Privatisation of Channel 4 is long overdue, says IEA expert

14 May 2021

Privatisation of Channel 4 is long overdue, says IEA expert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Responding to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden MP's suggestion that Channel 4 could be privatised in less than three years, Professor Philip Booth, Senior Academic Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "The concept of public service broadcasting as a special category that should be supported by the ... Continue reading
14 May 2021
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Nanny statists have “exploited” this pandemic, says new research

13 May 2021
Lifestyle Economics

Nanny statists have “exploited” this pandemic, says new research

Governments are increasingly adopting higher sin taxes and more prohibitions, finds the 2021 Nanny State Index Across Europe, opportunistic paternalists have used the pandemic to impose measures they had hitherto only been able to dream about. According to the latest Epicenter Nanny State Index, which tracks lifestyle regulation in 30 European nations, the outlook is “bleak”. ... Continue reading
13 May 2021
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Policy needs to adjust following encouraging GDP data, says IEA expert

12 May 2021

Policy needs to adjust following encouraging GDP data, says IEA expert

Commenting on the latest GDP and trade data from the Office for National Statistics, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:  "Today’s data were encouraging. Although the economy shrank in the first quarter, the decline in GDP was less than most had expected and growth bounced back ... Continue reading
12 May 2021
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Ill-considered ‘junk food’ ad ban “has to be binned”, says IEA expert

11 May 2021

Ill-considered ‘junk food’ ad ban “has to be binned”, says IEA expert

Responding to renewed government plans to ban 'junk food' advertising, Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs said:  "It is surprising to hear that the government is pressing ahead with a ban on so-called ‘junk food’ advertising on TV and online. "There is no satisfactory legal ... Continue reading
11 May 2021
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“Unlikely to supercharge economic growth”: IEA experts respond to Queen’s Speech

11 May 2021

“Unlikely to supercharge economic growth”: IEA experts respond to Queen’s Speech

Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Mark Littlewood, Director General at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “The measures announced today are unlikely to supercharge economic growth in either the short or medium term. “The state doesn’t need to provide flexible loans to allow people to attend university at any stage they ... Continue reading
11 May 2021
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The apprenticeship levy should be scrapped completely, says IEA expert

10 May 2021

The apprenticeship levy should be scrapped completely, says IEA expert

Responding to the news that £1bn of apprenticeship levy funds has gone unspent in the nine months since last May, Professor Len Shackleton, Editorial and Research Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "The apprenticeship levy has failed in its objectives and should be scrapped completely. "It only managed to ... Continue reading
10 May 2021
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“Take on the NIMBYs”: IEA expert responds to planning reform proposals

10 May 2021

“Take on the NIMBYs”: IEA expert responds to planning reform proposals

Commenting on the government's plans to introduce a new Planning Bill in tomorrow’s Queen’s Speech, Dr Kristian Niemietz, Head of Political Economy at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "On planning reform, the government is making the right noises. But we have heard this too many times before and, so far, ... Continue reading
10 May 2021
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Attempts to eliminate online harms could do “great damage,” says new IEA research

7 May 2021
Regulation

Attempts to eliminate online harms could do “great damage,” says new IEA research

New research paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs warns of unintended consequences from regulating online content – Governments are increasingly concerned about what they consider to be the “harmful” content that is widely available through digital platforms. – To counter these perceived harms, governments are seeking to monitor and gain access to these communications. – ... Continue reading
7 May 2021
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Revised growth forecast should mean reassessment of fiscal and monetary policies, says IEA expert

6 May 2021

Revised growth forecast should mean reassessment of fiscal and monetary policies, says IEA expert

Responding to the Bank of England's revised growth forecast for the UK economy, Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “The Bank of England’s growing optimism about the UK economy is welcome, but the prospect of a more rapid recovery should also prompt a reassessment of both ... Continue reading
6 May 2021
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