Episodes

  • Drivers of growth - In conversation with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment

    Drivers of growth - In conversation with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment
    Sep 27 2024

    SMF Director Theo Bertram sits with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment, as they discuss what personally motivates her, her ambitions for the Department for Work & Pensions, and how she sees it fitting into Labour’s wider mission for kickstarting economic growth.


    This series is powered by Blackstone, and the episode is produced by Richa Kapoor, SMF Impact Officer.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • 9. Ask the Expert: Will the 2019 General Election be the death of the two-party system?

    9. Ask the Expert: Will the 2019 General Election be the death of the two-party system?
    Nov 28 2019
    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 politics in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland might stack up in the next Parliament.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 mins
  • 8. Ask the Expert: Encouraging public engagement in climate change and sustainable behaviours

    8. Ask the Expert: Encouraging public engagement in climate change and sustainable behaviours
    Nov 8 2019
    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 that advocate behavioral changes and give cause for optimism in the fight to combat climate change.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    23 mins
  • 7. Ask the Expert: How do we better support the UK’s older carers?

    7. Ask the Expert: How do we better support the UK’s older carers?
    Oct 28 2019
    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 Sheffield about these individuals who often go unidentified and the many challenges they are likely to face.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    22 mins
  • 3. Policycast: Pour Decisions? The Case for Reforming Alcohol Duty with Scott Corfe

    3. Policycast: Pour Decisions? The Case for Reforming Alcohol Duty with Scott Corfe
    Sep 6 2019
    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 strength products; and introducing a new “Pub Relief”, post-Brexit, to favour drinking in pubs rather than at home or on the street.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    20 mins
  • 2. Policycast: Are Coastal Towns Falling off a Cliff?

    2. Policycast: Are Coastal Towns Falling off a Cliff?
    Aug 22 2019
    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 done.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 mins
  • 6. Ask The Expert: Future of Housing | 3 solutions for the next PM

    6. Ask The Expert: Future of Housing | 3 solutions for the next PM
    Jul 12 2019
    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    20 mins
  • 1. Policycast: Back to the Future with Jonathan Thomas

    1. Policycast: Back to the Future with Jonathan Thomas
    May 29 2019
    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 irregular immigration. Are we headed for a US-style future when it comes to migration?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 mins