Reform (think tank)

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Reform is a London, United Kingdom based free-market think tank whose mission is to set out a better way to deliver public services and economic prosperity via private sector involvement and market de-regulation. Reform describes itself as independent and non-partisan. It was started in 2001 by Nick Herbert (now a Conservative MP) and Andrew Haldenby (former head of the Political Section in the Conservative Research Department).

Reform believes that, by reforming the public sector and extending choice, high quality services can be made available for everyone.

Reform publishes reports on a variety of different issues, adopting what it considers to be an evidence-based approach to public policy. Its publications are always heavily populated with figures and tables. It has published most recently on the long-term future of the NHS, Britain's regional economic performance, the economic position of young people, and on the tax and welfare system. It has also produced research that claims to show that the extra spending on public services between 2000 and 2006 has not shifted the trend performance of those services.

Reform states that its vision is of a Britain with 21st Century healthcare, high standards in schools, a modern and efficient transport system, safe streets and a free, dynamic and competitive economy. Reform argues that in the longer term public spending should be reduced to the levels of Ireland and Australia (around 35% of GDP), and tax reduced so individuals can invest in themselves providing for their own and their families’ welfare needs, so more efficiently obtaining high quality services.^[1]

Reform is run by Director Andrew Haldenby. Sir Richard Sykes is its chairman. Reform's research and policy work is conducted by a charity, the Reform Research Trust,^[2] and campaigning is conducted by Reform Britain which is a not-for-profit organisation.

Reform's Advisory Board includes Jeremy Browne MP, Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Sir Christopher Gent (former CEO of Vodafone), Oliver Pawle (Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank), Sir Steve Robson (former second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury), Derek Scott (Economic Consultant to KPMG and Deputy Chairman of Open Europe), and Jeremy Sillem (formerly Chairman of Bear Stearns International). Consultant Directors are Rupert Darwell, Professor Nick Bosanquet (Professor of Health Policy at Imperial College, London) and Nicholas Boys Smith, author of their report on welfare reform.