The costs of creation
This report from UK think tank Demos looks at what is a fair and desirable future for monetised online work and volunteering? There is growing awareness that the web comes at a cost, be that from the selling of our personal data, to proliferating paywalls. The wider social costs are becoming clearer too, from the...
On the money
This report from UK think tank the Centre for Social Justice looks at a roadmap for lifelong financial learning. At the time of writing, the public’s number one concern is the rising cost of living. And rightly so. Soaring prices in energy, food and fuel have led to the largest squeeze on incomes since the...
Financial services and net zero
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at linking investor returns to the Government's net zero targets. Reaching net zero means up-front costs that need public finance. That’s an opportunity for governments to think creatively. In our latest briefing, Scott Corfe and Dr. Raúl C Rosales urge the UK government to...
Banking on change
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at expanding the role of banks and building societies in supporting financial resilience. The pandemic has exacerbated existing financial inequalities in the UK and weakened financial resilience, especially among the most vulnerable people. This briefing explores the role of the retail banking sector in...
Under pressure
This report from UK think tank Resolution Foundation looks at managing fiscal pressures in the 2020s. The 2020s are set to be a decade in which the spending pressures from ageing intensify, healthcare costs continue to rise, and the state needs to invest more to drive a rapid transition to net zero. These trends will...
How would an independent Scotland borrow?
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how borrowing on international markets would affect an independent Scotland’s monetary policy. This report, published alongside a second paper on currency options for an independent Scotland, sets out how currency choice and needing to borrow from international markets would affect an independent Scotland’s...
Currency options for an independent Scotland
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the currency choice for a newly independent Scotland. Any currency choice for a newly independent Scotland would require its government to bring borrowing down to a sustainable level and commit to low and stable inflation. This report, published alongside a second paper on...
Tax and spending questions facing the government in autumn 2021
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government assesses the public finance forecasts and what these might mean for the multi-year spending review. Numerous spending pressures on government mean Rishi Sunak will face a difficult balancing act this autumn. Remaining committed to the letter of “the perverse” state pensions triple-lock will increase pressure...