[1] Founded in 1980 as an offshoot of the Institute of Economic Affairs, it publishes books on a variety of social issues.

Its website notes that "many SAU supporters are inclined to believe that the generation which fought the Second World War were rather too keen on social engineering over the goals of personal responsibility".

[2] The Unit published Standpoint (2008 - 2021), a monthly cultural and political newsstand magazine edited by Daniel Johnson (2008 - 2018), Michael Mosbacher (2018 - 2019), Edward Lucas (2019 - 2020) and Andreas Campomar (2020 - 2021).

[3] "Within a few years the Social Affairs Unit became independent from the IEA, acquiring its own premises.

Anderson often contributed leading articles to UK national newspapers,[3] was Director from 1980 to 2004, when he retired and was succeeded by Michael Mosbacher.