Channel Title: Institute of Economic Affairs Channel Description: The IEA is the UK’s original free-market think-tank, founded in 1955. Our mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. Join our community on IEA Insider - a new platform to bring our intellectual community closer together built on Substack. All subscribers will receive our latest weekly newsletters, publications, podcasts, blogs and special exclusive content straight to your inbox. Paid subscribers also gain access to invitation-only events like thought-provoking policy discussions and book club interviews with special guests, while supporting the IEA's vital charitable mission. Join the IEA Insider community today to stay connected with the latest insights from one of the world's most influential voices for economic freedom. <video> Military Discipline Description: 📣 “Devolving decision-making to frontline leaders during crises is what enables armies to win wars. Process-driven bureaucracy always leads to disaster.” 🗣️ Dr. Stephen Davies, IEA Senior Education Fellow, on the dangers of rigid systems and the need for empowered leadership. </video> <video> 900,000 Migrants: Have Free Market Arguments Failed? | IEA Clips Description: In this clip from the IEA Podcast, Kristian Niemietz and Tom Clougherty tackle the recent UK immigration statistics showing net migration of over 900,000. The discussion explores how the traditional free-market case for immigration - that problems stem from deficient domestic policies rather than migration itself - needs updating in light of current record numbers. Niemietz reflects on whether arguing "we could cope if we reformed everything" is helpful when such reforms seem politically unlikely. Meanwhile, Clougherty warns against throwing out sound economic arguments entirely, noting that low-paid workers can boost productivity and that we need a more nuanced debate about optimizing the immigration system we have. The conversation concludes by drawing an interesting parallel with retail - noting that no one complains about the retail sector being overwhelmed by demand, only government-controlled services. While the constraints on immigration may be political choices rather than natural laws, the panel acknowledges that liberals need to have realistic policy preferences for the political climate they're working in. We bring you a public affairs podcast with a difference. We want to get beyond the headlines and instead focus on the big ideas and foundational principles that matter to classical liberals. SUBSTACK - https://insider.iea.org.uk/ TWITTER - https://twitter.com/iealondon INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/ieauk/ FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/ieauk WEBSITE - https://iea.org.uk/ </video> <video> The Broken University System Description: 🎓 "Once they got their money, there's no particular incentive to focus on what really matters." Peter Ainsworth, author of the new IEA paper 'Shares in Students', outlines the current broken logic of higher education funding. </video> <video> Net Zero Dreams vs. Economic Reality: Is Britain Ready? | IEA Podcast Description: FOLLOW IEA INSIDER: https://insider.iea.org.uk In this clip of the new IEA Podcast, Executive Director Tom Clougherty leads an in-depth discussion on the zero emission vehicle mandate and the broader challenges of achieving net zero in Britain. Joined by Dr. Stephen Davies and Dr. Kristian Niemietz, the conversation starts with the news of Vauxhall’s decision to close a plant due to regulatory pressures, raising critical questions about the real-world implications of green policies. The guests explore the practicality of the government’s ambitious decarbonisation goals, questioning whether they are achievable given the current technological and economic landscape. They discuss the broader political shift away from widespread support for green policies, examining the contradictions between ambitious environmental targets and the unintended consequences for businesses and consumers. From analysing the viability of alternatives like carbon taxes to debating the role of political incentives and public opinion, this episode digs into the underlying principles shaping Britain’s environmental policies. Our goal, as always, is to bring you a current affairs podcast with a difference. We want to go beyond the headlines and the shallow political commentary you may hear elsewhere and instead focus on the big ideas and underlying principles that matter to classical liberals. SUBSTACK - https://insider.iea.org.uk/ TWITTER - https://twitter.com/iealondon​​ INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/ieauk/​​ FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/ieauk​​ WEBSITE - https://iea.org.uk/ </video> <video> Are we Wasting BILLIONS on Net Zero? | IEA Briefing Description: Join IEA's Communications Manager Reem Ibrahim as she sits down with Andy Mayer, Energy Analyst and COO, to discuss Labour's ambitious 2030 net zero plans and the role of nuclear power in Britain's energy future. Following his recent Telegraph article, Mayer explains why the current target of transitioning from 40% renewable energy to 100% by 2030 faces significant challenges, particularly due to the intermittent nature of renewable sources and the inefficiencies in the current gas backup systems. Mayer delves into the unintended consequences of legally binding net zero targets, arguing that they often lead to misallocation of resources and expensive, marginal projects. He explains how the UK has become a world leader in expensive energy while potentially wasting capital on inefficient infrastructure projects. The discussion highlights the delicate balance between energy security, affordability, and decarbonisation goals. The conversation then turns to nuclear power as a potential solution, with Mayer highlighting its impressive 90-95% efficiency rate compared to gas's 60%. He discusses the regulatory challenges that have made nuclear power station construction significantly slower in the UK compared to countries like South Korea, and proposes solutions including regulatory reform and the creation of nuclear freeports. The discussion concludes with insights into small modular reactors and addressing NIMBY opposition to essential infrastructure projects. </video> <video> Measuring public sector efficiency? Description: 🚓 “A police department or an embassy consulate […] don’t have a product that they sell to a willing customer … [therefore efficiency savings calculations] doesn’t apply.” 📖 Editorial Director, Kristian Niemietz, on today’s quick-hit podcast episode discussing Mises’ book and its relevance to modern government reforms. </video> <video> Welfare State Breakdown: Getting Britain Back to Work | IEA Podcast Description: In this eye-opening episode of the IEA Podcast, Professor Len Shackleton dissects the UK government's latest "Get Britain Working" white paper. With the number of working-age people on benefits rising since COVID, the government is proposing initiatives like mental health consultant support, local trailblazer schemes, and youth work guarantees. Shackleton offers a critical perspective, arguing that the current proposals lack the financial muscle of previous New Labour approaches. He highlights concerns about the incentive structure for work, pointing out that benefits can sometimes be more attractive than low-wage jobs, and questions whether employers will be willing to hire given increased employment costs and regulations. The discussion also explores the complex landscape of mental health and work, with Shackleton suggesting a need for a balanced approach. He advocates for making work more attractive through tax reforms and creating a system where being employed is more appealing than unemployment - drawing on classical liberal principles of incentivising work while providing support for those with genuine health challenges. </video> <video> The LACK of Leadership... Description: 📣 “When Blair and Brown won in 1997, the very first thing they did was make the Bank of England completely independent—a bold move signalling a government with a clear, big plan.” 🗣️ Dr. Stephen Davies, IEA Senior Education Fellow, on the current lack of decisive leadership. </video> <video> The University System is Broken: Here's How to Fix It | IEA Podcast Description: Higher education is in crisis, and Peter Ainsworth, Author of the new IEA Publication 'Shares in Students', has a radical solution. In this podcast, he explains how universities are financially struggling, with graduates earning less and carrying massive debt. His proposal? Tie university funding directly to student employment outcomes. Ainsworth argues that the current system incentivises student recruitment, not student success. By redirecting loan repayments back to universities based on graduate earnings, institutions would be motivated to provide education that genuinely improves career prospects. He suggests removing bureaucratic regulations and allowing universities more flexibility in pricing. Drawing inspiration from medieval apprenticeship models, Ainsworth believes these reforms could transform the UK's higher education sector. With potential changes in the US system and declining international student numbers, he sees an opportunity for Britain to become the world's leading university destination by aligning educational and economic interests. </video> <video> Net-Zero is a FANTASY Description: 📣 “The idea that we can move to zero emissions while living the way we do now is not just costly—it’s physically impossible.” 🗣️ Dr. Stephen Davies, IEA Senior Education Fellow, on the harsh realities behind net-zero ambitions. </video> <video> The SOCIALIST Planning System Description: 🏗️ "The planning system is probably the single biggest problem in our political economy - a socialist-era nationalisation that conservatives still defend." 👨‍💼 Tom Clougherty, IEA Executive Director, on Britain's failing planning system and the barriers to economic growth. </video> <video> Why Migration Pressure is a State Problem Description: 👨‍👨‍👧 "The problem isn't migration per se - all the areas under pressure are either provided by the state or where the state controls key inputs." Dr. Kristian Niemietz, IEA Editorial Director, on why immigration pressures stem from government policy failures. </video> <video> Starmer's Vision, Police Crisis & Immigration Chaos | IEA Podcast Description: FOLLOW IEA INSIDER: https://insider.iea.org.uk Join Callum Price (Director of Communications), Tom Clougherty (Executive Director) and Kristian Niemietz (Editorial Director) in this week's IEA Podcast as they analyse Sir Keir Starmer's recent "Plan for Change" speech, which set out Labour's vision for growth and public services. Our panel discusses why the speech, while containing good ambitions like building 1.5 million homes, lacks a clear theory of change for how these goals will actually be achieved. We explore how the planning system remains a fundamental barrier to progress across multiple policy areas. The conversation then turns to Labour's pledge for 13,000 new community police officers. While increased community policing is welcome, we examine how centralised government control over police hiring creates unintended consequences that reduce effectiveness. The panel also discusses the ongoing prisons crisis and how infrastructure challenges continue to hamper the criminal justice system. Finally, we tackle the latest immigration statistics showing net migration of over 900,000 last year. Our experts debate whether the traditional free market case for immigration needs updating given current numbers, while warning against throwing out sound economic arguments entirely. The discussion explores how domestic policy constraints, particularly in housing and public services, shape the immigration debate. We bring you a public affairs podcast with a difference. We want to get beyond the headlines and instead focus on the big ideas and foundational principles that matter to classical liberals. SUBSTACK - https://insider.iea.org.uk/ TWITTER - https://twitter.com/iealondon INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/ieauk/ FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/ieauk WEBSITE - https://iea.org.uk/ </video> <video> The UK's CRUSHING Energy Costs Description: 🔋 "In 2000, UK industrial energy prices were almost the same as the US. Now ours have shot up while theirs flatlined. It's crushing our economic performance." Tom Clougherty, IEA Executive Director, on Britain's growing energy cost crisis and its impact on growth. </video> <video> The Realignment of British Politics & Net-Zero | IEA Podcast Description: FOLLOW IEA INSIDER: https://insider.iea.org.uk The latest IEA Podcast tackles some of the most pressing issues in British politics today. Hosted by Executive Director Tom Clougherty, this episode dives into the zero-emission vehicle mandate and the broader push towards net zero, questioning the feasibility and costs of these ambitious goals. Joining Tom are Dr. Kristian Niemietz and Dr. Stephen Davies, who provide their insights into the policies shaping Britain's environmental future. The discussion then shifts to the ongoing realignment in British politics and what it means for the right and classical liberalism. With a Labour landslide that failed to ignite enthusiasm and persistent dissatisfaction among voters, the team explores how identity, economics, and ideology are reshaping political coalitions. This analysis offers a fresh perspective on how shifting priorities could redefine political alignments. Finally, the podcast casts a wide net over the current state of British politics, reflecting on the peculiar challenges and opportunities facing the country. From governmental missteps to structural challenges, the conversation cuts through surface-level commentary to examine the fundamental principles driving these debates. Our goal, as always, is to bring you a current affairs podcast with a difference. We want to go beyond the headlines and the shallow political commentary you may hear elsewhere and instead focus on the big ideas and underlying principles that matter to classical liberals. Labour Party Politics: 01:29 Political Realignment: 24:07 Net-Zero: 43:58 SUBSTACK - https://insider.iea.org.uk/ TWITTER - https://twitter.com/iealondon​​ INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/ieauk/​​ FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/ieauk​​ WEBSITE - https://iea.org.uk/ </video>

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The IEA is the UK’s original free-market think-tank, founded in 1955. Our mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

Join our community on IEA Insider - a new platform to bring our intellectual community closer together built on Substack. All subscribers will receive our latest weekly newsletters, publications, podcasts, blogs and special exclusive content straight to your inbox. Paid subscribers also gain access to invitation-only events like thought-provoking policy discussions and book club interviews with special guests, while supporting the IEA's vital charitable mission. Join the IEA Insider community today to stay connected with the latest insights from one of the world's most influential voices for economic freedom.

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