Avoiding the risks of regulatory red tape

Professor Philip Booth
15 June 2018
Research

Avoiding the risks of regulatory red tape

Brexit provides opportunity to slimline costly regulation of insurance market

Summary:  The extent of regulation of insurance companies has grown significantly in recent decades. The ‘freedom with publicity’ regime which defined the regulatory approach from 1870 to 1970 appeared to work and ran with the grain of the market. Arguments that are given today for prudential regulation of insurers tend to be spurious or not ... Continue reading
Professor Philip Booth
15 June 2018
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The Freezing of the Unfrozen Moment: The Importance of Timing and Sequencing in Trade Negotiations

Shanker Singham
11 June 2018
Research

The Freezing of the Unfrozen Moment: The Importance of Timing and Sequencing in Trade Negotiations

UK must initiate negotiations with the EU as soon as possible

The timing and sequencing of trade negotiations is a subject that does not command much attention from commentators.  Yet, many of the substantive discussions are in danger of becoming academic if this issue is not better understood. By contrast, the EU has shown a much stronger mastery of how the timing can be used to ... Continue reading
Shanker Singham
11 June 2018
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Offshore Bet: The benefits of capital mobility

Diego Zuluaga
6 June 2018
Research

Offshore Bet: The benefits of capital mobility

Clamping down on offshore financial centres would not raise tax revenue

Summary:  Offshore financial centres (OFCs) are alleged to be hotbeds of tax evasion. Their role in facilitating individual and corporate tax planning, which is entirely legal but politically controversial, has also come under the spotlight. However, OFCs play an important economic function. By mitigating instances of double and triple taxation, offshore centres raise aggregate investment. ... Continue reading
Diego Zuluaga
6 June 2018
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The case for ‘MaxFac’

Julian Jessop
31 May 2018
Research

The case for ‘MaxFac’

IEA releases Brexit briefing on the case for 'MaxFac'

Summary: Of the three current options for UK''s future customs arrangements with the EU, 'MaxFac' has the best chance of making the most of the opportunities created by Brexit. MaxFac isn’t something completely new: it simply means agreeing to keep customs arrangements as streamlined as possible. What’s more, the systems and technologies for MaxFac already exist ... Continue reading
Julian Jessop
31 May 2018
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The impact of WHO food and drink taxes on a typical household

Christopher Snowdon
17 May 2018
Research

The impact of WHO food and drink taxes on a typical household

WHO proposals on sin taxes could increase a British family’s food bills by nearly £500 each year

Summary:  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on governments to raise the price of sugar-sweetened beverages by twenty per cent and to increase taxes on alcohol. It also supports taxes on food that is high in sugar, salt and/or fat. Michael Bloomberg, a WHO Ambassador, has set up the Task Force on Fiscal Policy ... Continue reading
Christopher Snowdon
17 May 2018
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Robocalypse Now?

Len Shackleton
11 May 2018
Research

Robocalypse Now?

Why we shouldn't panic about automation, algorithms and artificial intelligence

Summary: 1. It is claimed that robots, algorithms and artificial intelligence are going to destroy jobs on an unprecedented scale. 2. These developments, unlike past bouts of technical change, threaten rapidly to affect even highly-skilled work and lead to mass unemployment and/or dramatic falls in wages and living standards, while accentuating inequality. 3. As a ... Continue reading
Len Shackleton
11 May 2018
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Nanny State Index 2018: Nicotine Supplement

Christopher Snowdon
8 May 2018
Research

Nanny State Index 2018: Nicotine Supplement

New index shows UK second best place in the EU to be a vaper

Introduction:  The Index tracks over-bearing, paternalistic lifestyle regulation across the EU in four categories: alcohol, e-cigarettes, food/soft drinks and tobacco. Nanny state interventions in these areas are invariably promoted on grounds of health and yet it is difficult to see how clamping down on vaping benefits public health. Paternalistic arguments can be made for interventions ... Continue reading
Christopher Snowdon
8 May 2018
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Improving Global Financial Services Regulation

Catherine McBride and Shanker Singham
4 May 2018
Research

Improving Global Financial Services Regulation

Brexit can improve UK’s financial services industry, argues new report

Introduction:  As the most globally active financial services provider, the UK has the potential to be a key player in helping to develop a more efficient international regulatory framework after it leaves the EU. All entities that have efficient and attractive financial services offerings will benefit from having better global financial services regulation. The UK ... Continue reading
Catherine McBride and Shanker Singham
4 May 2018
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Growing Protectionism after the Financial Crisis

Fabian Wallen & Magnus Wiberg
2 May 2018
Research

Growing Protectionism after the Financial Crisis

Non-tariff barriers must be reduced to tackle unusually weak growth in global trade

Summary:  The weak global GDP growth since the financial crisis in 2007-2009 has coincided with unusually weak growth in global trade. Organisations that monitor international macro-economic development have identified growing protectionism – not least the increase in non-tariff barriers to trade, such as local regulations or subsidies – as a potential cause of the weaker ... Continue reading
Fabian Wallen & Magnus Wiberg
2 May 2018
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Under Control

Victoria Hewson
25 April 2018
Research

Under Control

What HMRC can do to prepare and optimise customs processes for all outcomes

Introduction:  The debate surrounding the United Kingdom leaving the European Union has focussed on negotiations between the parties. But there are many important actions that the UK government can take in preparation for leaving the EU customs union and pursuing an independent trade policy. These include looking at reducing tariffs, reforming agriculture and fisheries policy ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
25 April 2018
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