UK’s Defence Space Strategy in Context
Gabriel ElefteriuThis analysis by Gabriel Elefteriu notes that the UK’s first Defence Space Strategy is an excellent document with an assertive message. It maps out a coherent and logical path towards UK space power. But delivering a range of complex space capabilities quickly within tight budgets will be a major challenge for the MoD: real civil-military integration and a unified space decision & acquisition authority at the heart of Government is required. The Defence Space Portfolio is also an economic tool that can shape the industrial landscape, so the way the new Own-Collaborate-Access framework will be applied should be a matter of wider debate and geopolitical consideration as well.
A New Deal for Drivers
Ben SouthwoodAverage road speeds around the UK’s cities are painfully low, damaging economic growth and forcing people to endure long commutes or to miss out on the best jobs. In this report, Policy Exchange argues that road pricing could improve the lives of drivers as well as commanding public support.
The Nationality and Borders Bill and the Refugee Convention 1951
Richard Ekins, John Finnis and Simon MurrayWhat rights and protections does the Refugee Convention 1951 require the UK to afford to persons it recognises as Convention refugees? In answering this question, the Ninth and Twelfth Reports of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the Nationality and Borders Bill fundamentally misunderstand the Convention, unwarrantably truncate its text, and misread – or fail to read – the UK Court decisions on which these Reports rely. This research note traces some of the Joint Committee’s missteps.
What does Macron’s re-election mean for Britain?
To the relief of the French and European establishment, Emmanuel Macron’s re-election makes him the first two-term French President in 20 years since Jacques Chirac. However, the 17-point margin of his victory over Marine Le Pen does not tell the whole story. Voter turnout was the lowest in a presidential run-off since 1969 and Le Pen increased her vote tally from 10.6 million in the second round in 2017 to 13.2 million this time around.
Public satisfaction with GP services is at a 25 year low. So what can be done to reverse the decline?
The publication of the most recent British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey last week reveals a significant decrease in public satisfaction with NHS services – from dentistry to accident and emergency, reflected across demographic groups. Perhaps the most striking result however was a significant decline in satisfaction with general practice.
Sunak should raise the lower tax threshold this autumn to put more money in people’s pockets
Related Content Higher inflation is inevitable. An economic slowdown is expected. Recession is possible. That is the economic outlook and challenge facing the UK. The question is whether policy makers are doing enough?This troubling economic climate is not unique to...
Charging Up
The Energy & Environment Unit at Policy Exchange launched a paper warning that the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints would have to be five times faster during the 2020s to make the petrol and diesel vehicle ban workable. The report was authored by Ed Birkett, Senior Fellow and William Nicolle, Research Fellow at Policy Exchange. The release coincided with the Government’s announcement of £20m additional funding for EV charging infrastructure. Read coverage of the report in The Telegraph, Sky News, Bloomberg and BBC News. Read the report here.
UK Digital Identity
This week DCMS set out a new UK digital identity and attributes trust framework to make it easier and quicker for people to verify their identities using modern technology. The framework is in line with recommendations made in Policy Exchange’s 2020 report Verified, which featured a foreword from Matt Warman MP, Minister for Digital Infrastructure.
Online Harms Bill reflects Policy Exchange proposals
A new Online Harms Bill, unveiled this week, includes measures that will force social media companies to delete harmful content or face fines of up to 10 per cent of their turnover and adopt a new code of conduct to protect children on the internet. The legislation builds on recommendations made in Policy Exchange’s 2017 report, The New Netwar, which called for ministers to “put in place a system of financial penalties, administered by the independent regulator, to force company compliance” and urged the adoption of a “more stringent codes of conduct”.
Upcoming Events
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Thursday, 11 November, 2021
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Nimco Ali OBE CEO The Five Foundation Lord Carlile of Berriew QC CBE Former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Professor Steven Greer Author of “Tackling Terrorism in Britain: Threats, responses and challenges twenty years after 9/11” Khalid Mahmood MP Labour MP for Perry Barr and Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange Sir Mark Rowley Former Assistant (more…)
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Friday, 5 November, 2021
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Hon Angus Taylor MP Australian Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Introduction by Hon Alexander Downer AC Chairman of Policy Exchange Chaired by Dean Godson Director, Policy Exchange (more…)
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Wednesday, 3 November, 2021
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Mary Kissel Former Senior Advisor to US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in conversation with Tom Tugendhat MBE, MP Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee (more…)
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