This report from UK think tank IPPR considers how to work towards a better and more comprehensive fiscal framework. The new Labour government’s growth mission is to make the UK the fastest growing economy in the G7. But growth is low, and UK is at the bottom of the G7 for investment, and the plans...

This report from UK think tank HEPI considers the recent history of student finance in England before proposing a 10-point plan for fixing some current weaknesses. Tim Leunig lays out the shortcomings of the current higher education funding model in England and proposes a 10-point action plan to fix the system for the benefit of...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at improving accountability in government procurement. The Procurement Act, brought in under the previous government and effective from February 2025, will bring in a new public sector procurement regime. Simplified regulations, greater transparency and enhanced exclusion criteria could all help improve accountability. But there...

This report from UK think tank City-REDI seeks to provide local governments with the evidence to make better policy decisions. There is increasing concern about the financial viability of some local authorities with estimates by the Local Government Association (LGA) suggesting that councils in England are facing a funding gap of £4 billion. Councils have...

This report from UK think tank IIED offers a comprehensive step-by-step guide to quantifying and valuing economic and non-economic loss and damage. Across the world, climate impacts such as extreme heat and floods are destroying lives, livestock and property. Loss and damage occurs when the capacities of affected communities and countries are compromised to the...

This report from UK think tank RUSI outlines proliferation finance activity tied to the casino and gaming sector that authorities should analyse as part of their national risk assessment process. Criminal actors exploit under-regulated aspects of the casino and gaming sector to launder and move illicit assets across jurisdictions. This threat is further compounded by...

This report from UK think tank Pro Bono Economics looks at the potential of better philanthropy advice. Tens of thousands of charities, and an even greater number of community groups and social enterprises, have spent decades dedicated to getting people into good work, providing opportunities to young people, reducing crime, improving health, and saving the...

This report from UK think tank RUSI assesses whether the updated Financial Action Task Force recommendations address weaknesses in asset recovery responses. This Policy Brief assesses the question of whether the updated Financial Action Task Force Recommendations 4 and 38 address weaknesses in asset recovery responses. Asset recovery is the process by which the proceeds...

This report from UK think tank The David Hulme Institute examines the impact of the great risk transfer on individuals and society through the changing relationship between employer and employees. This latest research which investigates the Great Risk Transfer and the changed relationship between employment and financial wellbeing, published in partnership with the Institute and...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at market-based reforms to the UK's economic sanctions regime. The UK’s current sanctions regime is dysfunctional, as exemplified by the failure to place meaningful pressure on Russia to abandon its invasion of Ukraine. The intent of these sanctions was to damage the Russian economy...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute considers potential next steps for the UK’s sanctions strategy. This paper considers potential next steps for the UK’s sanctions strategy, drawing on the academic literature and the growing evidence base to suggest what an “Economic Sanctions Strategy 2.0” might look like. In doing so, it...

This report from UK think tank RUSI draws on underexploited source material to offer an overview of North Korea’s procurement networks over the past five years. This paper analyses North Korea’s procurement networks, particularly in view of North Korea’s programmatic successes and recent geopolitical shifts in Russia’s relationship with North Korea as a result of...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government says that Labour's missions need a reformed spending review process. The approach taken in recent spending reviews is not up to the job of achieving Labour’s missions. This report shows how the existing process fails to align government spending with strategic priorities and long-term value...

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs provides a list and numerical count of regulatory measures across the six largest parties by vote share. The general election campaign has focused on tax and spending promises, with much less attention paid to proposed regulatory measures. Regulations often have well-intentioned goals, including protecting...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government reveals the impact of the UK’s historically low – and badly spent – capital budgets. Crumbling buildings, creaking IT and a lack of equipment will continue to seriously hamper public service performance unless the next government takes a new approach to capital spending. This report,...