The Chancellor’s diagnosis was correct but “the medicine is inadequate”

25 November 2020
Tax and Fiscal Policy

The Chancellor’s diagnosis was correct but “the medicine is inadequate”

Responding to the Chancellor's Spending Review, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:  "The Chancellor's diagnosis was correct – and it is encouraging that he grasps the scale of the problem. The eye of the economic storm has yet to hit. The Covid contraction is more than double that ... Continue reading
25 November 2020
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IEA: Chancellor’s speech a “mixed bag” of economic policies

30 September 2019
Tax and Fiscal Policy

IEA: Chancellor’s speech a “mixed bag” of economic policies

Mark Littlewood responds to the Chancellor's party conference speech

Commenting on Sajid Javid's speech to Conservative Party Conference, the Institute of Economic Affairs’s Director General Mark Littlewood said: “The Chancellor’s speech was a mixed bag of policy proposals - some would boost growth and innovation in the UK, and others would damper it. "Sajid Javid's launch of the “Brexit red tape challenge” is a ... Continue reading
30 September 2019
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IEA report re-published: Plan A+: Creating a prosperous post-Brexit UK

27 September 2019
Trade, Development, and Immigration

IEA report re-published: Plan A+: Creating a prosperous post-Brexit UK

Today the Institute of Economic Affairs republishes a paper outlining one option for a comprehensive framework for future trade relationships between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Plan A+ was first published in September 2018. Its publication followed the Chequers White Paper, which outlined the approach of then Prime Minister Theresa May and her government to ... Continue reading
27 September 2019
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IEA: Labour leader’s patent overhaul “likely to worsen” NHS problems

24 September 2019
Government and Institutions

IEA: Labour leader’s patent overhaul “likely to worsen” NHS problems

Kate Andrews responds to the Leader's speech at Labour Party Conference

Commenting on Jeremy Corbyn's speech to Labour Party Conference, the Institute of Economic Affairs’s Associate Director Kate Andrews said: "Jeremy Corbyn’s negative view of free trade directly contradicts his stated desire to put “wealth and power in the hands of the many.” "The broad principle of free trade is almost universally agreed by economists to ... Continue reading
24 September 2019
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IEA: Shadow Chancellor rejects free enterprise, promotes “tried and failed socialist ideology”

23 September 2019
Government and Institutions

IEA: Shadow Chancellor rejects free enterprise, promotes “tried and failed socialist ideology”

IEA responds to Shadow Chancellor's speech at Labour Party Conference

Commenting on John McDonnell’s speech to Labour Party Conference, the Institute of Economic Affairs’s Academic and Research Director Prof Syed Kamall said: “The Shadow Chancellor has proposed a vast array of areas where he would increase spending and expand state intervention. But from housing to welfare, John McDonnell’s rejection of free enterprise has led him ... Continue reading
23 September 2019
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IEA: Sugar tax “has not been a success”

20 September 2019
Lifestyle Economics

IEA: Sugar tax “has not been a success”

Commenting on figures showing an increase in sugar consumption in England, Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "That sugar consumption has risen despite a concerted anti-sugar campaign, a sugar tax and a sugar reduction scheme shows that government policy has failed to change consumer behaviour, whilst putting financial strain ... Continue reading
20 September 2019
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IEA: Early signs suggest minimum unit pricing is not having a positive effect on health

19 September 2019
Lifestyle Economics

IEA: Early signs suggest minimum unit pricing is not having a positive effect on health

Christopher Snowdon responds to new research

Commenting on figures presented to the British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) conference in Glasgow on the impact of minimum unit pricing in Scotland, Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “These claims are based on unpublished research and do not reflect the trends in Scotland ... Continue reading
19 September 2019
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IEA: Lib Dems offer “illiberal concoction” of public spending and state intervention

17 September 2019
Government and Institutions

IEA: Lib Dems offer “illiberal concoction” of public spending and state intervention

Mark Littlewood responds to Jo Swinson's leader's speech

Commenting on Jo Swinson’s speech to Liberal Democrat Conference, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Jo Swinson’s criticism of Britain’s “tired old parties” seems solely focused on the Brexit debate; but if we look past the UK’s relationship with the EU, the Liberal Democrats appear to be offering a similar, ... Continue reading
17 September 2019
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IEA: Opposition’s school reform proposals are a “threat to freedom”

13 September 2019
Education

IEA: Opposition’s school reform proposals are a “threat to freedom”

Professor Len Shackleton comments on Labour plans

Commenting on Labour's consideration to scrap discounted business rates for independent schools and impose VAT on fees, IEA Editorial Fellow Professor Len Shackleton said: "This proposal is unlikely to raise the sums suggested, as some independent schools will close while others may relocate abroad - a plausible scenario given the rising proportion of overseas students ... Continue reading
13 September 2019
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Tax cuts should be as high a priority as spending, says IEA

4 September 2019
Tax and Fiscal Policy

Tax cuts should be as high a priority as spending, says IEA

Mark Littlewood responds to the Spending Review

Responding to the Chancellor's Spending Review, IEA Director General Mark Littlewood, said: “The Chancellor has promised the fastest increase in day-to-day spending in 15 years, with every single government department due to get an increase next year. But turning on the taps - totalling £13.8bn of additional spending commitments thus far – does risk undermining ... Continue reading
4 September 2019
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