Is data sharing the key to tackling organised crime? Dr Chris Allen, of the Centre for the Study of Organised Crime, outlines data harmonisation solutions that could help keep us safer. Read Chris' blog: buff.ly/XaXj3Vy

First Social Market Foundation event of party conference season - Working smarter, how can AI deliver productivity for all? #LDconf

We’re taking part in @smfthinktank.bsky.social's panel "Ending the postcode lottery: how policymakers can address health inequalities across the country" at Liberal Democrat Party Conference this afternoon! 💛🌻 Don't forget to drop by - details here: www.smf.co.uk/party_confer...

We're looking forward to our events at Liberal Democrat conference tomorrow, bringing pressing policy questions directly to politicians on: 🏥Ending the health postcode lottery 🤖How we can use AI to increase productivity We hope you'll be able to join us! Sponsored by Google & Policy@Manchester

In our first in a series of blogs ahead of Party Conferences, @OllyGloverLD @ollyglover.bsky.social Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, reflects on the last year for the Liberal Democrats since the General Election, and what we can expect from the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference.

What does Donald Trump & Keir Starmer's tech deal mean for the UK? 📻On @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, SMF Head of AI @sam-rob.bsky.social sets out the benefits of the UK-USA tech deal - and where Gov't needs to go further to make sure we all benefit.

🚨NEW EVENT🚨 At Labour Party Conference, we'll be discussing how to end the health postcode lottery, so everyone can live a long and healthy life. With Dr Arpana Verma, John Maingay @TheBHF & @claremoriarty.bsky.social View our full events programme: buff.ly/DaybV89 Sponsored by @UoMPolicy

🚨NEW EVENT 🚨 At Labour Party Conference, we'll be discussing: is a Citizens Advance the state alternative to the bank of Mum and Dad? We'll be joined by @andrewlewin.bsky.social, @jeevunsandher.bsky.social, and the SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social. See our full events programme: buff.ly/lkQAlGo

On the first day of Donald Trump's state visit, the UK and US has announced agreement on a long-awaited tech deal. As the SMF's Head of AI @sam-rob.bsky.social says, this is welcome - but must now deliver clear economic and strategic benefits for the UK. Read Sam's earlier work: buff.ly/PO682Kf

AI has transformative potential - but can it deliver benefits for all of us? We'll be discussing this at Liberal Democrat party conference, with @iansollom.bsky.social, Michaela Neild & @vinousali.bsky.social See our full events programme: buff.ly/lkQAlGo Kindly sponsored by Google

At Labour Party Conference, we're delighted that Business Secretary @peterkyle.bsky.social will be In Conversation with the SMF's Director, @theobetram.bsky.social. See our full Conference programme: buff.ly/lkQAlGo

No matter where you live, everyone in the UK deserves to live a long and healthy life. We'll be bringing this topic directly to politicians and experts at the Liberal Democrat conference on our panel, discussing how to end the health postcode lottery. See our full events schedule buff.ly/lkQAlGo

When did Government stop caring about rough sleeping? In his latest briefing, @gideonsalutin.bsky.social argues for a proven approach that cuts homelessness and generates nearly £200m in net fiscal benefits. 💡 🧵What is it—and does it work?

Great to see Teesside set to be confirmed as an 'AI Growth Zone'. In a previous report, How to Power AI, we highlighted the importance of tackling challenges facing the UK's AI compute capacity. Read the report👇 buff.ly/PO682Kf

A huge thank you to all those who attended, watched and spoke at yesterday's Pensions Conference, kindly supported by M&G. You can watch the full event here: buff.ly/wkdBhvN Here's some of our highlights 👇

People have lost faith that traditional politics can deliver. With the centre faltering, this is exactly when new ideas are needed most.   ✍️Read @beckymontacute.bsky.social's first blog as our Research Director.👇 buff.ly/W6tREhK

Labour's Deputy Leadership contest is speeding up - but what are the implications for the party's - and the Government's - future? 📽️Watch @theobertram.bsky.social speaking to @channel4news.bsky.social

Britain's new Home Secretary is one of Labour's rising stars - but will her lack of experience in her complex portfolio mean she struggles with tackling Gov'ts most complex brief? Read our latest blog👇

There's just one day to go until our Pensions Conference - bringing experts together to discuss one of the biggest issues in the UK. With keynote speaker, Minister of Pensions Torsten Bell. Haven't got your ticket? Sign up below👇 buff.ly/cNLAaR4 With thanks to our partners at M&G Investments

Who you are and where you come from can make a big difference to your health🏥 That's why we'll to be discussing the importance of tackling health inequalities at Party Conferences, in partnership with Policy@Manchester 📽️ Watch SMF Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social explain more

Only two days to go until the SMF's first Pensions Conference, with keynote speaker Minister of Pensions, Torsten Bell. Sign up below👇 buff.ly/cNLAaR4

Using AI tools such as ChatGPT can lead to weaker neural activity as well as poorer critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning and even collaboration skills. My @smfthinktank.bsky.social report on the risks posed by AI in education is out now: bit.ly/4g7EKUR

Britain has a new Home Secretary - and Shabana Mahmood has been tasked with talking and acting tough on immigration. In his latest blog, @jtmigratory.bsky.social asks what Mahmood can do compared to her predecessor - and whether this is about real experience, or just a changing of narrative.

Everyone, no matter where they live, deserves to have a long, healthy life. We're delighted to be discussing how to address this at Liberal Democrat Party Conference, with Andrew George MP, Prof Arpana Verma and Alex Kenney. Kindly sponsored by Policy@Manchester

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT promise big benefits for schools and colleges? ...but could they actually harm learning? Education expert and Senior Fellow @tom-richmond.com explores emerging research evidence on the impacts of GenAI tools on learning 👇🧵

Research has shown that the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT can lead to poorer critical thinking, problem solving and reasoning skills among its users. Read my new report with @smfthinktank.bsky.social on the risks posed by AI in education: bit.ly/4g7EKUR

As the internet becomes more ever more complex, we're delighted to be joined by Peter Kyle, in conversation with @theobertram.bsky.social Theo Bertram at 2025 Labour Party Conference. RSVP to [email protected]

Assisted Voluntary Returns was central to Reform’s migration pitch last week — but the SMF has made the case since 2019. AVR is key to a fairer, more effective system.🤝 ✍️@jkirkup.bsky.social in The Spectator: buff.ly/OjUiDTL 📚@jtmigratory.bsky.social research: buff.ly/6GxKCfN

England and Wales’ fertility rate has hit a record low for the third year running.📉 @beckymontacute.bsky.social spoke to @theguardian.com about the economic risks of a shrinking population.💷 ✍️Article: buff.ly/mNP3Cm6 📚Social Market Foundation research: buff.ly/DsHa7OV

From the @smfthinktank.bsky.social

📢 As Parliament returns, we're getting closer to our Pensions Conference on Wednesday 10 September. With Pensions Minister @torstenbell.bsky.social. Join policymakers, experts & stakeholders to discuss the UK's pensions landscape . 👉 Register: buff.ly/cNLAaR4

Summer recess may be over, but there is some good news - Wonk Week is back!🥳 Keep your eyes peeled on Monday for all the latest news from the policy world, straight into your inbox.📧 Don't want to miss out? Sign up below: buff.ly/xS3V1uU

The Incredibles Nigel Farage's plan to tackle illegal immigration has the government on the ropes, how can it respond? For @smfthinktank.bsky.social www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Nigel Farage has outlined his plan to tackle illegal immigration Can the incredible really sound so credible? And how could the government seize back the initiative? ✍️@jtmigratory.bsky.social investigates in his latest blog.

The SMF is back for the 2025 Party Conference season!🎉 As a proudly cross-party think tank, we're delighted to be in Bournemouth, Liverpool and Manchester for the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative conferences. Check out our full conference programme: buff.ly/b99GHEl

As rumours of a reshuffle abound, we take a look at the history of frontbench churn and reshuffles. Can historical trends tell us anything about how Starmer might approach a potential reshuffle? SMF's @jamiegollings.bsky.social takes a deep dive. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Our Miro Griffiths was interviewed for @smfthinktank.bsky.social's Ask the Expert: Miro Griffiths on disability politics www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

📝 In his latest SMF blog, Senior Fellow Stuart Hudson sets out his thoughts on how Gov’t can balance the interests of consumers & investors — meeting manifesto pledges to 📈 boost growth while protecting workers. Read more 👉 buff.ly/9XIoJVl

Our analysis shows a deeply worrying trend of increases in physical and verbal assaults in cases of retail theft.⬆️ That's why we're calling on Gov't to set out long-term, sustainable measures to tackle this issue.🚓 Read more👉https://buff.ly/zJY3BKq

In Jake Shepherd's latest Ask the Expert interview, Miro Griffiths discusses disability politics in the UK. From welfare reform to assisted dying, he shows why the voices of vulnerable people must be central to policymaking. Read more 👉 buff.ly/DUfPmY1

📣On @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, SMF Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social explained why Gov't and society acting on child poverty can lead to better exam results📚 Read the SMF's full analysis of L2 Results Day: buff.ly/2LKQeDS

📢 The SMF is delighted to host its inaugural Pensions Conference on Wednesday 10 September. With Pensions Minister @torstenbell.bsky.social. Join policymakers, experts & stakeholders to discuss the UK's pensions landscape . 👉 Register: buff.ly/qwd5uZ5

📻 On @listentotimesradio.bsky.social, SMF Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social stressed that boosting opportunities in left-behind communities is key to raising attainment for disadvantaged kids. 📊 Read our full analysis of this week’s GCSE results 👉 buff.ly/9At0Pny

🧵SMF analysis of #GCSEResultsDay2025 Regional inequalities in attainment persist: 🟡72% of GCSEs taken by London pupils were graded at 4/C or above, vs just 63% in the West Midlands 🟡 London benefits from the highest % of grade 7s+ - while the North East has the lowest

#ResultsDay2025 📻ICYMI, Research Director @beckymontacute.bsky.social speaking to @tomswarbrick.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk this morning 👇"...throughout their time at school, those gaps between the richest and poorest widen as they go through the school system and into the workplace."

🎉SMF's Party Conference Programme is LIVE🎉 Join us in Liverpool, Manchester and Bournemouth, as we host a wide-ranging programme of events with ministers, MPs & leading thinkers. Learn more: smf.co.uk/party_confer...

Head of Education and Social Mobility @danihpayne.bsky.social on the @telegraphnews.bsky.social's front page today With top unis accepting record amounts of applicants, she warned that it could result in overcrowding... ...while lower-ranking institutions ultimately lose out.

We've seen a very big increase in acceptances at high tariff universities - likely to fill gaps in their budgets (with big Qs of what that will mean for the student experience) - but lower tariff universities just can't do the same - this isn't a sustainable situation.

This chart from @smfthinktank.bsky.social shows the problem. The most selective unis are hoovering up students to manage their finances, leaving others at risk of closure. The market needs managing.

SMF analysis of Level 3 #ResultsDay2025 Regional divides widen and gaps between students from the most & least deprived areas persist, amidst record results. 👇Education experts @danihpayne.bsky.social and @beckymontacute.bsky.social breakdown the data www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...