IEA Podcast

On this episode of the IEA Podcast, host Matthew Lesh is joined by Professor Jonathan Portes of King's College London to discuss the hot button issue of immigration policy in the UK. As political parties announce restrictive immigration plans ahead of elections, the question is asked: Should immigration be capped? Professor Portes, an expert on labor markets and immigration, provides his analysis...

The Conservative Party's proposal to reintroduce 12 months of mandatory national service if they win the general election has sparked a heated debate between Matthew Lesh, Director of Public Policy and Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, and James Price, a former government advisor. Lesh argues against the policy, viewing it as an infringement on individual liberty and questioning...

In this week's IEA Podcast episode, host Reem Ibrahim and guest Andy Mayer from the Institute of Economic Affairs discuss the appalling findings of the UK's Infected Blood Inquiry, which revealed over 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated NHS blood products in the 1970s-80s. Mayer demonstrates the NHS, clinicians and governments of repeatedly failing patients by co...

In this new Institute of Economic Affairs "In Conversation" interview, Tom Clougherty sits down with renowned conservative historian and commentator Simon Heffer. Heffer pulls no punches in his scathing critique of contemporary Conservative leadership and the party's civil war over Europe. He explores major challenges Britain faces - an aging population, pressures on the welfare state, and the nee...

On this IEA Podcast episode, host Matthew Lesh engages Tom Clougherty, the Institute of Economic Affairs' Executive Director, in a thought-provoking discussion centered around the government's recent efforts to cut red tape. They dive deep into the 10-point plan announced, which includes measures like issuing new regulations only when "absolutely necessary" and imposing stronger growth duties on r...

In this week's Swift Half with Snowdon, we are joined by Lord Frost, the former Chief Brexit Negotiator and Europe Adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Lord Frost provides an explosive insider's view on the chaos of Brexit negotiations under Theresa May, having to reset the failed talks after joining Boris Johnson by taking a hardline no-deal stance, and his principled resignation over pushing...

On this episode of the IEA Podcast, host Matthew Lesh and guest Harrison Griffiths of the Institute of Economic Affairs analyze a recent report claiming high immigration levels have burdened Britain's economy, public services and social cohesion rather than boosting growth as promised. Harrison rebuts arguments that immigrants deter capital investment or drain public finances, instead attributing...

With over half a million more Brits economically inactive compared to pre-pandemic, concerns grow about the UK's economic potential amid labor shortages. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced cracking down on disability benefits, claiming exploitation of the system. This week's IEA podcast asks: Where are the missing workers? Host Matthew Lesh and guest Prof. Len Shackleton explore the spike in...

In this episode of The Swift Half with Snowdon, Christopher Snowdon welcomes Erik W. Matson, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, to delve into Matson's latest work "New Paternalism Meets Older Wisdom". Matson's book, a critical examination of the "new paternalism" philosophy within behavioural economics, published by the IEA, challenges the notion that nudging...

Join us for an IEA Book Club discussion with Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School and acclaimed author, as he delves deep into the themes of his latest book, "May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics and Studies Exploit Our Biases - And What We Can Do About It". Hosted by Tom Clougherty, Executive Director, this event promises to unravel the intricacies of bias in education...

Join Matthew Lesh, Public Policy & Communications Director at the IEA, and Dr. Kristian Niemietz, Editorial Director at IEA, in a compelling dialogue as they tackle the contentious query: Did empire make Britain rich? In this week's episode of the IEA Podcast, Dr. Niemietz draws from his latest book, "Imperial Measurement: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Western Colonialism," to offer a critical ex...

In our latest In Conversation event, we had the pleasure of hosting Dominic Frisby, a multifaceted finance commentator, comedian, and author. Frisby delved into topics ranging from libertarianism and finance to the impact of Bitcoin and the future of tax, offering insightful perspectives. Joined by IEA's Executive Director, Tom Clougherty, Frisby shared valuable insights drawn from his extensive e...

Join Adrian Chiles and Christopher Snowdon on The Swift Half with Snowdon as they delve into the complexities of alcohol consumption and societal norms. From Chiles' insights from his documentary "Drinkers Like Me" to discussions on drinking guidelines and labelling, the conversation offers thought-provoking perspectives on moderation and personal choices. With expertise in lifestyle economics and...

Join Harrison Griffiths, IEA Communications Officer, and Bryan Cheang from the Centre for the Study of Governance and Society at King's College London in a deep dive into Singapore's economic transformation since 1965. Bryan provides valuable insights into the blend of pro-market policies and interventionist measures that have propelled Singapore from poverty to prosperity, emphasizing personal re...

Join us for this week's podcast as we delve into how Britain can foster a more entrepreneurial environment. Head of Research at The Entrepreneurs Network, Eamonn Ives, and Public Policy & Communications Director Matthew Lesh discuss pressing issues surrounding taxation, innovation, and labor dynamics. From proposing reforms to simplify the tax system to exploring the role of innovation in entr...

Explore the Roman Empire's dynamics during the Antonine Plague with Colin Elliott, Associate Professor at Indiana University and author of "Pax Romana." Elliott offers profound insights into the pandemic's impact on the economy, military, and society, challenging conventional views on Roman cities' roles. He navigates complexities, highlighting economic interconnections and societal resilience, pr...

Join Matthew Lesh, Director of Public Policy & Communications at IEA, as he hosts Rainer Zitelmann, Historian & Author, for an insightful exploration of poverty alleviation strategies discussed in Zitelmann's book "How Nations Escape Poverty." This week's question: how do nations escape poverty? Through critical analysis, Zitelmann underscores the significance of economic freedom and marke...

In Snowdon's latest episode of Swift Half with Simon Clark, Director of Forest, they tackle the challenges of modern journalism and the erosion of personal freedom in public health policies. From frustrations with media interaction to concerns about biased reporting, Clark sheds light on the need for balanced discussions and the recognition of individual autonomy in lifestyle choices. Gain valuabl...

This week, the UK government accused China of cyber attacks on the Electoral Commission and critical employees, leading to sanctions against Chinese state actors. This sparks debates on the adequacy of the UK's China strategy. Join host Matthew Lesh and guest Professor Syed Kamall for a discussion on "How should Britain deal with China?" Professor Kamall provides expert analysis on UK-China relati...

Join Matthew Lesh, Director of Public Policy and Communications at the IEA, and Carlo Cordasco, Lecturer at the Alliance Manchester Business School, as they explore the question: Should AI be more transparent? They discuss how AI is reshaping decision-making in sectors like healthcare and finance, the EU's landmark AI Act, and the delicate balance between regulation and innovation. Dive into the i...

Dive deep into the realm of Canada's prohibition and more with Christopher Snowdon and special guest, Professor Dan Malleck from Brock University. Together, they unpack the complexities of alcohol, tobacco, and prohibition, challenging prevailing narratives and advocating for evidence-based approaches. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that questions conventional wisdom and reflects on th...

Join Dr. Kristian Niemietz and guest Vincent Geloso, Assistant Professor of Economics at George Mason University, for a deep dive into the relationship between economic freedom, social mobility, and the UK welfare state. Gain insights into absolute and relative mobility, economic growth's impact, and the role of cultural attitudes and policies. Discover why economic freedom is vital for societal p...

Join Matthew Lesh, Director of Public Policy at the IEA, and Iain Murray, Vice President for Strategy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, as they discuss the priority of addressing climate and social justice. Explore government priorities, regulatory competence, and societal implications with insights on climate action, social justice, and government policy. Subscribe for valuable insights in...

Join Harrison Griffiths and IEA Executive Director Tom Clougherty as they dissect the recent Spring Budget. From National Insurance cuts to new taxes on vaping, gain insights into what went well, what went wrong, and the underlying structural issues in the UK economy. Explore the economic challenges within the planning system and energy sector, uncovering bureaucratic hurdles and high costs hinder...

Swift Half returns with Christopher Snowden! Join him as he welcomes a range of guests for spirited discussions on society and freedom. This week, Charles Amos, author of "The Musing Individualist" and leader of the Defend Freedom, Stop the Tobacco Ban movement, joins the conversation. They explore libertarianism, dissecting its philosophy and addressing the growing threat of paternalism. From phi...