.bsky.social outlines, there seems to have been a shift away from the 'decade of renewal'.
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
#Budget2025 has seen the Chancellor focus on fairness as well as growth.
As @theobertram.bsky.social outlines, there seems to have been a shift away from the 'decade of renewal'.
As @theobertram.bsky.social outlines, there seems to have been a shift away from the 'decade of renewal'.
The SMF welcomes the overall increase in gambling tax and particularly the higher tax on the more harmful forms of gambling, such as online casinos.
We are pleased the government has listened to our case that the more harmful and addictive products should be taxed more highly.
We are pleased the government has listened to our case that the more harmful and addictive products should be taxed more highly.
November 26, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The SMF welcomes the overall increase in gambling tax and particularly the higher tax on the more harmful forms of gambling, such as online casinos.
We are pleased the government has listened to our case that the more harmful and addictive products should be taxed more highly.
We are pleased the government has listened to our case that the more harmful and addictive products should be taxed more highly.
Reposted by Social Market Foundation
"The Social Market Foundation (@smfthinktank.bsky.social) finds the UK retail landscape’s notices about risk amplify fears in the minds of people already predisposed to a methodical line over the zip up, zip down of the stock market"
www.ft.com/content/18d1...
www.ft.com/content/18d1...
Lessons from Japan’s investing drive for fellow cash-loving Britons
A national message about ‘asset building’ — and investing’s upside — has helped drive behaviour
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"The Social Market Foundation (@smfthinktank.bsky.social) finds the UK retail landscape’s notices about risk amplify fears in the minds of people already predisposed to a methodical line over the zip up, zip down of the stock market"
www.ft.com/content/18d1...
www.ft.com/content/18d1...
Reposted by Social Market Foundation
📕 It's (finally) Budget day 🧵
Some of what we'll be looking out for from the Chancellor later today:
🎰 GAMBLING: Maybe the only policy popular with the public, Labour MPs and the bond markets is to raise taxes on online gambling (as suggested by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)...
Some of what we'll be looking out for from the Chancellor later today:
🎰 GAMBLING: Maybe the only policy popular with the public, Labour MPs and the bond markets is to raise taxes on online gambling (as suggested by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)...
November 26, 2025 at 11:34 AM
📕 It's (finally) Budget day 🧵
Some of what we'll be looking out for from the Chancellor later today:
🎰 GAMBLING: Maybe the only policy popular with the public, Labour MPs and the bond markets is to raise taxes on online gambling (as suggested by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)...
Some of what we'll be looking out for from the Chancellor later today:
🎰 GAMBLING: Maybe the only policy popular with the public, Labour MPs and the bond markets is to raise taxes on online gambling (as suggested by @smfthinktank.bsky.social)...
Today the Chancellor will deliver #Budget2025 - and she faces a difficult task.
We think there's ways she can raise revenue without raising Income Tax - whilst beggining to deliver the change voters want.
Read our full pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
We think there's ways she can raise revenue without raising Income Tax - whilst beggining to deliver the change voters want.
Read our full pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today the Chancellor will deliver #Budget2025 - and she faces a difficult task.
We think there's ways she can raise revenue without raising Income Tax - whilst beggining to deliver the change voters want.
Read our full pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
We think there's ways she can raise revenue without raising Income Tax - whilst beggining to deliver the change voters want.
Read our full pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
The Triple Lock has done it's job.
But at a time of financial pressure, the Chancellor could replace it with a double lock in #Budget2025 - saving £2.6bn over the next five years, whilst protecting pensioners.
Read our pre-Budget briefing:
But at a time of financial pressure, the Chancellor could replace it with a double lock in #Budget2025 - saving £2.6bn over the next five years, whilst protecting pensioners.
Read our pre-Budget briefing:
The impossible Budget: Options and expectations for the Government's 'smorgasbord' - Social Market Foundation.
A series of measures that adhere to the need for fiscal discipline, whilst allowing the Government to set out an agenda for change
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The Triple Lock has done it's job.
But at a time of financial pressure, the Chancellor could replace it with a double lock in #Budget2025 - saving £2.6bn over the next five years, whilst protecting pensioners.
Read our pre-Budget briefing:
But at a time of financial pressure, the Chancellor could replace it with a double lock in #Budget2025 - saving £2.6bn over the next five years, whilst protecting pensioners.
Read our pre-Budget briefing:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could end the freeze on fuel duty - providing investment into improving our roads and air quality.
Read our thoughts on how the Gov't could end the freeze and make sure EV takeup is incentivised: buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Read our thoughts on how the Gov't could end the freeze and make sure EV takeup is incentivised: buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Will pay-per-mile raise Reeves money or drive people away from electric vehicles?
Need for new road taxes is clear – but there are concerns that pricing plan could stall transition away from petrol
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could end the freeze on fuel duty - providing investment into improving our roads and air quality.
Read our thoughts on how the Gov't could end the freeze and make sure EV takeup is incentivised: buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Read our thoughts on how the Gov't could end the freeze and make sure EV takeup is incentivised: buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Rough sleeping remains a persistent challenge.
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
Housing First: How to radically reduce rough sleeping this parliament
Some have argued that rough sleeping is unsolvable. The tried and tested Housing First model prooves this wrong.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Rough sleeping remains a persistent challenge.
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
Rough sleeping remains a persistent challenge.
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take concrete action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read our report on how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take concrete action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read our report on how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
Housing First: How to radically reduce rough sleeping this parliament
Some have argued that rough sleeping is unsolvable. The tried and tested Housing First model prooves this wrong.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Rough sleeping remains a persistent challenge.
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take concrete action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read our report on how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could take concrete action to tackle homelessness with a new Housing First scheme - that in the long run, would save taxpayers money.
Read our report on how to radically reduce rough sleeping:
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could go further to boost personal finances, by simplifying the ISA investment scheme - providing a boost to the UK economy.
Read our report on how to get Britain investing:
Read our report on how to get Britain investing:
A nation of small investors: Increasing the proportion of British households actively investing
Britain is a nation of investors - we just don't know it. Here's how government could boost personal finances, and grow the economy.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In #Budget2025, the Chancellor could go further to boost personal finances, by simplifying the ISA investment scheme - providing a boost to the UK economy.
Read our report on how to get Britain investing:
Read our report on how to get Britain investing:
Tomorrow's Budget presents an opportunity for the Government to raise much needed revenue, whilst taking action to tackle gambling harms.
That's why we're calling on the Chancellor to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
Read our latest report: buff.ly/OgxV7DJ
buff.ly/yJFDqJv
That's why we're calling on the Chancellor to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
Read our latest report: buff.ly/OgxV7DJ
buff.ly/yJFDqJv
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 25, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Tomorrow's Budget presents an opportunity for the Government to raise much needed revenue, whilst taking action to tackle gambling harms.
That's why we're calling on the Chancellor to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
Read our latest report: buff.ly/OgxV7DJ
buff.ly/yJFDqJv
That's why we're calling on the Chancellor to raise Remote Gambling Duty.
Read our latest report: buff.ly/OgxV7DJ
buff.ly/yJFDqJv
A sector is haunting Europe.
Questions persist in Whitehall around fuel duty, how to make sure EV takeup continues and making sure Gov't has the revenue to improve public transport and air quality.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social investigates in his latest blog:
buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Questions persist in Whitehall around fuel duty, how to make sure EV takeup continues and making sure Gov't has the revenue to improve public transport and air quality.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social investigates in his latest blog:
buff.ly/VW6WUbF
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
A sector is haunting Europe.
Questions persist in Whitehall around fuel duty, how to make sure EV takeup continues and making sure Gov't has the revenue to improve public transport and air quality.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social investigates in his latest blog:
buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Questions persist in Whitehall around fuel duty, how to make sure EV takeup continues and making sure Gov't has the revenue to improve public transport and air quality.
@gideonsalutin.bsky.social investigates in his latest blog:
buff.ly/VW6WUbF
Last week, @beckymontacute.bsky.social & @danihpayne.bsky.social attended the Sutton Trust's Higher Education Summit, where they spoke about how we can expand opportunity to everyone, no matter their background.
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Last week, @beckymontacute.bsky.social & @danihpayne.bsky.social attended the Sutton Trust's Higher Education Summit, where they spoke about how we can expand opportunity to everyone, no matter their background.
The Chancellor is in an unenviable position.
Can she be fiscally prudent whilst signalling Labour can offer change?
Read the SMFs pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
Can she be fiscally prudent whilst signalling Labour can offer change?
Read the SMFs pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
November 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Chancellor is in an unenviable position.
Can she be fiscally prudent whilst signalling Labour can offer change?
Read the SMFs pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
Can she be fiscally prudent whilst signalling Labour can offer change?
Read the SMFs pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
The Chancellor is in an unenviable position.
But can she raise revenue without increasing income tax?
Read the SMF's pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
But can she raise revenue without increasing income tax?
Read the SMF's pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
November 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Chancellor is in an unenviable position.
But can she raise revenue without increasing income tax?
Read the SMF's pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
But can she raise revenue without increasing income tax?
Read the SMF's pre-Budget briefing:
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
The nation is waiting in anticipation of the Chancellor's Budget next Wednesday
But what should she do to balance the books, and also signal that Labour is ready to deliver change?
Read our proposals for next week's Budget👇
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
But what should she do to balance the books, and also signal that Labour is ready to deliver change?
Read our proposals for next week's Budget👇
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
November 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The nation is waiting in anticipation of the Chancellor's Budget next Wednesday
But what should she do to balance the books, and also signal that Labour is ready to deliver change?
Read our proposals for next week's Budget👇
buff.ly/wZb1S7a
But what should she do to balance the books, and also signal that Labour is ready to deliver change?
Read our proposals for next week's Budget👇
buff.ly/wZb1S7a