IEA Featured Media Posts

Commenting on reports that the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has launched a mandatory book club to educate staff on racism, including Critical Race Theory, Marc Glendening, Head of Cultural Affairs at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "If the theatre’s artistic directors actually do respect diversity of opinion, I expect ... Continue reading

Commenting on the figures, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "UK government borrowing and debt continue to undershoot the OBR’s old forecasts, underlining how economic growth – not tax hikes – is the best way to repair the ... Continue reading

Responding to ONS consumer price inflation figures for September 2021, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "The small dip in UK consumer price inflation in September, from 3.2 per cent  to 3.1 per cent, is good news and probably a relief both to the Bank of ... Continue reading

Commenting on reports that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering cutting VAT on energy bills, Andy Mayer, Chief Operating Officer at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "This is smart politics by the Chancellor. As the cost of living and specifically energy prices rise, all tax cuts are welcome relief for the ... Continue reading

Commenting on the latest GDP figures, published by the ONS today, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "The growth of 0.4 per cent in the UK economy in August may not sound like much but, when combined with revisions to previous data, it means that GDP was ... Continue reading

Commenting on the report's findings, Dr Kristian Niemietz, Head of Political Economy at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "This is a measured and thorough response which contains plenty of food for thought, but those who were looking for some grand, all-encompassing theory of everything are likely to end up disappointed. "The ... Continue reading

Responding to Lord Frost's speech today in Lisbon, Victoria Hewson, Head of Regulatory Affairs at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "The imposition of a trade border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland was always likely to cause friction between the UK and the EU. The Northern Ireland Protocol has caused tension ... Continue reading

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the UK’s leading free-market think tank, has announced the appointment of Matthew Lesh as Head of Public Policy. Matthew is currently Head of Research at the Adam Smith Institute, where he leads the research agenda and publications, undertaken original research and extensive commentary, and hosts ‘The Pin Factory’ podcast. ... Continue reading

Commenting on the labour market statistics published by the ONS today, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "Today’s strong employment data should help to calm fears that the UK is sliding back into recession, although they also make it harder to argue that interest rates still ... Continue reading

Commenting on calls to bail out energy-intensive industries, Andy Mayer, Chief Operating Officer at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "One consequence of the government's commitment to Net Zero has been to make British energy much more expensive. Now, the very same industries based in communities at the heart of the ... Continue reading