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Opinion and Editorial from the Policy Exchange team.
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Recent Blogs
Dear Education Secretary – The Blob is out to get you. Don’t let it
Policy Exchange Head of Education John Blake writes an open letter to the new Secretary of State for Education.
Special Briefing on the Worboys Case
Why are elected ministers are powerless in the face of the release of a serious offender? Policy Exchange’s Director of Research Rupert Oldham-Reid explores how politicians and the judiciary have transferred power (and hard decisions) from elected representatives to unelected officials.
An outlook for the UK economy – brighter than some would think
At the beginning of 2018, Policy Exchange economists Warwick Lightfoot and Mike Taylor offer some thoughts on the UK’s economic performance for the next 12 months.
The challenges behind the figures on teacher recruitment
We’re not recruiting enough teachers – but are we asking the right questions as to why? Policy Exchange’s John Blake – himself a former teacher – explores the challenges behind the latest figures.
An American perspective on Pesco: The dangers of de-linking EU defence from NATO
US Army officer T.S. Allen discusses the launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) at last month’s European Council summit. While there may be benefits in terms of improvements in capabilities, there is a danger that Pesco represents a trend towards de-linking European defence from NATO in search of EU ‘strategic autonomy’.
The secret to cheaper energy – it’s all in the cost curve
The cost of energy is frequently cited as one of the issues voters care about most, but how can we bring costs down? Various new electricity generation technologies, like wave energy, tidal lagoons and small modular nuclear reactors, stand on the precipice of mass deployment. But industry alone may not be willing or able to make the leap from demonstration and commercial deployment. Should the Government intervene to help bridge the gap? In this article originally published in Business Green, Policy Exchange Research Fellow Matt Rooney explores the concept of ‘technological learning’. Can other technologies replicate the success of solar panels and wind turbines to bring costs down and make them competitive with established technologies?
The new US National Security Strategy: implications for UK National Security Policy
Reviewing Lt Gen McMaster’s keynote speech at Policy Exchange’s Anglo-American conference, Professor John Bew highlights how the new American National Security Strategy will refocus on ‘competitive engagement’, providing support for friendly countries on America’s security frontier while requesting greater ‘reciprocity’ from US allies. Professor Bew also suggests how this should be interpreted by the UK’s ongoing Capability Review.
Britain, her balance of payments, and the benefits of a flexible exchange rate and open economy
Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics – and former Special Adviser to three chancellors – Warwick Lightfoot highlights new analysis from the Bank of England that show the UK’s foreign investments have enabled it to withstand a deterioration in the her balance of payments. Coupled with a reduction in the exchange rate, the continuing strength of the UK’s foreign investments means she will be able to weather future economic storms and capitalise on the opportunities presented by Brexit.
Perspectives on the Irish Border and Brexit negotiations
Two of Policy Exchange’s leading experts on Irish Affairs, former Irish diplomat Ray Bassett and former Special Adviser to the First Minister of Northern Ireland Dr Graham Gudgin, evaluate the Stage 1 Brexit Agreement published last week. Although welcome progress has been made, key issues remain outstanding and have the capacity to present difficultly if not resolved.
Challenges and opportunities for the UK trade in waste
Following his evidence session to the Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub Committee, Energy and Environment Research fellow Joshua Burke reflects on the opportunities and challenges facing the UKs trade in waste post Brexit. The impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers on the regulatory, spatial, environmental and economic dimensions that govern the UK’s trade in waste are examined in the context of Refuse Derived Fuel.
