Developer:   Hello, I would like to apply for planning permission for a residential development just out of town. Planner:   Forget … Continue reading “Why brownfield development is overrated”

To deal with the problem of escalating rents, Ed Miliband plans to introduce what amounts to a variation of ‘second … Continue reading “Why Miliband’s rent control plan isn’t just some harmless gimmick”

The coalition is considering plans to loosen the rules governing the development of new infrastructure, fracking sites, and potentially housing, … Continue reading “How Britain can fix its Nimby problem”

Pay growth at 1.7 per cent, inflation at 1.6 per cent on the consumer price index (CPI), real wages increasing. … Continue reading “The cost of living crisis isn’t over – but Ed Miliband still won’t solve it”

Econometric literature is notorious for its inconclusiveness. Even for seemingly straightforward issues such as the impact of minimum wage laws, … Continue reading “Planning reform must be a key ingredient in an anti-poverty package”

‘Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.’ – Mark Twain The UK economy is beset by three compounding problems: no growth, … Continue reading “The case for a land-value tax”

The previous government made the mistake of trying to reduce poverty without paying attention to the supply side factors driving … Continue reading “Fiddling with Housing Benefit won’t solve the cost explosion”

Last week saw a violent confrontation between gypsies/travellers and the police as the former were evicted from an illegal camp site … Continue reading “Gypsies, land use planning and the tyranny of social democracy”