| Reform | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2001 |
| Type | think tank |
| Legal status | Private company limited by guarantee and charity |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Director | Andrew Haldenby |
| Affiliations | Stockholm Network |
| Website | reform.co.uk |
Reform is a British centre-right, liberal, think tank[1][2] based in London, whose declared 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 founded in 2001 by Nick Herbert (now a Conservative MP) and Andrew Haldenby (former head of the Political Section in the Conservative Research Department).
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Reform was founded in 2001 by Nick Herbert (now a Conservative MP) and Andrew Haldenby (former head of the Political Section in the Conservative Research Department). Reform's research and policy work is conducted by a charity, the Reform Research Trust,[3] which is also a private company limited by guarantee.[4] Campaigning is conducted by Reform Britain which is a not-for-profit organisation. Reform is a member of the Stockholm Network.
Reform had an income of just under £1m in 2009. Corporate donors ("partners", donating over £7500[5]) include General Healthcare Group (GHG), KPMG and GlaxoSmithKline.[6] Reform says of its "Corporate Partnership Programme" of corporate links that it
"is at the heart of our research work. The experience and insights of our Partners greatly improve the quality and relevance of our research. Our Partners are typically organisations with a strong commitment to improving public sector and economic performance. They find that a close collaboration with Reform helps them to achieve their own objectives, as well as bringing them into a new and high level network."[5]
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.
A much-cited 2008 reform report into the decline of mathematics in the UK has received criticism in The Guardian newspaper for itself employing poor use of mathematics.[7]
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.[8]
Other proposed cuts in public spending that Reform are very keen on implementing is what they call "pensioner gimmicks" such as the winter fuel payment and free TV licensing for the over 75s. Cutting both these "gimmicks" would, they say, save the economy £3.2 billion.[9]
Reform is run by Director Andrew Haldenby. Sir Richard Sykes is its chairman. Its former deputy director was Elizabeth Truss, elected a Conservative MP in 2010; she was replaced by Nick Seddon, formerly at Circle.[6][10]
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.
Reform's Advisory Council includes people such as Patrick Minford, Ruth Lea, Tim Congdon, Karol Sikora and Chris Woodhead.[11]