Key facts
- Martin Lewis has launched the Small Ideas Initiative to crowdsource everyday fixes for UK systems.
- Submissions for 'practical, low-cost, non-controversial ways to improve the UK' are open until November 12.
- A cross-party panel will select about 50 ideas to take to government, councils, and regulators.
- The initiative is run by Nesta and Involve.
- The initiative aims to address 'life-potholes of unintended consequences' caused by clunky systems and poorly conceived rules.
Finance expert Martin Lewis has launched the Small Ideas Initiative, a project aimed at identifying and addressing everyday frustrations with UK systems and rules. The initiative encourages the public to submit 'practical, low-cost, non-controversial ways to improve the UK' by November 12.
Lewis described these issues as 'life-potholes of unintended consequences.' The project seeks to crowdsource simple fixes that could save time and make people's lives easier. Polly Mackenzie, who collaborated with Lewis on the idea, stated that the initiative could help rebuild trust in public institutions by demonstrating that government can implement effective solutions.
A cross-party panel, including Reform MP Danny Kruger, former Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt, Labour mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa, and Mackenzie herself, will review the submissions. The panel aims to select approximately 50 ideas to present to government, councils, and regulators.
Mackenzie highlighted an example from her previous work with the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, where they discovered GPs were charging significant fees for debt and mental health evidence forms. This campaign led to a law change in 2019, demonstrating the impact of addressing such issues. Other suggestions from the public include increasing rubbish collections during heatwaves and installing more bins in public spaces.