Economics & Social Policy
Latest Economics & Social Policy Publications

Why the Government should spend more on capital
Dr Graham Gudgin, Warwick Lightfoot, Gerard Lyons and Jan ZeberThis paper argues that the Government should spend more on capital investment. The case was already strong before the Covid-19 crisis and has been strengthened since, as its financing has become more affordable. The paper highlights the importance of taking advantage of the present macro-economic environment afforded by low borrowing costs to provide stable – and sizeable – funding for new infrastructure through an increase in capital spending by the public sector. Additional capital spending, in excess of the fiscal rules, would be sustainable and affordable

A pro-growth economic strategy
Warwick Lightfoot, Gerard Lyons and Jan ZeberThe UK is enduring a health and economic crisis. Despite near-term uncertainties, we believe that a new macro-economic framework can help the UK achieve stronger future growth.
A new macro-economic policy framework is needed, as outlined here, based on the three arrows: of credible fiscal activism; monetary and financial stability based on a new remit for the Bank of England; and a supply-side agenda.
Low borrowing costs create a likely lengthy window of opportunity to emerge from this crisis without being panicked into policy measures such as austerity, but it is possible that inflation and yields could rise, so it is not a risk-free option. Success depends upon a clear and credible policy approach.

Helping Britain’s start-ups
Jan Zeber and Gerard LyonsThe Government has outlined an audacious package of measures aimed protecting as much of the UK’s productive potential as possible. But it is an outlier among comparable European economies in that it is yet to announce measures to help start-ups and pre-revenue firms. Jan Zeber and Dr Gerard Lyons outline the unique challenges faced by those firms and what can be done to support them.
Latest Economics & Social Policy Blogs

Effective competition policies – a key to prosperity
Historically, the UK has not had as effective competition policies as other countries – but that can change.

20 years of the euro
Twenty years after the creation of the euro, a powerful cocktail of forces have made the southern economies of Europe permanently uncompetitive compared to the northern economies and the wider international economy. Yet the currency may limp on for years yet

The ‘end of austerity’ and what should come next
Policy Exchange’s Warwick Lightfoot – a former Special Adviser to three Chancellors – says the Prime Minister’s announcement that ‘austerity’ is ending is good politics. But increased public spending doesn’t always mean better public sector productivity, he warns.
Latest Economics & Social Policy News

International Trade Secretary visits Policy Exchange for a keynote speech
Policy ExchangeRt Hon Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, visited Policy Exchange to deliver a keynote speech on free trade and the UK’s place in the world after its departure from the EU.

Mark Carney on “Capitalism in America”
Policy ExchangeBank of England Governor Mark Carney spoke at a Policy Exchange event with Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Adrian Wooldridge, The Economist’s Bagehot columnist, to launch their new book, Capitalism in America.

Warwick Lightfoot gives evidence on Intergenerational Fairness
Warwick LightfootWarwick Lightfoot, Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics, gave evidence to the House of Lords Committee on Intergenerational Fairness, answering questions on the balance of taxation between generations among other issues.
Latest Economics & Social Policy Events
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 30 April, 2018
12:00 - 13:30
The first launch of Sir Paul Tucker’s new book Unelected Power: The Quest for Legitimacy in Central Banking and the Regulatory State. Sir Paul introduced the book, and followed this with a panel discussion and Q&A.
- Friday, 6 April, 2018
8:45 - 10:00
Policy Exchange welcomed Siv Jensen, Norwegian Finance Minister and leader of the Progress Party, who said that British and Norwegian views on the single market in financial services have often been aligned and reflected on the challenges for monetary policy, including the lowering of inflation targets and an increase in interest rates to ensure credit risk is appropriately priced. Singling out the housing market, she argued that home ownership is cherished by people in both Norway and Britain – and that a balanced approach to regulation is required to avoid asset booms (and busts).
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Wednesday, 14 February, 2018
10:30 - 11:30
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, set out his vision for a liberal Brexit in a speech given at Policy Exchange.
- Tuesday, 30 January, 2018
8:00 - 9:00
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, made the case for the free market in an event at Policy Exchange. Truss said that free enterprise has huge economic benefits, driving down prices and creating growth and jobs, and is intensely democratic and open, breaking down monopolies, hierarchies and outdated practices.
- Thursday, 7 December, 2017
12:00 - 13:45
How can the UK ensure that it is competitive post Brexit? Dominic Raab MP joined an expert panel to offer answers to this question which will have a significant impact upon the wealth of the country following Brexit. This event marked the launch of Everyone has a part to play: Improving the UK’s competitiveness post-Brexit by enhancing the rule of law, a new report from Linklaters on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinforce the rule of law and hence the UK’s economic competitiveness and prosperity.
- Tuesday, 20 June, 2017
12:15 - 13:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to host a talk by Peter Cove on his strategy for ending poverty in the USA
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address: