Summary Britain’s public finances are in a difficult position, with weak growth, persistent deficits and national debt close to the … Continue reading “The Alternative Budget 2026”

Summary The Laffer curve illustrates a principle understood since Adam Smith: beyond a certain point, raising a tax rate reduces … Continue reading “The Laffer Curve in Action”

Summary The British economy is increasingly characterised by a form of ‘command capitalism’ in which the private sector is compelled … Continue reading “The Capitalist Command Economy”

FOREWORD Growth. In theory, every party wants it. Indeed, with the exception of the Green Party, all the parties insist … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation”

Summary This briefing examines two common explanations for the UK’s poor economic performance over the last fifteen years: austerity and … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation Briefing 7: Austerity and Brexit”

Summary An efficient labour market adjusts quickly and effectively to change in the global and domestic economies, reallocating workers from … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation Briefing 6: The Labour Market”

Summary Over the past quarter-century, as the tax burden has risen, so too has the structure of the tax system … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation Briefing 5: Tax”

Summary Energy is a fundamental input into a modern economy. There are no rich countries which have low levels of … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation Briefing 4: Energy”

Summary Successive governments have acknowledged that a lack of modern infrastructure is a significant impediment to economic growth in Britain. … Continue reading “The Great Stagnation Briefing 3: Infrastructure”