02 September 2010
press releases
> full list of press releases, by title
> full list of press releases, by date
To contact an IEA Commentator on any economic issue please contact Ruth Porter on 020 7799 8920 or e-mail rporter@iea.org.uk
last twelve months
Latest ONS figures show need to keep cutting spending27 August 2010 Mark Littlewood comments on the latest growth figures |
Britain’s actual debt stands at £4.8 trillion20 August 2010 Mark Littlewood comments on the latest national debt figure |
Financial markets should be left to regulate themselves04 August 2010 New research from the IEA looks at statutory regulation, private regulation and financial markets |
Regional stock exchanges should only be the first step26 July 2010 Philip Booth argues in favour of the idea outlined in today’s Green Paper from BIS |
Big Society needs government to do less19 July 2010 Responding to David Cameron’s speech on the Big Society Mark Littlewood calls on the Prime Minister to outline what the government will stop doing |
Government must act now on public sector pensions07 July 2010 The Public Sector Pensions Commission, set up by the IEA and other organisations, launches its report |
Substantial public sector job losses desperately needed30 June 2010 IEA responds to job cuts forecast by Treasury |
£113bn spending “cuts” a good start, but not enough23 June 2010 The IEA responds to the emergency budget |
Urgent action needed21 June 2010 Philip Booth responds to John Hutton's appointment to the government’s pensions commission |
UK’s true national debt £4.8 trillion14 June 2010 The IEA's latest report is profiled on Sky, in the Daily Mail and City AM |
Radical reform of university funding is long overdue10 June 2010 Mark Littlewood calls for radical reform to bring more flexibility in university pricing |
Britain should follow Canada and cut £140bn from public spending07 June 2010 Mark Littlewood calls for 20% across the board spending cuts to reduce deficit |
Forcing banks to lend will be a huge error03 June 2010 IEA responds to plans laid out by the Business Secretary |
Preposterous to suggest minimum pricing for alcohol02 June 2010 IEA press release responding to NICE recommendation for minimum alcohol price |
Conservatives must allow ‘for-profit’ schools01 June 2010 IEA calls for schools to be able to make a profit in order to advance educational goals |
Calling on the coalition to think again27 May 2010 Increase in Capital Gains Tax will cause unnecessary economic harm to investors |
£6 billion only a small step in the right direction24 May 2010 The IEA comments on the cuts announced by Osborne |
The IEA criticises proposals to double Capital Gains Tax18 May 2010 Capital Gains Tax doubling could reduce the supply of affordable housing and encourage companies to take on more debt |
Utterly irresponsible government spending has to stop17 May 2010 The IEA responds to George Osborne's economic plans |
Tuition fee pledge is unrealistic and unfair27 April 2010 Mark Littlewood responds to the NUS pledge being signed by political candidates |
Latest growth figures add to woes for the UK economy23 April 2010 Reducing taxes will increase growth |
The IEA is delighted that Prof. James Tooley has won the 2010 Fisher Prize22 April 2010 Tooley's work demonstrates powerfully the importance of the free market in education |
IMF’s bank tax proposals a licence for governments to raise taxes21 April 2010 Philip Booth suggests a better plan |
Financial incentives must be part of organ donation system20 April 2010 Response to consultation |
Premier League are right to challenge Ofcom ruling16 April 2010 The IEA asserts that undue regulation by Ofcom over provision of sport on TV will harm British sport |
The IEA responds to the Conservatives' manifesto13 April 2010 If the Conservatives’ commitment to devolution of power is real, where are the big spending cuts and tax breaks? |
Better public services requires devolving power, not more targets and guarantees12 April 2010 The IEA responds to plans in Labour's manifesto |
New IEA report shows the next government must cut spending11 April 2010 Cuts of £167bn needed to avoid tax rises under the next government |
Conservative National Citizen Service plans contradictory08 April 2010 Proposals announced today 'big government, not big society' |
Support for bank levy sends the wrong message01 April 2010 Call from France and Germany to introduce levy on banks hardly a positive step |
Ridiculous of Ofcom to command SKY to cut prices31 March 2010 Mark Littlewood comments on Ofcom’s demand that SKY sell SKY Sports 1 and 2 for less than their current price |
Budget predictably fails to get to grips with scale of crisis24 March 2010 Next government must introduce radical cuts |
Budget needs to set out urgent plan to reduce deficit by £100bn23 March 2010 Radical overhaul of welfare state required |
High government spending jeopardising recovery18 March 2010 Large budget deficits crowding out private sector |
Tax-related red tape costs British business £20 billion a year17 February 2010 Compliance costs highest for small enterprises |
Brown’s policies destroying economic freedom19 January 2010 UK loses top-ten ranking in respected global index |
Chancellor is wrong on bankers' bonuses and has ducked the tough decisions09 December 2009 Mark Littlewood and Philip Booth on the 2009 Pre-Budget Report |
£2 billion per annum is being wasted on the government's flagship skills programme03 November 2009 New study criticises the UK's further education system |
Price-level targeting would improve economic stability25 September 2009 The value of money would be more predictable in the long term |
Brown's policies taking heavy toll on economic freedom14 September 2009 Increasing government intervention threatens Britain's long-term prosperity |
Obama repeating mistakes of Great Depression07 September 2009 Interventionist policies are undermining the growth potential of the US economy |
catch up
SMPC supports continuation of quantitative easing - August 200903 August 2009 Bank rate should be held at 0.5% |
How English universities could learn from the American higher education system15 July 2009 Universities should be freed from bureaucratic state control to create a British 'Ivy League' |
Islam is compatible with a free economy, argue Muslim scholars25 June 2009 Liberty, contracts and private property are universal values |
Government’s Profligate Fiscal Policies Likely to Lead to 1970s-Style Stagflation10 June 2009 UK faces deficit crisis |
Britain must become the Quebec of Europe to derail EU centralisation02 June 2009 Urgent reforms necessary to preserve key freedoms |
SMPC votes to continue with quantitative easing but calls for explicit exit strategy05 May 2009 Rates should be held at 0.5% |
The Bank of England should be privatised26 March 2009 Brown's regulatory reforms contributed to the financial crisis |
PPPs may offer poor value for money, argues study19 March 2009 Projects have been plagued by political interference and high transaction costs |
EU regions are now poorer than parts of Africa05 February 2009 Reform is needed in the old industrial and agricultural areas of 'New Europe' |
SMPC repeats call for quantitative easing - February 200903 February 2009 Further rate cuts would have little effect |
Singapore points the way to better healthcare07 January 2009 Market-based systems benefit patients |
IEA report condemns World Bank "pension privatisation" model05 December 2008 State intervention in pension provision has been disastrous |
Pension debts could bankrupt the British government26 November 2008 Author estimates public debt at £4.1 trillion |
SMPC votes to cut rates by 0.5% - November 200803 November 2008 Members expect inflation to fall quickly |
New research shows discrimination is not causing the gender pay gap21 October 2008 Women's pay rates reflect different values and choices |
Health policy expert urges the OFT to investigate NHS monopolies13 October 2008 Restrictive trade practices are limiting consumer choice |
Climate change policy is dogmatic not pragmatic, argue leading economists24 September 2008 Focus should shift to market-based adaptation, not hairshirts and witch hunts |
Economic freedom declining in the UK17 September 2008 Large fall in ratings for legal structures and property rights |
SMPC Votes by Six Votes to Three Not to Cut Interest Rates - 3rd August 200804 August 2008 Committee has a bias to cut subsequently |
The NHS at sixty is not fit for purpose, argue leading opinion formers22 June 2008 Study reveals lack of support for centrally planned healthcare |
Government housing policies are harming the poor21 June 2008 State intervention reduces choice and traps low income families in appalling conditions |
Vouchers guarantee the best education for the disadvantaged21 June 2008 Hard evidence shows the benefits of school choice |
SMPC votes by five votes to four to hold interest rates - 5th May 200805 May 2008 Loosening policy could damage Bank's credibility |
Free trade cannot wait for the WTO24 April 2008 New study calls for the unilateral removal of protectionist barriers |
Demographic doom at the ballot box19 March 2008 An ageing population will vote for higher public spending on pensions |
End 'nanny state' bans, argues major new study04 March 2008 Prohibitions impose huge costs on individuals and society, yet produce few benefits in return |
SMPC votes by five votes to four to cut interest rates - 4th February 200804 February 2008 Committee recommends a 0.25% reduction |
Public service pensions - government is hiding the true cost30 January 2008 Liabilities estimated at £1,071 billion |
Our policing system is broken – centralised, target-based policies should go, argues new study.21 December 2007 A greater degree of local accountability is needed to cut crime |
Property and not aid is the key to economic development in Africa20 December 2007 Reforms are more likely to succeed when they are tailored to local norms and values |
Reforms boost the economy - and benefit politicians16 November 2007 IEA releases groundbreaking new book on economic liberalisation by Johnny Munkhammar |
Government welfare policies promote poverty and inequality02 October 2007 Extra support for lone parents encourages self-defeating behaviour |
IEA report condemns the use of trade sanctions26 September 2007 Ordinary citizens will suffer if further sanctions are imposed on Burma |
Government must learn from past project disasters25 September 2007 2012 Olympics and Crossrail risk repeating the mistakes of Concorde, Nuclear Power and the Millennium Dome |
Hong Kong and Singapore rated best for economic freedom05 September 2007 Zimbabwe ranks worst |
SMPC votes to hold Bank Rate in August - 30th July 200730 July 2007 Slim five to four majority for holding interest rates |
Politicians’ wellbeing agenda flawed argue leading economists20 July 2007 Happiness is not related to national income or inequality |
Communists still threaten freedom and democracy in Europe04 July 2007 The EU has failed to uphold property rights |
Entrepreneurship and institutional reform, not aid, are the keys to reducing African poverty29 June 2007 Secure private property rights needed to encourage investment |
Leading economists attack Cameron on tax29 June 2007 Public spending cuts would lead to higher growth |
Bishops should rethink their line on government intervention in the economy25 May 2007 Christians should celebrate entrepreneurship and business |
SMPC votes to raise interest rates - 7th May 200709 May 2007 SMPC rejects a 0.5% rise by a slim margin |
Government policy has undermined family life with devastating economic and social consequences20 March 2007 The tax and benefits systems are particularly harsh on single-earner couples |
SMPC votes narrowly to hold interest rates 5th February 200705 February 2007 The IEA's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee has voted by five votes to four to hold interest rates |
Peace and Good Governance the Key to Reducing African Poverty05 January 2007 Security is essential for investment and economic growth |
Institute of Economic Affairs' article proposes the abolition of traffic lights20 December 2006 A change in policy would improve safety and reduce congestion |
Pensions legislation risks bankrupting British industry13 December 2006 An IEA study reveals the magnitude of private sector pension debt |
Political Consensus on Public Spending is Damaging Economic Growth and Welfare17 November 2006 An IEA monograph reveals the negative economic impact of current taxation levels |
SMPC votes for interest rate rise - 5th November 200605 November 2006 SMPC votes seven to two for an increase in interest rates |
Public Sector Pension Debt Now Over £1trillion25 September 2006 An IEA study reveals the true magnitude of public sector pension debt. |
The British “One Size Fits All” Healthcare Model should be abandoned22 September 2006 An IEA study argues that consumers should be given more control over healthcare and drugs. |
Social Housing should be scrapped in favour of single cash payments - IEA study claims11 July 2006 |
France tops developed world corruption league22 June 2006 |
Better Regulation can be achieved without the state16 June 2006 |
Privatisation Improved the Railways - New IEA Report Claims02 June 2006 |
SMPC Votes to Hold Interest Rates04 May 2006 |
Local government can be made self-financing claim IEA authors21 March 2006 |
Can 364 economists all be wrong?13 March 2006 The impact and legacy of the seminal 1981 Budget |
Crossrail should be funded by a Land Tax says IEA author09 February 2006 |
SMPC votes to hold interest rates06 February 2006 The SMPC votes six to three against lowering rates |
Europe shows sustained growth in economic freedom25 January 2006 |
The UK must oppose OECD and EU attempts to raise global tax rates argues IEA author18 December 2005 IEA author Richard Teather argues that the UK must oppose attempts by the OECD and EU to raise global tax rates |
Radical Shake Up of British Land-Use Planning Rules Advocated by IEA Study18 December 2005 |
A new rural economy has emerged, but government policy has not kept pace with change30 November 2005 |
New Estimates Show Huge Increases in the Burden of Public Sector Pensions14 November 2005 A new estimate of Britain's public sector pensions burden |
SMPC Votes to Hold Interest Rates04 November 2005 SMPC votes seven to two to hold interest rates |
Bus Services at Risk Due to EU and UK Government Regulation says IEA Author John Hibbs28 October 2005 Professor John Hibbs, one of the architects of bus de-regulation sets out the dangers of re-regulation |
European Employment Regulation Hits the Most Vulnerable25 September 2005 A new study suggests the young, those nearing retirement age and the unemployed are most likely to be harmed by employment regulation |
Regulation not the answer to child labour25 September 2005 A new study suggest regulation may not be the answer to ending child labour |
Property and Share Price Booms are Caused by Loose Monetary Policy04 September 2005 Bank of England should be cautious reducing interest rates when the money supply is expanding rapidly |
The Road to Serfdom - the book that inspired the foundation of the IEA - is reissued19 July 2005 The condensed version of Hayek's classic The Road to Serdom is reissued by the IEA |
One bad apple really can spoil the barrel, says new crime study30 June 2005 IEA study argues that identifying the influence of social networks on crime points the way to more effective weapons to combat it |
Current EU policies threaten to cost Britain 20% of its GDP31 May 2005 A new book by Patrick Minford, Vidya Mahambare and Eric Nowell warns of the cost to Britain of current EU policies |
IEA participates in new study of enterprise-based solutions to African poverty27 May 2005 The John Templeton Foundation has announced the winners in its What Works in Enterprise-Based Solutions to Poverty grant competition |
SMPC Votes to Hold Interest Rates30 April 2005 At its April meeting, the IEA's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee voted to hold interest rates for the timebeing |
Britain Benefited from ERM Experience Argues Sir Alan Budd27 April 2005 In a new study published by the IEA, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury, Sir Alan Budd, argues that Britain's ERM experience paved the way to a low inflation, low unemployment economy |
New Ways to Fund Infrastructure Investment Needed19 March 2005 New ways to fund large infrastructure projects such as Crossrail, are proposed in a study published today by the Institute of Economic Affairs*. |
Leading Economist Argues: 'There is no pensions savings gap'19 March 2005 Leading economist Tim Congdon has attacked the notion that there is a savings gap in the UK pensions system in an article published today in Economic Affairs |
The Way Out of the Pensions Quagmire17 March 2005 The Way out of the Pensions Quagmire*, facing present and future generations of pensioners is proposed in a new study published by the IEA. |
Immigration brings economic benefits says leading economist15 March 2005 Economist Diane Coyle challenges many widely held assumptions about immigration. |
Towards a Liberal Utopia?09 February 2005 Eighteen liberal academics set out their vision of a liberal utopia in a special publication to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Economic Affairs. |
SMPC holds Interest Rates07 February 2005 SMPC voted by seven votes to two to hold interest rates |
Europe leads the push toward more economic freedom, study shows03 February 2005 UK launch of the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom |
The ECB and the Euro: the first five years22 December 2004 IEA study concludes that "euro is well managed by the ECB but continental EU governments need to address fundamental structural problems in their economies" |
Governments will never provide decent 'education for all'21 December 2004 A new IEA study casts serious doubt on the ability of governments to achieve the objective of primary education for all the world’s children. |
SMPC Votes to Hold Interest Rates01 November 2004 The IEA's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (a group of leading economists that meets to monitor monetary policy and comment on other monetary matters) voted narrowly by five votes to four to hold interest rates at its October meeting. |
Radical Changes to the BBC?07 October 2004 Radical proposals for the provision of ‘public service’ television are made today in a new study released by the IEA. |
IEA Economists Say Privatisation is Not Enough30 September 2004 IEA economists are often credited with initiating the process of privatisation in the 1980s. |
Delivering Privatisation of the Post Office29 September 2004 "The post office could and should be privatised" claims economist Ian Senior in a study produced for the IEA. |
The Role of Business in the Modern World - Progress, Pressures, and Prospects for the Market Economy27 July 2004 EMBARGOED MONDAY 2 AUGUST 2004 00:01 |
SMPC Votes to Raise Interest Rates26 July 2004 'Increase interest rates!' voted the IEA's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (a group of leading economists that meets to monitor monetary policy and comment on other monetary matters) at its July meeting. |
Pricing Our Roads - The Major Constitutional and Political Issues22 July 2004 Serious constitutional, political and practical issues will have to be addressed by the government if it is to implement road pricing in practice |
Keep Sterling to Curb Inflation Pleads Spanish Economist19 July 2004 New Vision for the EU by Pro-European Economist |
Future Enrons Will Result From Over Regulation of Accountancy says IEA Study25 June 2004 Embargoed until Monday 28th June 00:01 |
SMPC Votes to Raise Interest Rates30 April 2004 For Immediate Release. The IEA's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (a group of leading economists that meets to monitor monetary policy and comment on other monetary matters) voted to increase interest rates at its April meeting. |
IEA authors call for new model for Europe22 April 2004 An alternative constitution for the EU has been suggested by a group of academic experts, today, in a report released by the IEA*. In a multi-authored study they strongly criticise the on-going process attempting to develop the new European Constitution |
Get Politicians Out of Planning01 March 2004 The current planning system satisfies nobody and should be privatised, argues John Corkindale, former economic advisor to the Department of the Environment and author of The Land Use Planning System, Evaluating Options for Reform. |
Shareholders Harmed by Regulation of Corporate Governance12 February 2004 For Immediate Release. Stakeholder models of corporate governance should be opposed, argues Dr Elaine Sternberg, author of Corporate Governance: Accountability in the Marketplace, the latest paper from the iea. |
Base Rates Should Rise During The Next Quarter30 January 2004 Keep interest rates unchanged for the moment but increase them within the next three months was the conclusion of the iea's Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC), the long standing group of distinguished economists, at its January meeting. |
Estimating the financial impact of the West End's theatre critics07 January 2004 New research paper estimates that critics reviews benefited West End theatre by £19m in 2003 but that the impact of The Evening Standard was negative by nearly £2m. |
Foreign Aid Spells an Unhappy Christmas for World's Poor19 December 2003 Embargoed for 00.01 hours, 19th December. "There are serious difficulties with the current approach to helping less developed countries", said Dr. Razeen Sally of the LSE, the editor of a multi-authored study out today from the iea. |
Concentrate on Growth and Inflation19 December 2003 For Immediate Release. |
Abolish Compulsory Education, say iea authors. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE05 December 2003 Free and compulsory state education is a middle class rip-off, which has damaged the poor and led to lower literacy rates than those in pre 1870 Britain |
Monetary Policy Difficult to Manage in Fog of Official Data28 October 2003 Embargoed for 00.01 hours, Tuesday 28 October 2003 |
GLOBAL WARNING CONCERNS ARE FALSE ALARM28 September 2003 Embargoed for 00.01 hours, 28th September 2003 |
Eminent economists call for overhaul of UK financial regulation26 September 2003 Embargoed for 00.01 hours, 26th September 2003 |
SMPC Divided on Rate Cut Decision23 July 2003 |
Stock Market Bubbles Good for Consumers Argues IEA Author21 July 2003 |
The State of our Cities20 June 2003 IEA authors make radical proposals to improve the state of our cities |
Penny on the Post: Too Little, Too Late, Too Intrusive Says New IEA Paper06 May 2003 |
SMPC Votes Unanimously for No Change in Interest Rates03 May 2003 Considerable Concern for the Supply Side of the Economy Expressed by Members |
IEA Authors Stress the Importance of Keeping Monetary Discretion Out of the Hands of Politicians30 April 2003 |
IEA Author Calls for EU Action on GM Food29 April 2003 IEA author Roger Bate argues that the EU’s position on GM food is misleading. |
IEA authors argue for simplification of UK tax system31 March 2003 The latest edition of the iea's journal, Economic Affairs, contains proposals by a number of tax experts for a simplification of the UK tax system and a reduction in the tax burden. |
End Uncertainty Over Ownership of Airport Slots says new IEA paper28 March 2003 Embargoed for 28 March 2003 |
Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions10 February 2003 Prof. Philip Booth FIA and Dr. Deborah Cooper FIA |
Andrew Crockett - Financial Stability and International Financial Regulation Lecture05 February 2003 Andrew Crockett - Financial Stability and International Financial Regulation / Sir John Cass Business School Financial Regulation Lecture |
SMPC Calls on Bank of England to Reconsider Its Approach to Monetary Policy29 January 2003 |
End Growth In Power Of Employment Tribunals17 November 2002 |
Airport Expansion Questioned18 October 2002 |
Ethics and morals important determinants of crime too30 September 2002 ... as well as deterrence and demography, say IEA authors |
Balcerowicz: rapid and radical reformers done best16 September 2002 findings from ex-communist countries |
Don't Join the Euro, Says New IEA Paper09 September 2002 consider Britain's economic interests |
Equity Returns Will Be Lower in Future, Says Congdon28 June 2002 |
University Students Should Pay Full Costs of Their Education28 June 2002 |
Governments Should Drop Capital Controls, Says IEA Author17 June 2002 |
European Central Bank Has Democratic Legitimacy, Says Issing13 May 2002 |
IEA Yearbook: better public services from increased spending?22 April 2002 |
Government Must Continue to Reject Previous Labour Policies16 April 2002 vital if Britain's economic performance is to improve, says leading economic historian |
Trust in Standards Declined -- Reform Exam Boards10 April 2002 |
Privatise Lane-Use Planning, Says IEA Author18 March 2002 |
Abolish Inheritance Tax Says Expert04 March 2002 |
Drop HIV/AIDS Education from Curriculum, Say IEA Authors30 November 2001 |
Corporate Social Responsibility Raises Costs, Undermines Market05 November 2001 |
Stelzer: Jail sentences not fines deter price fixing31 October 2001 |
Universities Should Break Free From The State: IEA Book08 October 2001 |
Economic Effects of EU Membership Marginal01 October 2001 |
Private Education Benefits The Disadvantaged27 September 2001 |
Private Action Against Polluters More Effective than State24 September 2001 |
Economists Should Come Down to Earth09 July 2001 make more effort to influence policy |
Tragic Human Consequences of Environmentalists DDT Campaign22 May 2001 |
Stop Cutting Interest Rates, Say Monetary Economists09 May 2001 |
Liberalisation Under Threat, Says IEA Author05 March 2001 |
Britain Should Form A Free Trade Association With the US05 February 2001 forget more European integration |
Scruton: WHO abrogating responsibilities, exceeding authority12 May 2000 |
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