It has been reported that the UK looks set to follow the example of the EU in imposing tariffs on electric vehicles from China. This would be a mistake, for five main reasons. First, we have to look at the main reason why the UK is considering doing it. The EU is using its proposed […]
It’s been reported that officials in the Trump administration have given their UK counterparts a dressing-down over the Online Safety Act and the social-media ban for under-16s. As someone who previously worked on digital trade for the UK government, this does not surprise me. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have seen British laws such […]
This morning, John Healey delivered his first major speech as Chancellor. He set out his vision for the economy and, while it was encouraging to hear his determination to drive growth and solve the NEET crisis, all while claiming to be committed to fiscal discipline, it was quite light on detail. However, one specific point […]
In his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has announced that VAT on household energy bills will be removed from October. While no doubt well intentioned, this would be a mistake. First, it is risky for the public finances. VAT on energy bills brings in a significant amount of revenue. The Government has […]
Barring some form of constitutional crisis, Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister. We do not even know who his new Chancellor will be, let alone what their policies and priorities are. However, whoever gets the top job at 1 Horse Guards Road, they should make tax reform their top priority if they want to bring […]
It received less media attention than many of his more eye-catching announcements, but yesterday Andy Burnham stated that under his premiership, British firms would be favoured for government contracts. While this is well meaning, outside a narrow set of circumstances such as issues relating to national security, this would be a costly mistake. First, it […]
The World Cup starts today and for the first time in over 30 years it is being held in North America. Not only is this exciting news for football fans, it should also be of interest to free trade enthusiasts, as the last time it was held there the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) […]
It has been reported that Rachel Reeves has floated the idea of introducing a ‘hotel tax’ which, as the name suggests, would be paid by hotel guests. Many on the centre-right have been quick to condemn such a move and they have rightly pointed out that another new tax is the last thing we need. […]
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Britain was victorious but broke. One of the genius inventions which was developed and helped Britain to win the war was the Nene jet engine created by Rolls Royce. Not only did the Nene engine give Britain an edge in defence, it was also thought at the […]
It has taken a quarter of a century, but the EU and the Mercosur bloc of countries comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (Venezuela is currently suspended) have, in theory, agreed terms on a trade deal. I say ‘in theory’ as the French and Polish governments are still opposed to the deal, and might […]
It’s almost exactly one year since Javier Milei took office as President of Argentina. Given his tendency to wield a chainsaw and make controversial statements, combined with his unruly hair and the fact that he is on the Right, he was derided by many commentators who likened him to an Argentinian Trump and predicted economic […]
In 2020, when she was then Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss went to Washington D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump as part of the UK government’s negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between our two countries and to also tackle a few trade disputes. We sent Truss off with a […]
The Government has introduced its Employment Rights Bill with the promise of ‘the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation’ and is seeking to be both pro-worker and pro-business. While it is obviously important that people are free from being exploited at work and the measures are well-intentioned, the Government should be cautious […]
Much has been written about the ‘death of the high street’, with commentators bemoaning the fact that it is mainly ‘pound shops’ flogging tat alongside the ubiquitous betting shops and fast food chains frequented by gangs of teens smoking weed who intimidate passers-by. The high street in my hometown of Huddersfield is no exception to […]
It’s been revealed that people suffering from skin cancer are waiting up to a year to start treatment. The fact that so many people with serious illnesses are waiting for so long is a scandal that should anger us all. The Liberal Democrats are rightly outraged by this and have called for action from the […]
A new government means a new set of Secretaries of State and ministers. When it comes to international trade, Jonathan Reynolds will be the fifth person since 2016 to hold the brief. As someone who spent 16 months advising one of his predecessors, here is what I think he should do. First, he should prioritise […]
You’re a new Labour government. You’ve come to power and now you need to decide which policies to keep in place from the old regime and which ones to implement to bring about economic growth, create new jobs and increase wages, all while not alienating the electorate. In 1964, Harold Wilson’s new government contended with […]
This month, eligible households received a cost of living payment. The Government was keen to take to the airways to remind people that it has made this payment – alongside other such payments over the past 18 months – in order to provide support for the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis. The […]
Tata Steel’s plans to cut 2,800 jobs at its Port Talbot site is a devastating blow to the people working in those roles, their families, and the local community. These are highly skilled and hard working people who will find themselves out of work through no fault of their own. This means there will be […]
The DEFRA Secretary Steve Barclay has announced plans to introduce labels on food products from countries which do not match the UK’s environmental or animal welfare standards. His reason for doing so is to stop British farmers being ‘undercut’ by foreign producers. Barclay is wrong to be concerned about cheap food imports. Imports are a […]
