The tampon tax isn’t the problem — our warped VAT system is December 5, 2019 Last week, Boris Johnson promised to scrap the so-called “tampon tax” — the VAT levied on feminine hygiene products. The current VAT regime, which dates back to the 1970s, cannot be changed while Britain remains in the EU. Feminists and progressives have long argued that such a tax is unfair and sexist, so scrapping it [...]
It may be popular, but scrapping hospital parking charges would be a total disaster November 28, 2019 Amid myriad headline-grabbing proposals, you might have missed Labour’s promise to scrap hospital parking charges. This is exactly the kind of local, community-based policy that is likely to win votes — but it is a mistake. They might not be popular, but these car parking charges are actually a good thing. First, the charges bring [...]
The Conservatives’ U-turn on corporate tax rates is a mistake November 20, 2019 The big announcement to come out of Boris Johnson’s appearance before the CBI on Monday was that the Tories are abandoning planned a reduction in the corporation tax rate from 19 per cent to 17 per cent. The reasoning behind this is that the tax cut was expected to cost the government £6bn, which Boris [...]
Tax cuts could do for our economy today what the Reformation did 502 years ago October 31, 2019 On this day in 1517, German monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of All Saints’ church in Wittenberg. In so doing, Luther set in motion a series of events which would have a dramatic impact on the political landscape of Europe, transform the economy, and alter the lives of ordinary people [...]
Time’s up: Ending the tyranny of clock-changing would make us a richer, happier nation October 25, 2019 It’s that time of year again where the government exerts its power over time itself. In the early hours of Sunday morning, British Summer Time (BST) will officially be no more, and the country will return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) until March. Alas – for it would make far more sense to stop changing [...]
Voter ID is a misguided solution to a problem that doesn’t exist October 16, 2019 Out of all the policies revealed in the Queen’s Speech on Monday, one seemingly minor proposal should ring alarm bells: an intention to introduce compulsory voter ID at polling booths. The aim is ostensibly a laudable one. It is important to ensure that elections are secure and fair, and this precaution is meant to tackle [...]
Don’t let the socialists win the argument – capitalists have solutions to inequality too September 13, 2019 Inequality is a hot topic, yet those of us who support free markets are often dismissive of the issue. We (rightly) point out that the most important thing is economic growth – the key driving force behind increasing prosperity for everyone. However, free-marketeers are wrong to see concerns over inequality as the preserve of those [...]
Hey Conservatives, stop attacking Greta Thunberg and come up with better market-led ideas September 5, 2019 Nobody likes being lectured at. Perhaps this aversion explains – although in no way excuses – the sustained attacks on the teenaged climate activist Greta Thunberg by many on the right. Whether it’s vile jokes about her dying at sea or the faux concern about her mental health, anyone who makes such comments should be [...]
From body modification to BDSM, we have no right to police the choices of consenting adults August 23, 2019 Earlier this year, Brendan McCarthy, known as Dr Evil, was sentenced to 40 months in jail for performing consensual body modifications. This included the removal of a nipple and ear, and the splitting of a tongue. The judges ruled that the customers’ written consent to McCarthy did not amount to a defence. “Not my cup [...]
DEBATE: Should Hammond keep the Tory promise and increase the higher-rate tax threshold to £50,000? October 29, 2018 Should Philip Hammond keep the Tory promise and increase the higher-rate tax threshold to £50,000? Ben Ramanauskas, researcher at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, says YES. People earning £45,000 (the current threshold) can no longer be considered wealthy, particularly considering the high cost of living in our major cities. There is a housing crisis in the UK, [...]