As @alexballingermp.bsky.social says, our proposals for a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines help to tackle gambling harm, whilst protecting hospitality and pubs. Read the full report buff.ly/JleqwH4

Our proposals to raise taxes on Category B slot machines are supported across the political spectrum. More than 40% of voters from each of the five major parties back the policy - and more back a tax rise than cut in every case. Read the report ⬇️ buff.ly/JleqwH4

Responding to @chriswebbmp.bsky.social, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was "struck" by our findings on misinformation in the Makerfield by-election. We're pleased the newly announced Local Media Plan is only the 'start' of the Government's ambitions for local news. Watch the exchange 👇

As AI reshapes recruitment, entry-level hiring becomes less profitable. Instead of letting it worsen the youth unemployment crisis, policy should make entry-level hiring cheaper by extending the employer NI exemption to age 25, KCL's Jacob Schaal explores in new blog 👇 www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Our latest report proposes a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines. It would raise revenue from machines most linked to gambling harm while shifting spending towards sectors such as hospitality that create more jobs and tax revenue. buff.ly/JleqwH4

We think there should be a targeted approach to tackle gambling harm and raise revenue – which is why our most recent report protects the low risk slot machines found in hospitality entirely. buff.ly/JleqwH4

With the UK set to ban social media for under-16s, tech companies should view the UK's announcement as a tipping point. 📖Read @theobertram.bsky.social in @theguardian.com buff.ly/H1DzXpI

Pleased to have today launched a new paper arguing for higher taxes on the most harmful slot machines. The paper, Addressing the harm, shows strong public support for reform and estimates £250–£450m could be raised by hiking MGD on high-harm machines, often concentrated in deprived high streets.

Our latest report shows 42% of the public support raising tax on the most harmful slot machines - potentially boosting public finances by as much as £450 million. Read the full write-up by @byrobdavies.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇️

Category B slot machines cause higher levels of gambling harm, and are more disproportionately found in AGCs. We believe we should raise taxes on them to boost public finances – and reduce gambling harm. Read the full research buff.ly/JleqwH4

With @survation.bsky.social, we found 43% of adults support higher taxes on slot machines in betting shops, compared with just 11% who want them cut. Read the research ⬇️ buff.ly/JleqwH4

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 Government finances are tight – but what if there was a tax rise that was both popular and could reduce gambling harm? Our proposals on Machine Gaming Duty could raise up to £450m. Read the report ⬇️ www.smf.co.uk/publications...

🚨EVENT TOMORROW🚨 Join our panel as we discuss reforms to Machine Gaming Duty to further tackle gambling harm. @theobertram.bsky.social @alexballingermp.bsky.social Prof Henrietta Bowden-Jones @gideonsalutin.bsky.social RSVP here: buff.ly/v8BLADZ

🚨 EVENT NEXT WEEK 🚨 We'll be discussing reforms to Machine Gaming Duty to further tackle gambling harm. @theobertram.bsky.social @alexballingermp.bsky.social Prof Henrietta Bowden-Jones @gideonsalutin.bsky.social RSVP here: buff.ly/v8BLADZ

Our Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social was on the World at One earlier today to discuss home overheating -

UK ranks lowest in the G7 on robot density. Meanwhile, South Korea has 800% more robots per manufacturing worker than us. With the case for reindustrialisation rising in the political agenda, SMF's Richard Hyde explores why investing in industrial robots is key. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Miss the recent event discussing our report with the @suttontrust.bsky.social on School-Based nurseries? Watch it online here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybIY...

Join us next Tuesday as we discuss reforms to Machine Gaming Duty to further tackle gambling harm. @theobertram.bsky.social @alexballingermp.bsky.social Prof Henrietta Bowden-Jones @gideonsalutin.bsky.social RSVP here: buff.ly/v8BLADZ

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, and 92% of homes could be at risk of overheating by 2050. We've explored the impacts of overheating and what policymakers can do to keep people safe. Read more 👇️ www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

People from lower socio-economic backgrounds are under-represented in think tanks. This amazing opportunity (which am proud to say the @smfthinktank.bsky.social is one of the host orgs for this year) is looking to change that. A genuinely entry level role... www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

Join our panel on 30th June as we discuss reforms to Machine Gaming Duty to further tackle gambling harm. @theobertram.bsky.social @alexballingermp.bsky.social Prof Henrietta Bowden-Jones @gideonsalutin.bsky.social RSVP here: buff.ly/v8BLADZ

If you're looking for any POLICY insights into Andy Burnham, you could do a lot worse than check out this fab tracker from @smfthinktank.bsky.social

📢 NEW ENTY-LEVEL OPPORTUNITY 📢 This is a genuinely entry-level opportunity to work in the think tank sector, for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We're proud to be part of this year's Policy Futures Programme, recruiting a Trainee Researcher. Apply ⬇️ www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

Last year, the Chancellor increased duties on some of the most harmful gambling products – but not Machine Gaming Duty. Join our upcoming event to explore why, and hear new research on the harms of high-risk gaming machines. RSVP 👇️ buff.ly/v8BLADZ

Join this afternoon for a discussion of our recent report on School-Based Nurseries with @suttontrust.bsky.social - with a focus on learnings for schools and early years settings - from those looking to set up an SBN, to any early years settings or schools looking to build relationships locally ⬇️

Social media platforms must act against scammers chasing cash who erode public trust with their AI-generated confrontations and ‘breaking news’ clips. Read @theobertram.bsky.social's column in The Times: thetimes.com/comment/colu...

👉'News deserts' have nearly 3 times the average rate of fake news on Facebook groups. 👉Places with a higher number of local news outlets have half the average rate of misinformation Two key findings from @smfthinktank.bsky.social www.smf.co.uk/publications... #LocalNewsMatters #StandUpForJournalism

With the polls in the #Makerfield by-election open in less than 24 hours, we uncovered the extent of fake news on local Facebook groups aimed at senior Labour figures. 📽️ Watch @theobertram.bsky.social set out some of the key examples on BBC Radio 4 Today 👇

The #assisteddying bill is returning to parliament, and there's a lot that's right about it. But as policymakers look at strengthening guardrails, check out @gideonsalutin.bsky.social's briefing on ways to create an accessible and secure procedure by learning from similar policies abroad.

🚨NEW EVENT🚨 On the 30th June, we'll discuss reforms to Machine Gaming Duty in the context of the rapid expansion of Adult Gaming Centres and high-stakes gaming machines on the UK’s high streets. RSVP below👇️ buff.ly/v8BLADZ

We need to keep pushing for more regulations for social media companies that profit from misinformation.

Nearly 1 in 6 pieces of news shared in local Facebook groups during the Makerfied campaign has been false, with misinformation heavily targeting Labour and its candidate Andy Burnham, our new research has found. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Join later this week for a discussion of our recent report on School-Based Nurseries with the @suttontrust.bsky.social - with a focus on learnings for schools and early years settings - from those looking to set up an SBN themselves, to any settings looking to build positive relationships locally:

It has been an absolute mega week at the @smfthinktank.bsky.social - two major reports alongside several events, a quick rundown of everything we've been up to this week 🧵

Where local news provision is weak, misinformation is more likely to take hold. That’s why we’re calling for action so everyone can access impartial & factual news. Read our latest report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly sponsored by the BBC

Earlier this week, we discussed findings from our recent report on family food insecurity and childhood hunger - 'Growing up hungry: Measuring UK child food insecurity in 2026' A big thank you to our speakers, including @chriswebbmp.bsky.social and Sumi Rabindrakumar from @trusselluk.bsky.social.

For younger people, there is a sense Britain’s social contract is broken. Earlier this week our new report outlined a solution. Our ‘Citizens Advance’ would allow young people to swap a year of their state pension for £12,500 in cash today. Read more: www.smf.co.uk/publications...

🚨 OUT NOW 🚨 Can local news stop social media misinformation? 🗞️ @jamiegollings.bsky.social of the SMF, former Tory minister John Penrose, & News Media Association's Theo Bamber join @alaintolhurst.bsky.social to discuss what government can do to harness local journalism 🎧 Listen: pod.fo/e/42eabd

For #socialmobilityday I've written about socio-economic access in the think tank sector, as well as what the @smfthinktank.bsky.social is doing to help break down barriers (but, as with much of the sector, we still have work to do!)

Education and social mobility is a key part of our work. Take a look at some of the findings from our research below ⬇️ #socialmobilityday

Our latest report shows misinformation is spreading rapidly online. As more people rely on social media for news, false information can shape opinions and even potentially influence votes. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly supported by the BBC

25% of think tank senior leaders attended private school, compared to just 7% of the general population (@suttontrust.bsky.social). Today for #socialmobilityday, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social discusses the need to tackle access barriers - www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

New report from @smfthinktank.bsky.social explores child food insecurity in the UK. TCRU’s Fair Food Futures project contributes evidence on why responses need local coordination, community food support and wider advice beyond food provision. More about the project: bit.ly/3S1y1DQ @ioe.bsky.social

Britain is facing a crisis of opportunity - and Government should consider radical, fiscally credible ideas to restore the social contract for young people. We believe our proposal for a Citizens Advance is one of these ideas. Read more about it below👇️ buff.ly/EhBD5uV

Our latest report shows online misinformation was a feature of recent local elections. With almost half of people using social media for local news, the risks are growing. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly sponsored by the BBC

Coverage in the Guardian of the @smfthinktank.bsky.social research on misinformation in local social media groups - with misinfo more common in areas with no or limited local news outlets (research by @jamiegollings.bsky.social and Niamh O Regan) ⬇️ www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...

More of us get our news from social media than ever before. Our latest report explores how misinformation online can distort public debate, with potential impacts on elections – especially at the local level. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly supported by the BBC

🚨 EVENT TOMORROW 🚨 Join us on Wednesday as we discuss our latest report, uncovering the state of food insecurity in Britain. RSVP here 👇️ buff.ly/wwwNuyp Kindly sponsored by Deliveroo

Analysis of over 125k social media posts reveals the extent of misinformation on Facebook, X and Nextdoor. Full report from @smfthinktank.bsky.social here - www.smf.co.uk/publications...

This morning's @smfthinktank.bsky.social event just kicking off on local misinformation (a recording will be going up on YouTube later on for anyone who has missed this morning)