Policy area: Business

Reports

Unpaid and underpaid internships

This report from UK think tank The Sutton Trust provides an updated picture of the graduate internship market. Internships have grown to become a crucial part of the graduate job market. Offering graduates an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and build their networks, they can be formative experiences for those trying...

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Saving apprenticeships

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation outlines strategies for creating a skills system that adequately encourages genuine apprenticeships. In this report, Baroness Alison Wolf calls for the new Growth and Skills Levy to focus on young people, have greater local involvement, and distinguish between apprenticeships and workplace upskilling. The current system...

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How should regulators balance competition, economic growth and other political priorities?

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation explores whether there is a trade-off and, if so, how the tensions can be resolved. Some business leaders fear competition policy and regulation are jeopardising the government’s economic growth mission. Former CMA Strategy Director and Downing Street Special Adviser Stuart Hudson explores whether there is...

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Navigating clean energy industries and rivalry in decarbonisation

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at navigating clean energy industries and rivalry in decarbonisation. In this research paper, Dan Marks and James Henderson address a series of questions, including how to ensure the security of production networks while simultaneously decarbonising rapidly and affordably, promoting innovation and maximising local economic benefits. They argue...

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Department stories

This report from UK think tank Power to Change looks at how communities are reimagining a national institution. Once a destination for generations of shoppers, department stores are on the decline. There’s been an 85% decrease in the number of department stores on Britain’s high streets over the past decade, with many well-known brands leaving...

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Stemming the tide: Healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity

This report from UK think tank the Work Foundation aims to provide policy direction for how Government and employers can work together to help retain more people. The new Government has set an ambitious target to raise the employment rate to 80% – which would represent an increase of approximately 2.4 million more people in...

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Why a circular economy is good for people

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance outlines five reasons why a circular economy is good for people. In a circular economy materials are kept in use for as long as possible, reducing the need for new resources and minimising environmental impacts from extraction to disposal. This approach not only benefits the environment but...

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Spending time: The role of the visitor economy in UK cities

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities provides a comprehensive picture of domestic visitor spending across the UK. This report provides a comprehensive picture of domestic visitor spending across the UK’s 63 largest cities for the first time, and sets out the ‘visitor offer’ in each place and how that compares nationally.

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Why a circular economy is good for business

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance outlines five reasons why a circular economy is good for business. In a circular economy materials are kept in use for as long as possible, reducing the need for new resources and minimising environmental impacts from extraction to disposal. This approach not only benefits the environment but...

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Birmingham economic review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the economy of England’s second city and a high-quality resource for informing research, policy and investment decisions. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of England’s second city and a...

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Two million jobs

This report from UK think tank the Jobs Foundation looks at how business plays a crucial role in helping people from welfare into work. After almost a year of work, interviewing hundreds of businesses and community leaders across Great Britain, the Jobs Foundation was delighted to launch its foundational research – a report entitled Two...

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Inclusive and sustainable local economic performance evidence review

This report from UK think tank City-REDI aims to inform the development of inclusive and sustainable local economic partnerships. This evidence review summarises key policies and research related to inclusive and sustainable local economic performance, focusing on strengthening economic development partnerships within place. It examines inclusive and sustainable local economic performance, national and local policies,...

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Mission Critical 02: Governing in partnership with business and trade unions

This report from UK think tank Future Governance Forum outlines five crucial steps government can take to embed business and union insight and expertise in policy design and delivery. Business and trade unions lie at the heart of the government’s recently unveiled Industrial Strategy, and are set to play an equally pivotal role in delivering...

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A capital idea?

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines a change of approach to helping small firms to increase their investment. SMEs will have a key role in closing the UK’s investment gap with other economies. However, to ensure that SMEs can make such a contribution, a more strategic policy approach towards SME...

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Farewell Non-Doms

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at how non-dom reforms can damage Britain’s finances. A new paper from the Adam Smith Institute (ASI), entitled Farewell Non-Doms: How Non-Dom reforms can damage Britain's finances, reveals the economic cost of scrapping the non-dom status. Its research suggests that if this policy was...

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Related Events

12 February 2025

Location: Adam Smith Institute, 23 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3DJ

Think tank: Adam Smith Institute

Attracting foreign direct investment

At this event hosted by UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute and Lord Harrington will discuss the intersection between domestic and international economics. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is the international purchase of assets. Capital from other countries gets invested by multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals into Britain, as they look to do business here....

14 February 2025

Location: Online

Think tank: National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)

Winter 2025 economic forum

This event hosted by UK think tank the National Institute of Economic and Social Research will discuss future economic prospects. After the election of a new government in July 2024 with a mandate of ‘change’ and the promise of higher economic growth, what is the outlook for the UK economy seven months on from the...