The economist Julian Simon once wrote that ‘the economic study of advertising is not deserving of great attention’, ruefully adding … Continue reading “‘Advertising in a Free Society’ revisited”

Ofgem has referred the retail energy market for investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This is the right … Continue reading “There is a problem in the UK’s energy market – but it’s the regulator’s fault”

England, Wales and Northern Ireland are unique in that the provision of school examinations is not a state monopoly. When … Continue reading “We need more competition between exam boards, not less”

There is no shortage of those on both sides of the political spectrum queuing up to excoriate big business. The … Continue reading “Big businesses – voice or choice?”

In health policy, a good rule of thumb for distinguishing nonsense from arguments that deserve a hearing is to ask … Continue reading “A false dichotomy: competition vs. integration in the NHS”

Ofgem, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will shortly issue an assessment of … Continue reading “Forget energy companies: blame the regulator for distorting competition”

In a new book entitled Pensions: Policies, New Reforms and Current Challenges, there is a chapter by two authors who … Continue reading “Contracting-out: it would work in healthcare, too”

Today Ed Miliband made a speech on policy in UK banking. There is much wrong with that market and important reforms should … Continue reading “Memo to Ed Miliband – you cannot regulate your way to competition”

Next year, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the former Competition Commission (CC) will be unified. The old joke … Continue reading “Competition policy – physician heal thyself”