Finance expert Martin Lewis has launched the Small Ideas Initiative, a project designed to gather public suggestions for everyday fixes to take to government. Lewis describes these issues as “the life-potholes of unintended consequences” – systems and rules that complicate daily life.
The initiative encourages people to submit “practical, low-cost, non-controversial ways to improve the UK” across various sectors, including health, schools, policing, technology, and money. The deadline for submissions is 12 November.
A cross-party panel, including Reform MP Danny Kruger, former Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt, and Labour mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, will review the ideas. Polly Mackenzie, who helped develop the initiative and will sit on the panel, stated that the group aims to select approximately 50 ideas to present to government, councils, and regulators.
The initiative is run by Lewis alongside the innovation charity Nesta and public participation charity Involve. Mackenzie suggested that the project could help rebuild confidence in public institutions' ability to address issues.