Most of us believe that some tax is required to fund government spending and some taxes are better than others. … Continue reading “Reforming Britain’s Tax System”

A new report released today from the Institute of Economic Affairs debunks several of the Government’s claims around the efficacy … Continue reading “UK’s current version of industrial strategy will do little to boost productivity, argues IEA”

Summary:  Despite its considerable strengths, the UK economy is seen as having a number of problems, in particular productivity which … Continue reading “Balancing the economy: The hand of government or the invisible hand?”

While Philip Hammond hasn’t been chancellor for long, he has already adopted George Osborne’s style of giveaways – the gifts … Continue reading “It’d be a Christmas miracle if the Chancellor delivered on these three festive reforms”

As countries get richer, the demand for government (particularly fiscal transfers) rises. That in essence is the key message of … Continue reading “Is making the case for smaller government pointless?”

To many people’s relief, there were not many big ideas in Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement last month. In so far … Continue reading “Those who benefit from new infrastructure should pay for it”

When politicians ‘give’ us things, it is very difficult to take them away again. Here is a little-known case in … Continue reading “How benefits, once granted, become irreversible: a peculiar anecdote”

Commenting on the chancellor’s Autumn Statement today, Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs said:  “This was … Continue reading “Fiscal rules are no more than vague hopes for this government”

Every now and again we have a radical government that changes the way things are done. Lots of governments try … Continue reading “Hammond should end the discrimination against families in the tax and benefits system”