Eamonn Butler 
The government must cut or even scrap capital gains tax
When economists get things wrong– something rather easy, given the nature of their subject – they should admit that they got them wrong. Well, the Adam Smith Institute got it… Continue reading
29 Comments
Politicians shouldn’t meddle with energy prices
David Cameron’s announcement in the House of Commons on Wednesday – that he would force energy companies to give people the lowest tariff – caused a stir. The Downing Street… Continue reading
23 Comments
Has Osborne learnt the right lessons from Adam Smith?
According to Rachel Sylvester in The Times (£) today, George Osborne’s love of soaking the rich — from the non-dom levy to the tycoon tax – stems from the importance… Continue reading
10 CommentsCuring youth unemployment
Youth unemployment in the UK has hit another record. More 16 to 24-year olds are out of work than ever. The unemployment rate in this group is now a shocking… Continue reading
51 CommentsLost in the woods
The government’s plans for state forestry are so weak and feeble that it is hard to understand why there is so much fuss about them. Maybe people do not realise… Continue reading
14 CommentsGoing for broke
It won’t be for a while yet, but the UK seems headed for another financial crisis. And this time, the government won’t be able to blame the banks. The blame… Continue reading
25 CommentsThe Royal Mail – a tough sell
Some day soon – unless the coalition has already lost its bottle – a bill will be introduced to ‘part-privatise’ Royal Mail. It has to be done. But it will… Continue reading
20 CommentsThe legacy of a century of vain politicians
Monday is the August Bank Holiday – at least in England and Wales, where it is the last weekend before the schools go back. In Scotland, the schools break up… Continue reading
23 CommentsThe family is the best agent of welfare
Conservatives have long been strong on family. They believe that families are the glue that sticks us together, and that traditional nuclear families therefore plays an important role in sticking… Continue reading
16 CommentsThis is no time for salami slicing
You can often achieve a lot more by doing things a bit at a time rather than attempting one bold and sweeping reform. In the 1970s, for example, the trade… Continue reading
17 CommentsThe Star Chamber won’t re-structure government. Philip Hammond might
You have a computer for years. It gets gummed up with old applications, many of which can’t do the job you need them for today. It hogs far too much… Continue reading
4 CommentsThe British constitution is in dire need of reform
The UK Conservative leader David Cameron says that any Prime Minister not ‘directly elected’ by the public should be forced to hold a general election within six months. He has… Continue reading
69 CommentsWhat to expect in the Budget
After a decade of reckless spending, the government’s kitty is bare and its debts are mounting. In November, Alastair Darling said the economy would shrink just 2%, but predicted, Micawber-style,… Continue reading
12 Comments