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Expert analysis on the economic impact of Covid-19
Coronavirus highlights the shortcomings of the NHS
The NHS Confederation this week raised concerns about the health service’s ability to cope with a second wave and a … Continue reading “Coronavirus highlights the shortcomings of the NHS”
Sweden has made the case for lockdown a much harder sell
“Lockdowns were introduced because it was believed that they were the only way to prevent cases spiralling out of control” … Continue reading “Sweden has made the case for lockdown a much harder sell”
We should not be afraid to keep asking whether the Covid restrictions are worth it
Restrictions are “hurting families and businesses” and could be doing more harm than good, warned IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop. … Continue reading “We should not be afraid to keep asking whether the Covid restrictions are worth it”
You had one job: The shortcomings of Public Health England and the World Health Organization during the Covid-19 pandemic
Summary The World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE) have been widely criticised for their response to the … Continue reading “You had one job: The shortcomings of Public Health England and the World Health Organization during the Covid-19 pandemic”
The response to the pandemic: A Hayekian view
Summary Socio-economic systems should be understood as ‘complex’ phenomena that cannot effectively be controlled or managed through central planning. In … Continue reading “The response to the pandemic: A Hayekian view”
Freight Expectations
Summary The World Trade Organization has predicted that global trade in goods will drop by between 13 and 32 per … Continue reading “Freight Expectations”
Chinese puzzle: A classical liberal approach to post-pandemic relations with China
Summary Covid–19 is provoking a major reorientation of the foreign policy of the US and Europe. At the heart of … Continue reading “Chinese puzzle: A classical liberal approach to post-pandemic relations with China”
Re-examining the UK’s Higher Education system for a post-Covid era
Writing for Reaction, the IEA’s Director of Communications, Annabel Denham argues that “Covid-19 will force us to re-examine HE’s nature, … Continue reading “Re-examining the UK’s Higher Education system for a post-Covid era”
A Covid inquiry will be a “painful and controversial”
“The Covid inquiry will be a painful and controversial process which will satisfy nobody” says Professor Len Shackleton, IEA Editorial … Continue reading “A Covid inquiry will be a “painful and controversial””
Coronavirus and the economic value of human life
Summary The Covid-19 crisis has provided many grim examples of some familiar problems in health economics and cost-benefit analysis, and … Continue reading “Coronavirus and the economic value of human life”
Inflation: The next threat?
Summary The policy reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic will increase budget deficits massively in all the world’s leading countries. The … Continue reading “Inflation: The next threat?”
Rebooting Britain
Summary The uncertainty created by the Covid-19 crisis has reinvigorated many old debates about the role of the state. Some … Continue reading “Rebooting Britain”
C-19: Redefining the state of welfare?
Summary Major crises such as wars and pandemics (such as the 1918-19 Spanish Flu) have often been the occasion for … Continue reading “C-19: Redefining the state of welfare?”
There’s nothing wrong with trying to put a monetary value on a human life
The IEA has just published a new Covid-19 Briefing Paper that I have written, Coronavirus and the Economic Value of … Continue reading “There’s nothing wrong with trying to put a monetary value on a human life”
Post-coronavirus, how should the West approach China?
Covid–19 has done more than cause a medical and economic crisis. It is provoking a major reorientation of the foreign … Continue reading “Post-coronavirus, how should the West approach China?”
Is the lockdown worth it?
Toby Young has been given plenty of stick for an article which asked whether the UK government has overreacted to … Continue reading “Is the lockdown worth it?”
We must learn from coronavirus for future pandemics
Pandemics are nothing new and we should use the experience of coronavirus “as a warning sign and prepare to manage … Continue reading “We must learn from coronavirus for future pandemics”
The history of pandemics suggests Covid will be with us for the long-term
The traits of coronavirus are “exacerbated by features of contemporary society” but society also offers us some tools to tackle … Continue reading “The history of pandemics suggests Covid will be with us for the long-term”
Pandemic second wave would have “massive long-term” impacts, says IEA expert
Covid-19 would have “massive long-term social, economic and psychological effects” according to a new IEA report covered by the i … Continue reading “Pandemic second wave would have “massive long-term” impacts, says IEA expert”
Covid-19 Across Europe
How is lockdown being regarded by the wider population? What are the economic packages governments are offering? Who is publicly … Continue reading “Covid-19 Across Europe”
There is life in the high street yet
Coronavirus will not necessarily contribute to the downfall of the high street and the picture is more complex, says Annabel … Continue reading “There is life in the high street yet”
Financial transaction tax “seriously counterproductive” to economic recovery
As Angela Merkel sets out Germany’s priorities for its presidency of the Council of the European Union, Victoria Hewson said … Continue reading “Financial transaction tax “seriously counterproductive” to economic recovery”
Can economists play a role in the coronavirus recovery? with Paul Ormerod
The UK Government’s actions to fight COVID-19 was first headed by the behavioural insight team, where it was believed that … Continue reading “Can economists play a role in the coronavirus recovery? with Paul Ormerod”
Pandemic is no excuse for more central planning
Civil society and businesses have stepped in where centrally planned government has failed, says Professor Philip Booth, Senior Academic Fellow … Continue reading “Pandemic is no excuse for more central planning”
Pandemic highlighting unnecessary red tape that is now being cut back
We should question why it has taken a pandemic to identify regulation, especially in healthcare, that are holding people back … Continue reading “Pandemic highlighting unnecessary red tape that is now being cut back”
#IEAsolation Episode 5: Covid-19: Should China pay the price?
In the fifth episode of the #IEAsolation series, the panel consider the conduct of the Chinese government in the weeks … Continue reading “#IEAsolation Episode 5: Covid-19: Should China pay the price?”
The impact of lockdowns on the labour force participation of older workers
The continuing lockdown is going to have a devastating effect on the livelihood of many groups in the population. Attention … Continue reading “The impact of lockdowns on the labour force participation of older workers”
‘The Impact of Coronavirus on Populism and Democracy’ with Karin Svanborg-Sjövall
Across Europe and the World we have seen drastically different responses to the Coronavirus crisis. Around a third of the … Continue reading “‘The Impact of Coronavirus on Populism and Democracy’ with Karin Svanborg-Sjövall”
NHS workers should be wary of NHS populism
One of insights of UK political strategists of all stripes has been the necessity of paying homage to the idea … Continue reading “NHS workers should be wary of NHS populism”
Mark Littlewood on what we can learn from Covid-19: The Definite Article Episode 1
Welcome to the first of our new The Definite Article show with Director General Mark Littlewood. We discussed live Mark’s … Continue reading “Mark Littlewood on what we can learn from Covid-19: The Definite Article Episode 1”
Pandemic a chase to learn from other countries best practice, says Littlewood
One “small upside” of the coronavirus pandemic will be the data gathered and we must use this to improve the … Continue reading “Pandemic a chase to learn from other countries best practice, says Littlewood”
Lockdown limbo: Which way out? – #IEAsolation Episode 4
The UK is nearing the end of the initial 3-week lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but there is … Continue reading “Lockdown limbo: Which way out? – #IEAsolation Episode 4”
The History and Economics of Global Pandemics
The Coronavirus pandemic has already had a major impact, in Britain and around the world. The question though is what … Continue reading “The History and Economics of Global Pandemics”
#IEAsolation Episode 2: Thatcherism under fire: Can the ideology survive COVID-19?
The media got very excited yesterday about a line in Boris Johnson’s recent video update, where he says the country’s … Continue reading “#IEAsolation Episode 2: Thatcherism under fire: Can the ideology survive COVID-19?”
Coronomics, with Dr Steve Davies
Covid-19 is threatening lives and economies across the globe. As the UK government enforces social distancing to slow the spread … Continue reading “Coronomics, with Dr Steve Davies”
#IEAsolation episode 1: The mad rules waived because of the coronavirus!
INTRODUCING… #IEAsolation! The IEA’s thinkers, economists and spokespeople are isolated along with the rest of the country, but that hasn’t … Continue reading “#IEAsolation episode 1: The mad rules waived because of the coronavirus!”
Accusations of “politicising” the pandemic use “sloppy logic”
“Whenever a crisis of any sort comes along, you can bet your bottom dollar people will start accusing other people … Continue reading “Accusations of “politicising” the pandemic use “sloppy logic””
UBI-style cash payments for individuals would “go some way” to helping households stay afloat
In normal times, cash payments regardless of individual need would be too expensive, poorly targeted, and distortionary, says IEA Economics … Continue reading “UBI-style cash payments for individuals would “go some way” to helping households stay afloat”
Some classical liberal thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic
Apart from concerns for our neighbours, friends, families and mankind, it goes without saying that the current pandemic and the … Continue reading “Some classical liberal thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic”
The economics of panic buying
No-one can have failed to notice the half-empty supermarket shelves and long queues for essentials. Loo rolls even rivalled flowers … Continue reading “The economics of panic buying”
The government should keep some Covid measures
“Although there are ominous dark clouds gathering, there are already a small number of silver linings that might help in … Continue reading “The government should keep some Covid measures”
“Corona ’95”: what if the Coronavirus had hit us 25 years earlier?
I promise that this isn’t one of those schmaltzy “Look on the bright side”/”There is a silver lining to all … Continue reading ““Corona ’95”: what if the Coronavirus had hit us 25 years earlier?”
The Job Retention Scheme needs “more tweaking” says IEA expert
With businesses ordered to close and workers to self-isolate, the government is attempting to protect the wages of those impacted … Continue reading “The Job Retention Scheme needs “more tweaking” says IEA expert”
COVID-19 will have long-term impacts on mental health. Are we prepared for that?
The COVID-19 pandemic is delivering a deep, severe shock to the global economy. Millions of people face an uncertain future, with no idea when (or, indeed, if) … Continue reading “COVID-19 will have long-term impacts on mental health. Are we prepared for that?”
Nobody has been ‘vindicated’ by Covid
Economic nationalists and “communitarians” who are feeling vindicated by the coronavirus pandemic, claiming globalisation is responsible for its spread, are … Continue reading “Nobody has been ‘vindicated’ by Covid”
The costs and benefits of coronavirus policies need to be weighed
The government has said it will “do whatever it takes” over the coronavirus outbreak. That might have been thought to … Continue reading “The costs and benefits of coronavirus policies need to be weighed”
Homeworking revolution mainly for the privileged, says IEA expert
For the “great majority” of those locked-down at home, normal working is impossible, writes IEA Editorial and Research Fellow Prof … Continue reading “Homeworking revolution mainly for the privileged, says IEA expert”
Pass the Remote
In recent years there has been a trend towards greater incidence of homeworking. This has been driven by enhanced technological … Continue reading “Pass the Remote”
A home working revolution? Not so fast
Studies show working from home can have a positive effect on productivity and lead to a reduction in sick leave … Continue reading “A home working revolution? Not so fast”
How should we pay for all this extra government spending?
Every pillar of a free society is under threat during the current pandemic. To avoid bad long-term economic outcomes and … Continue reading “How should we pay for all this extra government spending?”
Is the lockdown worth it?
Toby Young has been given plenty of stick for an article which asked whether the UK government has overreacted to … Continue reading “Is the lockdown worth it?”
We need to look again at National Insurance
Although eligibility for benefits retains a small element of the contributory principle “national insurance contributions are now, to all intents … Continue reading “We need to look again at National Insurance”
IEA Director General cautions against big government
When once in a blue moon events such as coronavirus occur, it is right that government does all it can … Continue reading “IEA Director General cautions against big government”
Covid-19 is an opportunity the nanny statists have seized, says Snowdon
Public health groups have quickly realised “the public are willing to temporarily sacrifice liberty for safety” and seized the opportunity … Continue reading “Covid-19 is an opportunity the nanny statists have seized, says Snowdon”
Corona trade-offs: some issues with “test, test, test” and “track and trace”
This past week, testing for Covid-19, or the lack of it, has been the main focus of criticism of the … Continue reading “Corona trade-offs: some issues with “test, test, test” and “track and trace””
WHO should be “reformed or replaced”
The WHO has been criticised for mishandling epidemics before, but it’s response to Covid-19 has been “dangerously inept and often … Continue reading “WHO should be “reformed or replaced””
In defence of “short selling”
It is understandable that some people are on the lookout for villains to blame in this time of national crisis … Continue reading “In defence of “short selling””
The WHO ignored “real health crises” says IEA’s Annabel Denham
While the WHO is blameless for the initiation of the coronavirus crisis, it is clear that the WHO has “repeatedly … Continue reading “The WHO ignored “real health crises” says IEA’s Annabel Denham”
Will COVID-19 prepare us for permanent eco-austerity?
The green Left are very excited by the pandemic. As well as limiting population growth, a long-held ambition of their … Continue reading “Will COVID-19 prepare us for permanent eco-austerity?”
World Health Organization should “drop obsessions with political correctness”
Donald Trump’s withdrawing of funding from the World Health Organisation could kick start long overdue reform and “[the] WHO should … Continue reading “World Health Organization should “drop obsessions with political correctness””
Britain’s covid performance no international high flyer, says Niemietz
The question of which healthcare systems have coped best with the coronavirus is a crucial one, but “the sacred status … Continue reading “Britain’s covid performance no international high flyer, says Niemietz”
The case against price controls during the pandemic
Periods of economic crisis are a breeding ground for all sorts of “populist” ideas, often ones that have been discarded … Continue reading “The case against price controls during the pandemic”
IEA Debate: Is the UK government right to extend the lockdown for 3 more weeks?
YES – says Julian Jessop Extending the lockdown for a further three weeks is unlikely to make a huge difference … Continue reading “IEA Debate: Is the UK government right to extend the lockdown for 3 more weeks?”