Centre for Policy Studies
Why no conservative should support a mansion tax
The Government is expected to raise around £550 billion in tax revenue this financial year. The Centre for Policy Studies estimates that a mansion tax (of £20,000 on properties of… Continue reading
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Thatcher’s favourite think tank backs Danny Alexander
In the run-up to the Budget in March, Danny Alexander was pushing for the abolition of higher-rate relief on pension contributions, which would save the government £7 billion plus a… Continue reading
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The centre-right ideology vacuum
At times of economic crisis, successful governments need vision as well as competence. Recent events have called the coalition’s competence into question. What about its vision? As I argue in… Continue reading
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Tyrie’s ‘only plausible’ solution to the euro-crisis
The European melodrama continues. The European Commission is to publish draft legislation to insulate taxpayers from bailing-out Europe’s sclerotic banks in the future. The plan is to give governments the… Continue reading
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There are economic reasons to cut the state, irrespective of the deficit
Treasury Select Committee Chairman Andrew Tyrie recently explained he would support cutting back the size of the state even if our public finances were in balance. I doubt whether the… Continue reading
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Which tax cuts would be best for the economy?
With all these tax cut suggestions kicking about — and with the British economy desperately in need of some oomph — it’s worth asking: which would help growth the most?… Continue reading
30 CommentsAny questions for IDS?
At 6pm this evening, I’m interviewing Iain Duncan Smith at a Conservative Party conference fringe meeting. He is fighting a war on at least three fronts: the welfare-to-work programme, the… Continue reading
21 CommentsAbolish National Insurance Contributions
Government plans for a universal state pension of £140 per week were reported in the media in late October. We should be getting more information in a Green Paper soon.… Continue reading
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