What trade deals do and do not mean for domestic laws

Andrew Lilico
8 January 2020

What trade deals do and do not mean for domestic laws

One of the larger benefits those of a liberal economics bent often ascribe to trade deals is that they provide an excuse for stripping away dumb domestic laws. A classic scenario is something like the following. At some point decades ago a government found it convenient to ally itself with either producers in some sector ... Continue reading
Andrew Lilico
8 January 2020
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The new Brexit deal: What’s changed, is it preferable?

Victoria Hewson
18 October 2019
Government and Institutions

The new Brexit deal: What’s changed, is it preferable?

What's happened? The EU Commission and UK have agreed a new Protocol for Ireland/Northern Ireland and a new Political Declaration in respect of the future relationship. It is expected that the Council will endorse it at the summit this week, and UK Parliament will vote on it on Saturday. The main body of the Withdrawal ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
18 October 2019
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The Consequences of a Permanent Customs Union

Shanker Singham
25 April 2019
Research

The Consequences of a Permanent Customs Union

IEA releases briefing on the reality of customs union membership

Summary:  A customs union with the EU would come with significant costs to the UK’s economic, trade and foreign policies. Such an arrangement would also fail, by itself, to eliminate trade ‘friction’ with the EU. To do so would also require alignment with the Single Market rules for goods. A customs union would also come ... Continue reading
Shanker Singham
25 April 2019
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EU officials and Brexiteers share a similar concern over Brexit

9 April 2019
Government and Institutions

EU officials and Brexiteers share a similar concern over Brexit

Kate Andrews writes for The Spectator Coffee House

Kate Andrews, Associate Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs has written for The Spectator's Coffee House on the possibility of another extension of Article 50 and what that might mean in practice. In the article Kate argues that the EU’s fears of a unruly UK in the European Union are just as legitimate as ... Continue reading
9 April 2019
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The EU Copyright Directive is likely to stifle competition and innovation

Victoria Hewson
27 March 2019
Regulation

The EU Copyright Directive is likely to stifle competition and innovation

Yesterday, the European Parliament voted in favour of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, in one of the final stages before it becomes law. There were protests against the Directive across Europe over the weekend, and campaigners were optimistic that these could be effective in view of upcoming European Parliament elections – ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
27 March 2019
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BBC Brexit bias on flagship political programmes

25 March 2019
Government and Institutions

BBC Brexit bias on flagship political programmes

IEA research features in The Telegraph

IEA research from 2017 on the balance of panellists on the BBC's flagship political programmes has been referenced in The Telegraph. In his article, columnist Charles Moore cites the IEA's detailed breakdown of the BBC's Any Questions panel balance: 59 per cent of panellists supported Remain, against only 32 per cent for Brexit (the remainder ... Continue reading
25 March 2019
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Brexit is an opportunity to take control of the UK’s regulations

22 March 2019
Government and Institutions

Brexit is an opportunity to take control of the UK’s regulations

Mark Littlewood appears on Chopper's Brexit podcast

Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs has appeared on The Telegraph's Brexit podcast to discuss Brexit and the question of who funds think tanks. On Brexit, Mark argues that Brexit could be a great opportunity for this country if it is done well. There are medium to long-term gains that I ... Continue reading
22 March 2019
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Norway Plus is no solution to Britain’s Brexit dilemma

21 March 2019
Trade, Development, and Immigration

Norway Plus is no solution to Britain’s Brexit dilemma

Victoria Hewson writes for CapX

Victoria Hewson, Senior Counsel at the Institute of Economic Affairs has written for CapX following the publication of her briefing on the possible models for leaving the EU. In the article Victoria argues that a 'Norway Plus' model of Brexit is legally fraught in the current forms of both the EFTA convention and the EEA ... Continue reading
21 March 2019
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Pining for Norway – The EEA models: A briefing

Victoria Hewson
19 March 2019
Research

Pining for Norway – The EEA models: A briefing

IEA publishes report on the EEA and EFTA models to leave the European Union

Summary:  There seem to be three broad variations to the EEA model: Not joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and ‘continuing’ as party to the EEA Agreement Joining EFTA, and then becoming party to the EEA Agreement as an EFTA member Joining EFTA as an Associate Member and then becoming an EFTA party to ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
19 March 2019
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First-come-first-serve quota system could help protect British farmers

14 March 2019
Trade, Development, and Immigration

First-come-first-serve quota system could help protect British farmers

Shanker Singham comments in The Telegraph

Shanker Singham, Director of the IEA's International Trade and Competition Unit has been quoted in The Telegraph today following the government's plans to cut tariffs in a no-deal scenario. In the article Shanker is quoted as saying that in the case of protecting British farmers, the Government could have adopted a first-come-first-served quota system of ... Continue reading
14 March 2019
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