Can Britain afford to spend more on defence?
With rumours swirling that the Ministry of Defence will see its budget boosted in next week’s spring statement it’s hard…
The problem with International Women’s Day
Am I the only one wondering how long it’ll be before the organisers of International Women’s Day are forced to…
How much did the Covid crisis cost?
The true cost of Covid cannot be quantified only in death rates or GDP figures. Though it could have been…
It’s time for Rishi Sunak to become a low-tax Tory
This week marks two years since Rishi Sunak was thrust from relative obscurity into the political spotlight as Chancellor of…
The cost of online safety
Few people in Britain will have heard of the draft Online Safety Bill. Fewer still will oppose it. Protecting children…
Is Boris really serious about Brexit?
As the partygate furore rages on, Boris Johnson is retreating towards familiar territory: Brexit. A policy blitz is underway this…
How to fix the BBC licence fee
Nadine Dorries came out fighting over the weekend to declare it was time to discuss new ways to fund and…
How well is Brexit going?
Twelve months after a comprehensive trade deal was signed with the EU, where are we now? How has the UK…
Should businesses receive more Covid support?
As government considers whether to lock us down once again, should it put economic support for businesses affected back on…
Punishing the unvaccinated threatens everyone's liberty
How should we treat the unvaccinated? Should we stop them from participating in normal life? Castigate them in the media?…
The economic impact of the latest Covid restrictions
We don’t yet know whether the Omicron variant will drastically accelerate the spread of coronavirus, or whether it will circumvent…
The confusion at the heart of social care
Boris Johnson’s majority plunged to just 26 last night, following a rebellion over controversial changes to social care plans. Means-tested,…
Boris Johnson should trust the market to solve climate change
In a 368-page document published this week, the government announced its strategy to cut emissions to net zero by 2050…
Why is British Airways banning ‘ladies and gentlemen’?
British Airways is dropping ‘ladies and gentlemen’ from its announcements. In the name of diversity and inclusion, the airline has…
The misguided experiment of British childcare
Everybody agrees that childcare in Britain is an unholy mess. According to a new study, tens of thousands of parents…
On child vaccination, parents should have the choice
On Saturday, the Health Secretary made his most bullish comments on child vaccination so far. Writing in the Times, Sajid Javid argued that…
Should Boris pay people to take the jab?
The steady stream of mixed messages coming from government ministers have been one of the few constants during the pandemic. Boris…
Covid has revealed the limits of the big state
When Rishi Sunak turned on the spending taps last March, a triumphant Jeremy Corbyn said he had been proved ‘right’.…
The problem with polling
If you did an opinion poll about opinion polls, chances are most people would recognise the limitations of market research,…
Will Italy's Euro win lead to a baby boom?
Could Italy’s triumph on Sunday result not just in a trophy for the azzuri, but a baby boom for a…
The economic case for ditching mask mandates
After many months of hardship and sacrifice, freedom is finally within grasp. Boris Johnson has reclaimed his buccaneering, libertarian spirit…
The economic illiteracy of anti-capitalists
Back in October, World Bank chief economist Carmen Reinhart recommended that countries borrow heavily during the pandemic. ‘First, you worry…
The cost of delaying 'freedom day'
When Boris Johnson announced that unlocking would be guided by ‘data not dates’ he handed detractors ample scope for derision…
Is working from home here to stay?
National Work from Home Day might not be a calendar highlight but it has undoubtedly taken on increased significance during…
Covid won't kill the office
The rapidity and willingness with which workers have adopted and adapted to remote working has led some – including Rory…