SLF Weekly Newsletter

30 March - 5 April 2026

1. SLF News

SLF Summer Conference 2026

Have you heard? The Social Liberal Forum is returning to St Albans for our Summer Conference 2026.

Last year, we were joined by Lib Dem Deputy Leaders (okay, there’s only one), Spokespeople, Select Committee Members, Presidents, Academics and Think Tank leaders so make sure to keep the date free!

Save the Date: 18th July 2026

2. Social Liberalism in Westminster

Food prices rise amid global instability

Rising food prices have returned to the forefront of political debate this week, with ministers under pressure to respond to renewed cost-of-living concerns.

Disruption linked to instability in the Middle East — particularly to global shipping routes and supply chains — has contributed to increased costs for imported goods, feeding through into higher prices for consumers. Fresh produce and staple items have been especially affected, reflecting the UK’s continued reliance on global supply chains.

The government has sought to reassure consumers that inflationary pressures will ease over time, pointing to existing measures aimed at stabilising supply chains and supporting domestic production. However, there remains uncertainty about how quickly price increases will be brought under control.

Energy prices and the impact of the Middle East crisis

Energy policy has also moved back up the political agenda, as tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about volatility in global oil and gas markets.

The risk of disruption to key shipping routes has contributed to upward pressure on wholesale energy prices, with potential knock-on effects for household bills and business costs in the months ahead.

Ministers have emphasised that the UK is better insulated than in previous crises, citing increased domestic renewable energy capacity and diversified supply. At the same time, the government faces renewed scrutiny over its long-term energy strategy, including the pace of the transition to net zero and the role of domestic energy production.

There have also been signals that further measures could be considered if price pressures intensify, including targeted support for vulnerable households and efforts to accelerate energy efficiency programmes.

Space and innovation: renewed focus on investment and capability

This week has also seen renewed attention on the global “space race”, following confirmation of further astronaut missions to the Moon and increased international competition in space exploration.

The next phase of lunar missions — led by the United States and involving international partners — has brought questions of investment, capability and strategic positioning back into focus for policymakers in the UK and Europe.

While the UK is not directly leading crewed missions, it is seeking to expand its role in the space sector through:

• satellite technology and communications
• partnerships with international space agencies
• and investment in a growing domestic space industry.

The government has highlighted the economic potential of the sector, pointing to high-skilled jobs, innovation spillovers, and regional development opportunities linked to space infrastructure and research.

However, there are ongoing questions about whether current levels of investment are sufficient for the UK to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape, particularly as the United States, China and EU states scale up funding and ambition.

3. Reports out this week

Government and Citizenship

• Social Market Foundation: Swiss role model? What the UK can learn from how Switzerland rebuilt public trust in its asylum system (30th March)
  • The UK is suffering a downward spiral, with collapsing public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver an effective asylum system. This report investigates reforms to the Swiss asylum system designed to address the same challenge, looking at the changes made and key takeaways for the UK.

• Institute for Government: Ministerial leadership of public service reform (2nd April)
  • This insight paper draws on studies of successful public service reform, including Nick Gibb’s school reforms, Jacqui Smith’s work on neighbourhood policing, and the previous Labour government’s Sure Start programme. It explores what effective leadership looks like in public service reform, and the lessons this holds for current and future ministers.

Economy and Inequality

• Institute for Fiscal Studies: Labour market, living standards and poverty trends in Wales (1st April)
  • This report documents how earnings and employment have evolved over time in Scotland, how different parts of Scotland compare, and how trends have differed between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It then looks at average income, income inequality and poverty, and discusses the Scottish Government’s strategy for reducing child poverty.

• Institute for Fiscal Studies: Labour market, living standards and poverty trends in Scotland (2nd April)
  • This report documents how earnings and employment have evolved over time in Scotland, how different parts of Scotland compare, and how trends have differed between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It then looks at average income, income inequality and poverty, and discusses the Scottish Government’s strategy for reducing child poverty.

Foreign Affairs and Defence

• Policy Exchange: Resolution Tempered With Restraint, Lessons from the Cancelled WE-177 Replacement Programme (30th March)
  • This Report analyses a classified Cold War tactical nuclear weapons programme to draw lessons as to the feasibility of the UK developing such a capability today. It finds that even at the height of the Cold War, successive governments concluded that developing new tactical nuclear weapons capability was unaffordable given other defence priorities, and the limited capacity of the UK’s nuclear weapon design and production capacity.

• Fabian Society: Pressing Reset, Our Future with Europe (31st March)
  • Rejoining the EU is not an immediate prospect. But in an increasingly uncertain world – and with public opinion in favour of greater cooperation – now is the time to revisit our relationship with our European allies. This collection brings together experts and policymakers from the UK and Europe to explore what a new relationship might look like.

Climate and energy policy

• Policy Exchange: Realising the Fingleton Review (2nd April)
  • This fifth paper in The Policy Exchange Nuclear Enterprise Commission argues that the next phase must focus relentlessly on execution. It calls for an empowered delivery body at the centre of government, permanent system-wide strategic planning, stronger support for reactor development and financing, a fleet-based approach to supply chains and skills, and grid investment undertaken in advance of deployment.

The Social Liberal Forum newsletter is edited by SLF Council Member, Ulysse Abbate. The views outlined in reports and other events referenced in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the SLF as a whole.

Contact the Social Liberal Forum here.