SMF Director James Kirkup sits with Professor Roger Awan-Scully, Head of Politics and International Relations of Cardiff University for an election special podcast, as they discuss whether the UK’s two-party system will survive into 2020.Professor Roger Awan-Scully will take us across the devolved nations and discuss how the fragmentation of party …

Given that building a low-carbon society and tackling climate change may feel like an insurmountable challenge to many people, how can policymakers respond to encourage individuals to make their lifestyles sustainable? In this episode, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh of Cardiff University outlines recent research into carefully-considered policies tha…

There are almost 1.3 million carers in England and Wales who are aged 65 and over. Figures from Carers UK indicate that the numbers in this age group are increasing more rapidly than the general population of carers. Research Director Scott Corfe speaks with Professor Sue Yeandle, Professor of Sociology and Director of CIRCLE, University of Sheffie…

James Kirkup and Scott Corfe discuss a new report from the SMF on the case for reforming the UK's alcohol duty system. Changes to alcohol duty could discourage harmful drinking and target irrationally cheap high-strength products. Key lessons for policymakers include proposing a "duty strength escalator" to encourage the production of lower strengt…

New analysis shows coastal communities are falling even further behind the rest of the country. Not only do inhabitants earn on average close to £5,000 less per year than those living elsewhere, but they are also living shorter lives. SMF Director James Kirkup sits with Head of Research Scott Corfe to discuss why this is happening and what can be d…

With a new Prime Minister about to step behind the door of No. 10, is the time ripe for a new approach to housing in the UK? In this talk, SMF Director James Kirkup sits with Professor Christine Whitehead, Emeritus Professor of Housing Economics at the LSE and Jeffrey Matsu, Co-investigator, CaCHE; Senior Economist at RICS…

Director James Kirkup sits with the SMF's Migration Researcher Jonathan Thomas to talk about lessons from recent history to illuminate the potential consequences of the UK Government’s proposed future immigration system in the UK. Key lessons for policymakers include a post-Brexit Britain having to grapple more seriously with the consequences of ir…

With suicide being the leading cause of death among men under 50 in England and Wales, there has rightly, in recent years, been a rising awareness of mental health issues that affect young men and boys. In this episode, James sits with Professor Ann John, Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry, Swansea University to discuss this topic - how can …

In the fourth episode of SMF's new Ask the Expert podcast series, James is joined by Professor Jim Watson, Director of the UK Energy Research Centre. They explore how to continue to reduce emissions whilst paying more attention to the fair distribution of costs and benefits.Von Social Market Foundation

In this talk, Dr Longhi gives an overview of ethnic pay gaps in the UK and discusses the possible reasons for the observed differences. Particular attention will be paid to what the analysis of average pay gaps can and cannot reveal.Von Social Market Foundation

This talk with Dr Lucy Mayblin, Senior Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Sheffield, will explore the main reason given by successive governments for these restrictions on the economic rights and entitlements of asylum seekers: that they act as pull factors for disingenuous applicants. What is the evidence to support this claim and do econo…

In the first of our new Ask the Expert podcast series, we are joined by Professor Adam Cygan, lecturer in EU law at the University of Leicester and Brexit lead researcher on Parties, Parliament and the Brexit Process at The UK in a Changing Europe.Von Social Market Foundation