Nanny State Index a sad read for libertarians

14 May 2021
Lifestyle Economics

Nanny State Index a sad read for libertarians

Christopher Snowdon writes for CapX

In an op-ed for CapX, IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics and author of the Nanny State Index 2021, Christopher Snowdon, said his latest research shows an "unmitigated downward spiral" towards statism. Christopher said: "The most nannying countries do not have longer life expectancies, lower smoking rates, less obesity or fewer alcohol-related deaths than the ones ... Continue reading
14 May 2021
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Nanny state Britain

14 May 2021
Lifestyle Economics

Nanny state Britain

IEA research featured in The Telegraph

The Telegraph has reported the annual IEA research paper The Nanny State Index 2021, authored by Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon, which ranks thirty European nations in terms of their regulation of lifestyle activities like drinking and smoking. The list establishes the most 'nannying' nations and the countries which give the greatest freedom to ... Continue reading
14 May 2021
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On free speech, the Queen’s Speech was a mixed bag

Marc Glendening
13 May 2021
Society and Culture

On free speech, the Queen’s Speech was a mixed bag

The government appears to be suffering from a combination of advanced Doublethink and early onset of magical thinking when it comes to free speech. On the one hand, it is commendably fighting back against the illiberal onslaught within higher education, but on the other hand, it has caved in to the authoritarian tendencies of the ... Continue reading
Marc Glendening
13 May 2021
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HS2 a ‘vanity project’ with no economic case

13 May 2021
Transport

HS2 a ‘vanity project’ with no economic case

Dr Richard Wellings quoted in the Telegraph

Responding to the news that HS2 legislation failed to mention the construction of phase 2b, the line from Birmingham to Leeds, IEA Head of Transport Dr Richard Wellings was quoted in the Telegraph saying: "The whole HS2 scheme is essentially a vanity project which makes no sense from an economic perspective and the eastern leg ... Continue reading
13 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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‘Despite Brexit’ the UK is outperforming the EU economy

12 May 2021
Trade, Development, and Immigration

‘Despite Brexit’ the UK is outperforming the EU economy

Julian Jessop quoted in the Telegraph

The pessimism surrounding the UK's departure from the EU was unjustified, says Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in the Telegraph. As the UK economy bounces back strongly from the pandemic, defying gloomy predictions by the OECD and the IMF, and managing to reach pre-Brexit export levels to the EU, the EU instead has begun to lose its share ... Continue reading
12 May 2021
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Trade with EU back to pre-Brexit levels

12 May 2021
Trade, Development, and Immigration

Trade with EU back to pre-Brexit levels

Julian Jessop quoted in the Telegraph

Data from the ONS suggests trade between the UK and EU is back to pre-Brexit levels with exports to Europe jumping dramatically in March. IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop commented on the news in the Telegraph, saying: "we haven't seen the sort of long weakness in trade that some people had feared". Read the full ... Continue reading
12 May 2021
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Voter ID not a priority for the UK

12 May 2021
Government and Institutions

Voter ID not a priority for the UK

Emma Revell writes for 1828

In an opinion piece for 1828, IEA Head of Public Affairs Emma Revell said that the government's plan to make voters present ID at polling stations to prevent voter fraud was like "using a sledgehammer to crack a nut". Emma argued: "There are weaknesses in the UK’s electoral system but time and again the government ... Continue reading
12 May 2021
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Johnson’s “radical shakeup” of the planning system is not going to happen

Kristian Niemietz
12 May 2021
Housing and Planning

Johnson’s “radical shakeup” of the planning system is not going to happen

Boris Johnson has promised a “radical shakeup” of the planning system – the “biggest shake-up in 70 years” no less – in order to fix the housing crisis. Call me a cynic, but I have heard this too many times to believe a word of it. We have been here before. Announcing a “radical shakeup” ... Continue reading
Kristian Niemietz
12 May 2021
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NIMBY’s should not be allowed to stop urgent planning reform

11 May 2021
Housing and Planning

NIMBY’s should not be allowed to stop urgent planning reform

Dr Kristian Niemietz writes for CapX

IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz has welcomed attempts by the government to tackle Britain's housing crisis, but warns "I have heard this too many times to believe a word of it". In an article for CapX, Kristian argued that the government must enact planning reform, despite inevitable  'Not In My Back Yard' ... Continue reading
11 May 2021
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