The first report by the GO Lab into social impact bonds is called Building the tools for public services to secure better outcomes: Collaboration, Prevention, Innovation. This looks at the current state of play of UK social impact bonds. In informal terms it asks ‘is there any magic dust in SIBs?’

Public debate around social impact bonds (SIBs) ranges from extraordinary expectations to passionate opposition and such a polarised debate can risk poor policy making. The GO Lab takes an agnostic stance and this report seeks to move beyond ideological debate to provide a constructive response based on robust academic evidence.