The impact of COP9 on vapers

Christopher Snowdon
17 June 2021
Research

The impact of COP9 on vapers

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a World Health Organisation (WHO) treaty that has a Secretariat which holds a biennial Conference of the Parties (COP) to discuss tobacco control issues. Despite the treaty’s commitment to tobacco harm reduction, the WHO and FCTC secretariat have never embraced e-cigarettes but have instead called for excessive ... Continue reading
Christopher Snowdon
17 June 2021
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Ad Break: Why Curbs on Advertising Harm Free Speech

J. R. Shackleton
2 June 2021
Research

Ad Break: Why Curbs on Advertising Harm Free Speech

Summary Advertising – ‘commercial speech’ - is a form of communication which brings considerable benefits to the economy and society, and restrictions on it need clear justification. Until the mid-1950s advertising was for the most part unregulated, subject only to laws relating to fraud and defamation which also affect other forms of speech. Since then, ... Continue reading
J. R. Shackleton
2 June 2021
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Grounds for debate: The challenges to free speech in universities

Dr Stephen Davies
26 May 2021
Research

Grounds for debate: The challenges to free speech in universities

Summary There is currently much concern with questions of freedom of speech and expression, much of it focused on the appearance of so-called ‘wokeness’ and its manifestations in corporate life, the media, and (most notably) the academy. Historically the idea of free expression was seen as dangerous or a heresy. But this has changed over ... Continue reading
Dr Stephen Davies
26 May 2021
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PRESS RELEASE

More harm than good? The perils of regulating online content

Victoria Hewson
7 May 2021
Research

More harm than good? The perils of regulating online content

Summary Online communication and sharing of user generated content have become part of everyday life, but have long worried governments, which have sought to monitor and gain access for reasons of security and crime prevention. Until recently, digital platforms were considered to be socially beneficial, and legal measures were passed in jurisdictions including the EU ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
7 May 2021
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UK Debt in Perspective

Professor Forrest Capie and Professor Geoffrey Wood
3 May 2021
Research

UK Debt in Perspective

Summary National debt figures need perspective. This can come from viewing them as a ratio to national income. That ratio has surged in the last 20 years. But despite many assertions, the debt-to-income ratios of the past few years are not unprecedented. When the ratio reached such peaks in the past, much concern was expressed. ... Continue reading
Professor Forrest Capie and Professor Geoffrey Wood
3 May 2021
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Modern Monetary Theory: Why it can’t provide sustained economic growth and low inflation

Dr Juan Castañeda
28 April 2021
Research

Modern Monetary Theory: Why it can’t provide sustained economic growth and low inflation

Summary Since March 2020, central banks in major economies have been (partially) monetising government deficits through the purchase of a significant part of the new debt issued by the government. In the UK, this has resulted in the rate of growth of money broadly-defined (M4) reaching an extraordinary 14 per cent in 2020. Advocates of ... Continue reading
Dr Juan Castañeda
28 April 2021
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PRESS RELEASE

An Introduction to Democracy

Dr Eamonn Butler
27 April 2021
Research

An Introduction to Democracy

What is democracy? How does it work? What are its strengths – and its shortcomings? Two-thirds of the world’s population, in over 100 countries, live under governments that claim to be democratic. Yet few of those governments live up to the ideals of democracy, or respect its key principles and institutions. Here, author Eamonn Butler ... Continue reading
Dr Eamonn Butler
27 April 2021
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Eastern Promise: Assessing the Future of UK-India Trade

Shanker Singham
22 April 2021
Research

Eastern Promise: Assessing the Future of UK-India Trade

Summary India is at a crossroads. As the UK’s Prime Minister prepares to meet Indian leaders virtually, he promises an Enhanced Trade Partnership, possibly leading to a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA). There are important commercial reasons for this agreement, but perhaps more importantly, there are powerful geopolitical reasons. India could be brought into an ... Continue reading
Shanker Singham
22 April 2021
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PRESS RELEASE

Shadow Monetary Policy Committee votes seven votes to two to hold Bank Rate in May

13 April 2021
Research

Shadow Monetary Policy Committee votes seven votes to two to hold Bank Rate in May

At its April 2021 meeting, once again by video conferencing, the Shadow Monetary Policy (SMPC) voted by seven votes to two to hold the bank rate at 0.1%. As in the January meeting, there was unanimous agreement that the last round of QE announced in November last year was unnecessary and risked stoking inflation. All ... Continue reading
13 April 2021
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Who Regulates the Regulators? The Financial Ombudsman Service

Victoria Hewson
31 March 2021
Research

Who Regulates the Regulators? The Financial Ombudsman Service

Summary While not formally a regulator in the strict sense, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) exercises de facto regulatory powers in retail financial services, as its rules and determinations direct the behaviours of firms. While intended to be independent, the FOS has a close relationship with the Financial Conduct Authority. Ombudsmen, however, have considerable discretion ... Continue reading
Victoria Hewson
31 March 2021
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PRESS RELEASE