IEA Featured Media Posts

In an op-ed for The Spectator, IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon commented on how the government's much needed housing reforms are consistently "thwarted by Nimbys and tree hugers". Christopher argued: "Whatever the government does, it must do it now and do it quickly. House price inflation of 10 per cent a year should ... Continue reading

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

IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kritian Niemietz responded to new planning legislation speculated to be included in the Queen's Speech. The comment was picked up by property publication Housing Today. Kristian said: "We need a more rules-based system, where developers that play by the rules automatically get planning permission, without having to haggle with ... Continue reading

Responding to the Planning Bill in the Queen's Speech, IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz was quoted in the Evening Standard, welcoming the need to liberalise planning laws but warning that the bill could be an empty promise. Kristian said: "We needlessly deprive ourselves of affordable high-quality housing because we allow a small ... Continue reading

IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz has written for The Spectator, urging London Mayor Sadiq Khan to learn from the mistakes of Berlin when it comes to rent controls. Kristian warns that the German 'rent freeze' had reduced the number of rental properties coming on the market in Berlin by almost half. Commenting ... Continue reading

In a debate column for City AM, IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz argued against the introduction of rent controls in London. Kristian explained that high rental prices are a product of the scarcity of property- high demand but low supply increases prices. Kristian said: "Rent controls are a lot like socialism. Both ... Continue reading

The government has announced a scheme which will give a guarantee to lenders across the UK that offer mortgages to people with a deposit of five per cent on homes with a value of up to £600,000. IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop was quoted in City AM calling the scheme “a bad idea”. He argued: ... Continue reading

The reason the market has failed to deliver enough homes at attainable prices is because the state has made building increasingly difficult, argues Director General Mark Littlewood in his fortnightly column for The Times. Instead of more state interference as Labour is proposing, we require "an overhaul of our planning system – alongside a reduction ... Continue reading

IEA Director General Mark Littlewood has said the governments recent 'Planning for the Future' white paper has made a promising start but warned it will "come up against powerful vested interests in liberalising planning law" Writing his fortnightly column for The Times newspaper, Mark said "the prime minister’s refrain of “build, build, build” has some ... Continue reading