One of the insights of the Public Choice School of economics is that voting groups with more homogenous interests will … Continue reading “Granny bonds: Politicians must stop buying votes with subsidies for the old and rich”

I’d just arrived in the office when the telephone rang. The enraged caller let rip in a ten-minute diatribe before … Continue reading “It’s time to abolish universal benefits for pensioners – but expect a backlash”

Apparently, the Labour Party is performing a U-turn on universal benefits, or at least on the Winter Fuel Payment. So … Continue reading “End universal benefits, and reduce complexity”

There are a number of theories about why government spending in developed countries has such a persistent upward tendency, only … Continue reading “The fiscal illusion: is this why Owen Jones defends benefits for wealthy pensioners?”

In very cautious terms, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has questioned the current set of universal benefits for the elderly. … Continue reading “Clegg is half right on universal old-age benefits”

This week, Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP described the views of the authors of Sharing the burden – How the … Continue reading “The seen and the unseen – benefits, and the taxes used to finance them”

Reform have today launched a report calling for the end of middle class benefits to stave off increases in tax. … Continue reading “End of entitlement – for the middle classes…”