Labour market deterioration “not (yet) as bad as feared”, says IEA expert

15 September 2020
Labour Market

Labour market deterioration “not (yet) as bad as feared”, says IEA expert

CONTACT: EMILY CARVER, MEDIA MANAGER, 07715942731 LABOUR MARKET DETERIORATION "NOT (YET) AS BAD AS FEARED", SAYS IEA EXPERT Responding to the latest unemployment statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop said:  “It is no surprise that the labour market has weakened given the depth of the Covid-19 recession. ... Continue reading
15 September 2020
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WHO and PHE put “advocacy” before pandemic preparation, says new research

4 September 2020
Lifestyle Economics

WHO and PHE put “advocacy” before pandemic preparation, says new research

A new briefing paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs asks: How did these two multi-billion pound public health agencies fail so badly at the moment of greatest need?  – The World Health Organization and Public Health England officially prioritise infectious diseases. Yet both have spread themselves thinly over a “huge range of medical, political and social ... Continue reading
4 September 2020
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Recovery in retail sales ‘reflects the flexibility of a free-market economy’

21 August 2020
Labour Market

Recovery in retail sales ‘reflects the flexibility of a free-market economy’

Commenting on retail sales volumes figures published today by the ONS, Julian Jessop, IEA Economics Fellow, said: “The recovery in retail sales to pre-pandemic levels in July reflects the flexibility of a free-market economy. While some retailers are clearly struggling in the new environment, others have thrived. "Online retailers have played a crucial role in providing consumers ... Continue reading
21 August 2020
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UK Higher Education has “reached a dead end,” says new IEA research

13 August 2020
Education

UK Higher Education has “reached a dead end,” says new IEA research

A new IEA briefing paper outlines how Covid-19 has burst the university bubble, opening up opportunity for reform

Covid-19 is exposing the fundamentally unsound nature of the policy of successive governments and of the entire array of Higher Education (HE) institutions; Many universities were in a weak financial position prior to the pandemic. They are now facing a "massive cashflow crisis"; The present difficulties could lead to a permanent fall in demand for ... Continue reading
13 August 2020
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The real ‘news’ today is that the economic recovery accelerated in June

12 August 2020
Tax and Fiscal Policy

The real ‘news’ today is that the economic recovery accelerated in June

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emily Carver, Media Manager, 07715 942 731 Commenting on GDP figures for Q2 2020 published today by the ONS, Julian Jessop, IEA Economics Fellow, said: “The real ‘news’ today is not that the UK fell into recession in the second quarter. That much we already knew. Instead, it is ... Continue reading
12 August 2020
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UK still in “Phoney War” phase of battle against unemployment, says Professor Len Shackleton

11 August 2020
Labour Market

UK still in “Phoney War” phase of battle against unemployment, says Professor Len Shackleton

In response to the ONS labour market statistics, IEA Editorial and Research Fellow Professor Len Shackleton said: "We are still in the 'phoney war' spell of the struggle against unemployment. Today’s figures are not as bad as some feared, but they cover the period when the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was still in full operation, ... Continue reading
11 August 2020
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Planning reforms not the “radical shake-up” some expected, says IEA expert

6 August 2020
Housing and Planning

Planning reforms not the “radical shake-up” some expected, says IEA expert

In response to the government’s planning proposals, Dr Kristian Niemietz, Head of Political Economy at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “The announced planning reforms are a step in the right direction. But they are not the ‘radical shake-up’ some were expecting. “The basic idea is to make the planning system less discretionary, and more rules-based. ... Continue reading
6 August 2020
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The West must avoid “politically dangerous” and “economically costly” confrontation with China, says new IEA briefing paper

6 August 2020
Trade, Development, and Immigration

The West must avoid “politically dangerous” and “economically costly” confrontation with China, says new IEA briefing paper

– Fears are rising that we are at the foothills of a “new Cold War”; – Covid-19 is provoking a major reorientation of our foreign policy. At the heart of this is our changing relationship with China; – We risk fundamentally misunderstanding China’s motivations because our assumptions are out of date: unlike the USSR it ... Continue reading
6 August 2020
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Business rates are a “poorly-designed” tax in need of reform, says Professor Len Shackleton

5 August 2020
Tax and Fiscal Policy

Business rates are a “poorly-designed” tax in need of reform, says Professor Len Shackleton

In response to reports that the Chancellor is considering an increase in business rates for the "most valuable properties,” Professor Len Shackleton, IEA Editorial and Research Fellow, said: “In principle business rates ultimately fall on landlords, who will find the rent they can charge for a property is diminished if the property has a high ... Continue reading
5 August 2020
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Furlough scheme changes reflect need to get “back to reality”

31 July 2020
Labour Market

Furlough scheme changes reflect need to get “back to reality”

Commenting on changes to the furlough scheme effective tomorrow and calls to extend the scheme, Professor Len Shackleton, IEA Editorial and Research Fellow, said: “The changes coming into force on Saturday are a reflection of the need to get much of the furloughed workforce out of this strange dreamlike existence and back to reality. "Many ... Continue reading
31 July 2020
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