IEA Featured Research

International trade has created a highly interdependent world. Everyday products – such as phones, trainers or cars – are designed, manufactured and assembled across several different countries, by countless different companies, both large and small, involving millions of people of all nationalities, creeds and cultures. We take much of this creativity and competition for granted. ... Continue reading

Summary The government is misleading Parliament and the public over the cost to the taxpayer of public sector pensions. This takes the form of the government reporting its pensions cost in a different way from that required by pension regulations in the private sector. A discretionary cost method of calculation is used to determine what ... Continue reading

SUMMARY The Climate Change Committee was established by the Climate Change Act 2008 to advise government on climate policies, in particular with respect to carbon budgets and emissions targets for the period up to 2050. It has successfully delivered the required advice and reports and become widely respected. Governments have generally followed its advice on ... Continue reading

Introduction by Dehenna Davison MP Reinvigorating the parts of the country that have become known as ‘left-behind Britain’ is one of the most pressing issues facing us today. And, as both a northerner and an MP for a red wall seat, it’s a problem that’s particularly close to my heart. That’s why I was delighted ... Continue reading

SUMMARY Platforms are institutions that solve the problems of delivering a good or service, of clearing payments, and of creating trust between buyer and seller. In the past two decades, the physical locations in which transactions take place, such as the city market or shopping centre, have increasingly been replaced by online platforms. The platform ... Continue reading

Summary The UK is incorporating the precautionary principle into domestic law. This should be balanced with an innovation principle. Innovation is vital for economic growth and prosperity. But there are widespread concerns that badly designed and targeted regulation holds back innovation, due in part to excessive restrictions brought about by misapplication of the precautionary principle. ... Continue reading