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Stamping Down
The Government is currently considering whether or not to reduce stamp duty in the coming months ahead of any election. This new report by Alex Morton argues that stamp duty on homes is a tax on mobility and aspiration, and calls for drastic cuts.
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Budget 2017: The CPS Verdict
The Chancellor's Autumn Budget was overshadowed by the GDP growth forecasts being revised down. Hammond did well to avoid a spending splurge but there was a disappointing lack of action of housing or productivity.
The Great Productivity Squeeze
The British economy is beset by poor productivity - and it is about to start putting a real squeeze on growth. Its effects have been cushioned by high employment, but with few workers left to add to the Labour market, the only way to boost GDP is to improve productivity. With his deficit target under threat from productivity downgrades, the Budget represents the Chancellor's best chance to tackle the problem.
A New Era for Retail Bonds
Rishi Sunak MP calls for the Government to back the creation of a new exchange for SME bonds aimed at everyday savers.
Why Britain Needs More Robots
The Labour Party is wrong to argue against increasing mechanisation. It would impede productivity growth, depress wage growth, and encourage economic activity to relocate.
The Hidden Wiring
The government is quietly risking the UK's electricity supply by abandoning plans to increase capacity at home, instead turning to imports.
Did Clegg create the conditions for Corbyn?
The Liberal Democrats insisted the triple lock for state pensions form part of the Coalition Agreement in 2010. Since then welfare spending on pensioners has gone up by 10% but down 5% for working households, driving young voters towards Labour.
Tuition Fees: A Fairer Formula
The proposed changes to the tuition fees system could lead to higher write-offs and a financial time bomb for taxpayers, concludes a new report by Michael Johnson.
The Medico-Legal Crisis and How to Solve It
The NHS' liabilities for medico-legal claims now total £65bn, draining the NHS of much-needed funds and putting patients at risk by driving GPs out of practice.
The Australian Supermodel: Lessons for the UK
Alexander Downer, Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, says Britain should use the opportunities from Brexit and Australia is eager to begin negotiating a free trade deal.
Strikes in Essential Services: Time for further protection for the public?
Strikes in the "essential services" are banned in most Western economies, apart from in the UK. The government must do more to protect the public from strike action in public services.
Venezuela - No Room for Apologists
Many on the left of British politics celebrate Chavez's reforms and say Venezuela offers "a better way of doing things". This report shows that there is no excuse for Venezuela's defenders: the evidence is clear, the reforms were damaging
Wealthy Graduates: The Winners from Corbyn's Tuition Fees Plan
The election has brought into focus the issue of inter-generational fairness and Labour's solution is abolishing tuition fees. Daniel Mahoney argues that is regressive and benefits wealthy graduates most.
Reinforcing Automatic Enrolment
The early response to automatic enrolment has been positive but the government can still do more to encourage saving, especially for the young and the self-employed.
Abandoning austerity is no solution
Recent calls to lift the public sector pay cap have been gaining traction but Mahoney and Knox argue this mustn't be funded through higher taxes or further borrowing.
Offering the Young a Good Deal
The General Election showed a huge inter-generational divide with Corbyn's Labour being more popular than the Conservatives up to age 49. How should the Conservatives respond?