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BRIGHT BLUE CAMPAIGN
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 29 February 2024.
The principal activity of the Company in the year under review was that of defending and improving liberal society. Our primary role is to change government policy and public attitudes.
Bright Blue is an independent, centre-right think tank that is a home for members of all political parties and none who have liberal, meritocratic, pro-market, institutionalist, internationalist values. Our main outputs are research, events and communications. Our work is guided by seven research themes: bountiful economy; clean environment; good lives; rewarding work; empowering government; just institutions; and connected communities.
Our detailed analysis and innovative policymaking has led to 13 significant changes in national government policy in this financial year. This includes:
∙Introducing upfront payment - rather than payment in arrears - of the childcare element of Universal Credit
∙Uprated maximum amounts claimable under the childcare element of Universal Credit.
∙Extended Early Years Free Entitlement to children under the age of three
∙Relaxed staff-to-child ratios in formal childcare settings
∙Full expensing of capital investment in new plants, machinery and industrial buildings against Corporation Tax
∙Increasing fines for littering
∙Banning plastic in wet wipes
∙Introducing a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
∙Expanding the use of National Development Orders (NDOs) through the use of Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) and Street Votes.
∙Increasing the maximum Contract for Difference (CfD) strike price for offshore wind power
∙Upgrading the electricity network to ease the connection of renewable energy projects.
∙Increased funding to encourage greater use of Local Development Orders (LDOs)
∙Updating the UK’s afforestation target
We published several publications in 2023-24, including:
∙'Home advantage: a new centre-right vision for housing', An essay collection, April 2023
∙'Back to business?', Centre Write magazine, August 2023
∙'Alternative policies for the UK’s asylum system', Analysis, September 2023
∙'Public attitudes towards the plight of and policies for younger people', Analysis, October 2023
∙'Resilient neighbourhoods, powered by low-carbon energy', A research report, December 2023
∙'Up in the air? Delivering cleaner air in a socially just way', A research report, December 2023
∙'Mind your business? Expanding democratic business in the UK', A research report, January 2024
We hosted 39 public events in 2023-24, including conferences, Drink Tanks, Ludgate Lectures, public panel debates, and report launch events. Our speakers have included leading politicians from all major political parties.
We are grateful to our funders in 2023-24, which include:
∙Abdrn Financial Fairness Trust
∙Allianz
∙Arden Strategies
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