This report from UK think tank the Institute of Welsh Affairs make recommendations to ensure that Welsh communities benefit from the transition to Net Zero. In our new report written by Lydia Godden, Sharing power, spreading wealth, we make recommendations to ensure that Welsh communities benefit from the transition to Net Zero. Despite ambitious targets,...

This report from UK think tank The Work Foundation investigates the contemporary use of zero-hour contracts in the UK. Analysis by the work foundation has found that a record 1.1 million working age people primarily work under zero-hour contracts, the poster child for insecure work. Our new briefing investigates the contemporary use of zero-hour contracts...

This report from UK think the Centre for European Reform sets out an action plan for the next commission. European businesses are far more likely than US firms to cite regulation as a major obstacle to doing business. As Europe searches for ways to boost economic growth and frets about its competitiveness, the EU needs...

This report from UK think tank Pro Bono Economics looks at the impact of volunteering on wages and productivity. Charities play a vital role in the effective functioning of society, often supporting the most vulnerable groups, including the youngest, the oldest and those with physical and mental health needs. In supporting these groups, charities rely...

This report from UK think tank Civitas sets out a definition and understanding of sovereign wealth funds. Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are often discussed as government-owned investment funds with their benefits returning to the government and citizens – and which invests its assets according to the interests of the national sovereign sponsor. They play an...

This report from UK think tank the National Institute of Economic and Social Research aims to address the policy question of how to raise UK investment. This report aims to address the policy question of how to raise UK investment in order to meet the long-standing challenge of a slowing in productivity growth. The paper...

This report from UK think tank EDSK focuses on the issues that could complicate efforts to add VAT onto independent school fees. With a general election due in the coming months, the Labour Party’s plans to add VAT to independent school fees has taken on even greater salience. The question of how much money this...

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Policy Studies argues that not enough has been done to address the competitive disadvantage brought about by stamp duty on shares. There has been a renewed focus on the competitiveness of the City of London in recent months. Both the Government and Labour have unveiled reforms...

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs looks at how to boost income mobility in the UK. Many argue that income mobility is declining. This applies to all types of income mobility (relative and absolute; intergenerational and intragenerational). As remedies, those who worry and others who want to improve mobility tend...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government provides a guide to reform the fiscal framework to enable the government to make better choices. The UK’s fiscal framework, including a flawed set of rules, is incentivising bad policy decisions shaped by short-termism and fictional spending plans – and does little to promote fiscal...

This report from UK think tank Pro Bono Economics looks at the threat to charities from trouble in local government. Across England, local government funding is in disarray. Councils are issuing section 114 notices – indicating unlawful expenditure or their equivalent of bankruptcy – at unprecedented rates. Cuts are following rapidly, with even more looming...

This report from UK think tank the Work Foundation suggests that work has become less secure in the UK in the last year. New in-depth research suggests that work has become less secure in the UK in the last year as workers have faced the worst cost of living crisis for 41 years. Three in...

This report from UK think tank Pro Bono Economics looks at the economic impact and regional disparities in England of early literacy matters. The early years are the most critical time for the development of a child’s abilities to master language, to read and to communicate. However, with early years settings under pressure and families...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute will make the case for the abolition of inheritance tax. This paper, newly updated since its initial publication in 1995, finds that many of the arguments made in favour of the abolition of inheritance tax (IHT) nearly thirty years ago are still relevant today- and,...

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs looks at how red tape is fuelling the cost of living crisis. Red tape significantly contributes to the higher cost of living in the United Kingdom. The Consumer Price Index increased by 80% between 2000 and 2023. However, there is significant price variability across...