Never forget the undeniable moral case for capitalism Economics Critics of capitalism describe it as immoral. In pointing to subjective (and sometimes objective) examples of unethical or harmful behaviour they conclude that capitalism is the enabling or even necessary force. Others, in so far as they stop to think about it, may conclude that the free-market system is amoral; that it is utterly indifferent [...]
Gary Stevenson is predictably wrong about wealth taxes Opinion Wealth taxes, as promoted by the likes of Gary Stevenson and Zack Polanski, are a terrible idea. Let’s make Britain rich instead, says Kristian Niemietz Wealth taxes are currently all the rage. Over the past few years, a massive hype has built up around the idea: 75 per cent of the public say they support [...]
Voters tell Reeves: Cut taxes and energy costs to boost ‘poor’ UK economy Economics British voters want Rachel Reeves to cut taxes and reduce energy costs in order to focus on growth as a majority of people felt the UK economy was “poor”, new research has shown. Polling by Freshwater Strategy for the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a free market think tank, suggested that the vast majority of [...]
Public officials ‘not truthful’ about ‘fantasy’ net zero costs January 13, 2026 Net zero is set to cost the UK economy billions of pounds more than public officials estimate, a new report has suggested, raising questions over the supposed savings to be made from the energy transition for households and businesses. A new paper published by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free market think tank, has [...]
The Debate: Is pre-Budget speculation helpful? November 26, 2025 We want to write it, you want to read it, but is pre-Budget speculation actually helpful? We put two experts head to head.
FCA’s diversity requirements go ‘far beyond remit’, report warns October 21, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other public sector diversity initiatives go “far beyond” remits set by legal requirements, a report has warned, prompting Reform UK to vow to reset systems to reward “talent and merit alone”. Analysis in a paper by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has suggested that diversity policies advanced by [...]
Former Margaret Thatcher adviser and top lobbyist Kevin Bell dies September 11, 2025 One of Margaret Thatcher’s advisers and a well-known City figure, Kevin Bell, has died. Bell, who died aged 68, was an influential lobbyist and respected among conservative thinkers across Westminster. He led campaign groups and public affairs giants throughout his career, heading up the likes of Fleishman-Hillard and Maitland Political. Bell was also worldwide president [...]
Solar panels must be fitted on all new homes from 2027 in net zero push May 1, 2025 New rules will mandate that housebuilders fit solar panels on the roofs of almost every new-build home from 2027, in a move slammed as an “ideological crusade”. According to a report in The Times, the policy change would add around £3,300 to the cost of building a semi-detached or terraced house, with a £4,000 premium [...]
“Older and poorer” – the UK’s future? September 19, 2024 The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said last week that the UK risks becoming “a country with an NHS attached.” Coming from a Labour MP this constitutes admirable candour. The problem is, we’re long past that point already. The NHS is by far the biggest employer in the country (over two million people) with a budget [...]
Serious Fraud Office ‘should be replaced with a new body’, say IEA August 23, 2024 The UK anti-fraud agency should be replaced with a new body dedicated to combating economic crime, says a new paper by think tank IEA