Fears of privatising the NHS are stopping us from saving our health service – and lives Matthew Lesh The United Kingdom is becoming a health service with a country attached. The National Health Service is on track to command almost half of all state spending. For all that, British healthcare outcomes come in at the bottom of the pack among comparable western European countries. Waiting lists are the biggest issue facing the NHS, [...]
DEBATE: Should the government introduce legislation to ensure business is a force for good? Martin Bunch, Managing Partner at Bates Wells says Yes The Companies Act as it stands doesn’t get in the way of good corporate practice, but neither does it actively encourage corporations to embrace their responsibilities to wider society and the planet. The Better Business Act aims to amend the Companies Act and embed commitment to [...]
DEBATE: Is Universal Credit fit for purpose? Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions says NO Universal Credit has failed on its own terms. It is not offering a route out of hardship instead it is perpetuating a cycle of debt and destitution that is hurting our economy. The system starts people off in debt through the five week-wait, [...]
Greta is wrong, environmentalists need markets to protect the planet June 29, 2020 Free market advocates have too often vacated the environmental battlefield. And they have been scared off for good reasons. At best, climate politics is dominated by those who see little to no role at all for markets. At worst, environmentalism is a thinly disguised excuse for advocating far-left economic and social policies. Some have labelled [...]
DEBATE: Is now really the time to be focusing on tariff-free trade with Australia? June 18, 2020 Is now really the time to be focusing on tariff-free trade with Australia? Matthew Lesh, head of research at the Adam Smith Institute, says YES. The launch of the UK-Australia trade talks this week are an important opportunity for a global Britain. Britain abandoned her antipodean cousins by joining the European Economic Community in 1973. [...]
Spending like a drunken sailor does not create a thriving entrepreneurial economy March 13, 2020 “If I announced that Budget, the Tories would be jumping up and down,” shadow chancellor John McDonnell said with a smirk yesterday morning. Indeed, Wednesday’s Budget is the biggest giveaway of taxpayer money since 1992. Borrowing will increase by £125bn. Debt will reach a record high at £2 trillion. There was some good news for [...]
Free the e-scooters and unleash a British transport revolution February 6, 2020 The e-scooter revolution is happening at breathtaking speeds — but because of archaic laws, the United Kingdom is missing out. E-scooters can be legally purchased in Britain, and have become an increasingly common sight on the streets. They are, however, unlawful for use on public roads, cycle paths and pavements under the Highways Act 1835 [...]
Debate: Is the re-election of Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister good news for Canada? October 23, 2019 Is the re-election of Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister good news for Canada? Yes – Dr Joe Zammit-Lucia is a co-founder and trustee of Radix, the think tank for the radical centre. Both Justin Trudeau’s re-election and the fact that he will not command a majority are good news for Canada. Canada is essentially a [...]
DEBATE: In the midst of commuter outrage over fare hikes, is rail nationalisation the answer? August 15, 2019 In the midst of commuter outrage over fare hikes, is rail nationalisation the answer? Cat Hobbs, director of We Own It, says YES. Another year, another eye-watering rail fare hike, with the annual cost of getting to work likely to rise by over £100 for many commuters. And it’s no wonder passengers are angry. We’re [...]
DEBATE: Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? July 24, 2019 Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? Maria Smith, founding director at Interrobang and chief curator of the 2019 Oslo Architecture Triennale, says YES. Our current economic system relies on growth to manage private and public debt. This means that we must grow, whether we’re healthier and happier, or damaging [...]
