How could government give hope to young people? Our proposal Citizens Advance would put money in their pockets today: allowing young people the chance to take the first year of their state pension as a lump sum (about £12,500) now. An inheritance for everyone, not just those born into wealth.

📢 We're hiring an Events Officer! Want to organise high-profile discussions with leading policymakers, experts and politicians? Join the SMF and help deliver our programme of in-person, online and hybrid events. Learn more & apply: www.smf.co.uk/new-opportun...

Our report warns at frontline services are likely to be missing opportunities to catch gambling related harms. With action from national and local government, gambling harms can be tackled consistently across the UK. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

Local Councils have responsibilities on public health – but approaches to tackling gambling harm vary. Our report shows Greater Manchester Combined Authority as an example of a long-term, public health focused approach. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

While alcohol & tobacco addiction are treated as public health issues, approaches on gambling harm have been slower to advance. Our latest report explores the siloed landscape that means treatment is less accessible. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

While gambling is common in Britain, it is a highly addictive habit, with demand for support for problem gambling surging. Our latest briefing explores how a public health approach could work in practice. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

As @alexballingermp.bsky.social says, our proposals for a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines help to tackle gambling harm, whilst protecting hospitality and pubs. Read the full report buff.ly/JleqwH4

Our proposals to raise taxes on Category B slot machines are supported across the political spectrum. More than 40% of voters from each of the five major parties back the policy - and more back a tax rise than cut in every case. Read the report ⬇️ buff.ly/JleqwH4

Responding to @chriswebbmp.bsky.social, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was "struck" by our findings on misinformation in the Makerfield by-election. We're pleased the newly announced Local Media Plan is only the 'start' of the Government's ambitions for local news. Watch the exchange 👇

As AI reshapes recruitment, entry-level hiring becomes less profitable. Instead of letting it worsen the youth unemployment crisis, policy should make entry-level hiring cheaper by extending the employer NI exemption to age 25, KCL's Jacob Schaal explores in new blog 👇 www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Our latest report proposes a targeted tax rise on Category B slot machines. It would raise revenue from machines most linked to gambling harm while shifting spending towards sectors such as hospitality that create more jobs and tax revenue. buff.ly/JleqwH4

We think there should be a targeted approach to tackle gambling harm and raise revenue – which is why our most recent report protects the low risk slot machines found in hospitality entirely. buff.ly/JleqwH4

Pleased to have today launched a new paper arguing for higher taxes on the most harmful slot machines. The paper, Addressing the harm, shows strong public support for reform and estimates £250–£450m could be raised by hiking MGD on high-harm machines, often concentrated in deprived high streets.

Category B slot machines cause higher levels of gambling harm, and are more disproportionately found in AGCs. We believe we should raise taxes on them to boost public finances – and reduce gambling harm. Read the full research buff.ly/JleqwH4

With @survation.bsky.social, we found 43% of adults support higher taxes on slot machines in betting shops, compared with just 11% who want them cut. Read the research ⬇️ buff.ly/JleqwH4

🚨NEW REPORT🚨 Government finances are tight – but what if there was a tax rise that was both popular and could reduce gambling harm? Our proposals on Machine Gaming Duty could raise up to £450m. Read the report ⬇️ www.smf.co.uk/publications...

🚨EVENT TOMORROW🚨 Join our panel as we discuss reforms to Machine Gaming Duty to further tackle gambling harm. @theobertram.bsky.social @alexballingermp.bsky.social Prof Henrietta Bowden-Jones @gideonsalutin.bsky.social RSVP here: buff.ly/v8BLADZ

Last year, the Chancellor increased duties on some of the most harmful gambling products – but not Machine Gaming Duty. Join our upcoming event to explore why, and hear new research on the harms of high-risk gaming machines. RSVP 👇️ buff.ly/v8BLADZ

Join this afternoon for a discussion of our recent report on School-Based Nurseries with @suttontrust.bsky.social - with a focus on learnings for schools and early years settings - from those looking to set up an SBN, to any early years settings or schools looking to build relationships locally ⬇️

Social media platforms must act against scammers chasing cash who erode public trust with their AI-generated confrontations and ‘breaking news’ clips. Read @theobertram.bsky.social's column in The Times: thetimes.com/comment/colu...

With the polls in the #Makerfield by-election open in less than 24 hours, we uncovered the extent of fake news on local Facebook groups aimed at senior Labour figures. 📽️ Watch @theobertram.bsky.social set out some of the key examples on BBC Radio 4 Today 👇

The #assisteddying bill is returning to parliament, and there's a lot that's right about it. But as policymakers look at strengthening guardrails, check out @gideonsalutin.bsky.social's briefing on ways to create an accessible and secure procedure by learning from similar policies abroad.

Where local news provision is weak, misinformation is more likely to take hold. That’s why we’re calling for action so everyone can access impartial & factual news. Read our latest report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly sponsored by the BBC

Earlier this week, we discussed findings from our recent report on family food insecurity and childhood hunger - 'Growing up hungry: Measuring UK child food insecurity in 2026' A big thank you to our speakers, including @chriswebbmp.bsky.social and Sumi Rabindrakumar from @trusselluk.bsky.social.

For younger people, there is a sense Britain’s social contract is broken. Earlier this week our new report outlined a solution. Our ‘Citizens Advance’ would allow young people to swap a year of their state pension for £12,500 in cash today. Read more: www.smf.co.uk/publications...

Education and social mobility is a key part of our work. Take a look at some of the findings from our research below ⬇️ #socialmobilityday

Our latest report shows misinformation is spreading rapidly online. As more people rely on social media for news, false information can shape opinions and even potentially influence votes. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly supported by the BBC

Britain is facing a crisis of opportunity - and Government should consider radical, fiscally credible ideas to restore the social contract for young people. We believe our proposal for a Citizens Advance is one of these ideas. Read more about it below👇️ buff.ly/EhBD5uV

Our latest report shows online misinformation was a feature of recent local elections. With almost half of people using social media for local news, the risks are growing. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly sponsored by the BBC

More of us get our news from social media than ever before. Our latest report explores how misinformation online can distort public debate, with potential impacts on elections – especially at the local level. Read the full report: buff.ly/A9jSf39 Kindly supported by the BBC