Economics & Social Policy
Latest Economics & Social Policy Publications
Global Champion: The case for unilateral free trade
Warwick Lightfoot, Jonathan Dupont, Dr Geoff Raby and Michael TaylorIn a major new study, Policy Exchange argues that as the UK leaves the EU, it should unilaterally abolish all tariffs. This would reduce UK consumers’ shopping bills, increase productivity and promote global prosperity. We can also disarm the threat of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit. In the Foreword, Australian High Commissioner to London Alexander Downer said: “Trade is not a zero-sum equation. In the decades ahead all major economies should remove their tariffs and open their markets to competition. As the UK once again takes its place at the WTO it should take the opportunity lead by example and remove its tariffs.”
Global Britain, Global Solutions: How British R&D can transform international development
Jonathan DupontThis new Policy Exchange report, published today — written by Economic and Social Policy Research Fellow, Jonathan Dupont — recommends that the UK should double the proportion of its international aid budget spent on research and development, in order to solve the most pressing global challenges and support the Government’s Industrial Strategy. George Freeman MP, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, has written a Foreword for the report.
Global Britain, Global Challenges: How to make aid more effective
Jonathan DupontPolicy Exchange today publishes ‘Global Britain, Global Challenges: How to make aid more effective’. The report makes a strong case for the importance of overseas aid and supports the Government’s commitment to spending 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. The report has a foreword by Scottish Conservative leader Rt Hon Ruth Davidson, MSP; she wrote for The Times today about why “Looking forward, a global Britain should both maintain its world-leading aid budget and be a champion for free trade”.
Latest Economics & Social Policy Blogs
Tax grab or workers’ liberation?
Policy Exchange’s Jan Zeber takes a look at Labour’s new plans for the economy and finds some unanswered questions.
Financial Stability Post Brexit
Policy Exchange’s Warwick Lightfoot – former Special Adviser to three Chancellors – looks at the possible impact of Brexit on financial stability and the willingness of the world to act in the event of another financial crisis.
Europe’s Trade Problem: Closed markets that stay closed result in a defective approach to science and the management of risk evaluation
Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics critiques the European Union’s “ascientific” approach to trade regulation.
Latest Economics & Social Policy News
The Budget and the Digital Services Tax
Jan ZeberResponding to the Chancellor’s announcement of a Digital Services Tax, Jan Zeber, Policy Exchange’s Research Fellow on Prosperity, told Sky News that the policy should not be viewed as a measure to help the high street. In the long-run, brick-and-mortar shops need to offer something that online retailers cannot, rather than aim to compete directly.
Michael Taylor gives evidence to Environment Committee
Michael TaylorFarmers should be rewarded for land stewardship and public goods, and removing tariffs will increase consumer choice and keep prices down, helping the poorest most. That was the message Policy Exchange’s Economics Research Fellow Michael Taylor gave to the EFRA Select Committee when discussing Farming Tomorrow, our seminal report on opportunities for replacing the Common Agricultural Policy after Brexit.
Warwick Lightfoot argues for agriculture policy reform on Farming Today
Warwick LightfootPolicy Exchange’s Director of Economics & Social Policy Warwick Lightfoot – former Special Adviser to three Chancellors – appeared on the BBC to argue the case for reform of agriculture policy as Britain leaves the EU. Warwick pressed that farm policy is not currently aimed at supporting consumers and this should be reviewed as the UK moves away from the Common Agricultural Policy.
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:
