IEA Podcast

In this Institute of Economic Affairs podcast, IEA Communications Director Callum Price is joined by Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz and Managing Editor Daniel Freeman. The conversation covers the newly enacted Renters Rights Act, examining how the legislation effectively introduces rent control through the back door and will likely reduce the supply of private rental properties. They discuss the end of fixed-term contracts, the tribunal system for rent disputes, and how these measures could drive landlords out of the market, reducing labour mobility and worsening housing availability for young professionals.The discussion then turns to wealth taxes and the broader economic landscape, with Kristian explaining why wealth taxes are fundamentally flawed, comparing them to “eating your seed corn” - consuming capital that should be generating future returns. They examine how capital flight has already occurred in countries like France, Norway and Switzerland, and why the UK’s economic stagnation makes politicians reach for fantasy solutions rather than addressing the real problem of economic growth. The team also discusses the IEA’s “Sharpen the Axe” series, which identifies concrete areas where government spending could be cut.The conversation concludes with an analysis of the government’s fiscal position ahead of the upcoming budget, looking at why promised tax rises keep recurring despite claims each budget will be the last. They explore Labour’s abandonment of planning reform and abundance agenda, the shelving of disability benefit reforms, and why Britain seems stuck in a doom loop of stagnant growth, rising demands on the state, and political unwillingness to make meaningful cuts to government spending. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this Institute of Economic Affairs podcast, IEA Director of Communications Callum Price interviews Axel Kaiser, co-founder and president of the Foundation for Progress in Chile and senior research fellow at the Adam Smith Centre at Florida International University. The conversation examines Argentina’s dramatic midterm election results under President Javier Milei, exploring how the libertarian government survived a critical political test after months of legislative battles, economic uncertainty, and a devastating provincial election loss that threatened to derail the entire reform agenda.Axel discusses the political warfare waged by Peronist and Kirchnerist opposition forces, who passed legislation to increase government spending and nearly collapsed Milei’s stabilisation program. The conversation covers how rising inflation, plummeting economic growth, and a 14-point loss in Buenos Aires provincial elections created fears that Argentina would revert to its century-long cycle of populism and economic failure. Despite these setbacks, the midterm results on Sunday represented a referendum between free markets and classical populism, with voters decisively backing Milei’s radical reforms.The interview concludes with lessons for Western democracies, particularly the UK and Europe. Axel argues that Argentina proves freedom works and that voters will support radical austerity and free market reforms if leaders tell the truth about economic realities. He criticises the welfare state model as no longer viable and expresses pessimism about Europe’s willingness to embrace necessary reforms, while suggesting the UK’s less ideological culture might make it more open to change than countries like Germany or France. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this Institute of Economic Affairs panel discussion at the Conservative Party Conference, Callum Price hosts Charlie Dewhirst MP for Bridlington and The Wolds, Andrew Griffith, Shadow Secretary of State for Business & Trade, and Christopher Snowdon, IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics. The panel examines how Labour has carried forward paternalistic Conservative policies including bans on disposable vapes, advertising restrictions on food, and the generational tobacco ban. They discuss how governments get bounced into nanny state measures by pressure groups despite these policies rarely appearing in manifestos or being close to ministers’ hearts.Christopher Snowdon presents a six-point plan to prevent future Conservative governments from capitulating to activist demands, including abolishing the public health minister post created by Tony Blair, banning state funding of pressure groups, and removing civil servants focused solely on policy development. The panel debates why such measures proliferate when politicians weigh up political costs and conclude it’s easier to give activists what they want rather than face accusations of kowtowing to industry. They criticise policies like the online safety act, Nando’s Coke refill bans, and restrictions on advertising tasty food as examples of petty prohibitionism.The discussion concludes with questions on football regulation, with panelists warning about inevitable mission creep from regulators. They argue the Football Association should sort out its own fit and proper persons test rather than creating new government oversight. The panel emphasises conservative principles of individual sovereignty, distrust of the state, and the belief that government should be servant not master, while acknowledging these are questions for democratic resolution rather than quango decision-making. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this Institute of Economic Affairs podcast, IEA Head of Communications Callum Price speaks with Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz and Managing Editor Daniel Freeman. The conversation covers the Treasury’s recent briefings that the OBR is predicted to downgrade UK productivity growth forecasts ahead of the budget, with Brexit being cited as a contributing factor. They examine whether there’s credibility to these claims and discuss how the political taboo around discussing Brexit has begun to break down at senior levels of the Labour Party.The discussion moves to wealth taxes, with the panel analysing recent speculation about potential tax rises in the upcoming budget, including capital gains tax increases and changes to inheritance tax. They explore how these policies might affect economic behaviour and investment decisions, questioning whether the predicted revenue from such measures would materialise given likely behavioural responses from taxpayers.The conversation concludes with an examination of the government’s ambitious housebuilding targets of 1.5 million homes over five years. Despite positive rhetoric from Housing Minister Steve Reed, housing starts are running at less than half the required 75,000 per quarter. The panel discusses the barriers preventing progress, including the building safety regulator, nutrient neutrality regulations, and affordable housing requirements, with London’s housing starts now falling behind even Auckland, New Zealand in absolute terms. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this fourth and final episode of the Land of Opportunity series, a partnership between the Institute of Economic Affairs and Land of Opportunity, former MP Sir Philip Davies speaks with Tim Phillips, former president of Americans for Prosperity. The conversation explores how Phillips and the Koch brothers built one of the most successful grassroots campaigns in American history—mobilizing millions of citizens to fight for economic freedom, lower taxes, and reduced regulation. Phillips explains how Americans for Prosperity was never about lobbying for specific industries, but rather building a genuine grassroots army for the ideals of economic freedom that would allow entrepreneurship and opportunity to flourish for Americans from any background. The organization pioneered community organizing on the right, recruiting and training activists at the local level to advocate for pro-growth policies across all fifty states.Phillips reveals the strategic decisions behind the movement’s success, including why they chose to be “for” prosperity rather than “against” something, how they defended policies by making economic arguments rather than moral ones, and why running entrepreneur candidates against incumbents proved so effective at changing political behavior. The discussion covers Americans for Prosperity’s role in the Tea Party movement, their fights for education reform and tax cuts including the 2017 Trump tax reforms, and how they overcame attacks of being “astroturf” by simply building undeniable grassroots strength with thousands at rallies and hundreds knocking doors every weekend. Phillips shares insights on federal competition between states, explaining how low-tax states like Texas and Florida are gaining congressional seats and political power while high-tax states like California and New York hemorrhage population—creating a feedback loop that rewards pro-growth policies with increased representation.The episode concludes with Phillips’s direct advice for Britain: the Conservative Party has lost its way by offering “pale pastels” instead of “bold colours” on issues like net zero and energy costs, where British entrepreneurs now pay four times what Texans pay for electricity. Phillips argues that prosperity must be created by culture and political philosophy, not just individual policies, and that Britain has all the ingredients—world-class talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit—but needs leaders willing to raise the banner for economic freedom. Davies and Phillips reflect on the key insight that human nature is universal: everywhere, people want to belong to something bigger, want their voices heard, and want to make a difference for their families and country. The challenge for Britain is adapting that universal truth to local culture and building a movement that celebrates aspiration, rewards success, and treats economic freedom as a bipartisan priority—just as America has with the American Dream. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this Institute of Economic Affairs podcast, Head of Media and Linda Whetstone Scholar Reem Ibrahim interviews Lord Toby Young, journalist, author, and founder of the Free Speech Union. The conversation examines the erosion of free speech in Britain, exploring how Young’s own cancellation in 2018 led him to establish an organisation dedicated to protecting freedom of expression. They discuss the legislative landscape that has restricted speech rights, particularly the Online Safety Act and the problematic use of existing laws like the Malicious Communications Act and Public Order Act to prosecute individuals for their views.Young argues that the current government’s crackdown on free speech stems from a collapsing faith in multiculturalism and fear of populist movements like Reform UK. He explains how authorities are increasingly using censorship rather than engaging in public debate about immigration and other contentious issues. The interview covers specific cases the Free Speech Union has defended, including individuals arrested for social media posts and silent prayer outside abortion clinics. Young criticises the police’s handling of non-crime hate incidents, noting that over 60 are recorded daily despite attempts at reform.The discussion concludes with Young’s perspective on whether Britain needs its own First Amendment. He advocates for repealing restrictive speech laws and establishing constitutional protections similar to those in the United States, while acknowledging the challenges posed by parliamentary sovereignty and judicial interpretation. Despite his concerns about the current state of civil liberties, Young expresses cautious optimism that a future government might prioritise restoring free speech rights, particularly if the British public can be persuaded of their fundamental importance. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

Tom Clougherty, Former Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, hosts a Conservative Party Conference panel discussion on Britain’s tax system and its impact on wealth creators. Joining him are John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, Mark Garnier MP, Shadow Economic Secretary, Samuel Hughes, Editor at Works in Progress, and Alys Denby, Opinion and Features Editor at City AM. The panel examines how Labour’s tax policies - including changes to non-dom status, inheritance tax on global assets, and VAT on private school fees - are driving entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals overseas, with particularly stark examples of the exodus to Italy and America.The discussion covers the complexity of Britain’s 20,000-page tax code and its damaging effects on economic growth. Mark Garnier highlights how British entrepreneurs in their twenties are taking their ideas to countries like Thailand and Vietnam, while Alys Denby reports on the collapse of London’s prime property market and high-profile non-dom departures. Samuel Hughes explains how stamp duty prevents efficient housing allocation and how the upcoming landfill levy threatens to destroy housebuilding viability across urban England. The panel proposes radical solutions including the Taxpayers Alliance’s Single Income Tax model and the abolition of inheritance tax, which polling shows is supported by over 50% across all demographics except PhD holders.The conversation concludes with passionate audience contributions, including an entrepreneur forced to take his start-ups to America for funding and a City lawyer whose firm has hired additional Italian tax specialists to handle the exodus crisis. The panel emphasises that the Conservatives remain the only centre-right party on economics and must develop credible alternatives to Labour’s approach. They argue for policies that reward rather than punish wealth creation, with Mark Garnier warning that envy-driven taxation is forcing Britain’s most productive citizens to seek opportunities elsewhere, ultimately harming the economy and public services that tax revenue supports. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this Institute of Economic Affairs podcast, Managing Editor Daniel Freeman is joined by Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz and Head of Labour Economics Professor Len Shackleton. The conversation covers the Green Party’s wealth tax proposals from newly elected leader Zack Polanski, rising unemployment figures in the UK particularly among young people, and this year’s Nobel Prize winners in economics and what their research tells us about economic growth.The discussion examines why wealth taxes have been abandoned across OECD countries, with Niemietz explaining the French and West German experiences. High administration costs, valuation difficulties, and capital flight emerge as consistent problems. They address claims that asset sales from departing wealthy individuals would benefit the economy, and explore how proposals could affect far more than just billionaires. Shackleton analyses the October unemployment rise to 4.8%, connecting it to increased national insurance contributions, day-one unfair dismissal rules, and minimum wage pressures that particularly impact young workers entering the job market.Freeman discusses the work of Nobel laureates including Joel Mokyr, whose research on the Industrial Revolution challenges common assumptions about education and skills. Rather than university graduates, it was skilled craftsmen like millwrights who proved crucial to industrialisation. The conversation draws parallels to modern policy debates around skills training, property rights, and the importance of domestic factors versus exploitation theories in explaining Western prosperity. They critique narratives attributing British wealth primarily to slavery rather than institutional and cultural factors that enabled innovation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this third episode of the Land of Opportunity series, a partnership between the Institute of Economic Affairs and Land of Opportunity, Andrew Barclay speaks with Alex Tarascio from Signal Polling, a leading Republican polling company in Washington. The conversation examines how Americans really feel about taxes, success, and entrepreneurship—and reveals a striking bipartisan consensus around free enterprise that simply doesn’t exist in Britain. Signal Polling’s research shows that approximately 70% of Americans, across both parties, believe in the American Dream and support free market principles. Even on the left, Americans view tax as an obstacle that deters behavior and kills jobs, not as a social contribution or patriotic duty as it’s often framed in the UK.The discussion uncovers fascinating insights about why blue states are hemorrhaging population to red states, with California on track to lose four congressional seats by 2030 while Texas and Florida each gain four. Alex explains how this isn’t just about economics—it’s about political power, as congressional districts and Electoral College votes follow population. The polling reveals that Americans are deeply skeptical of government promises to raise taxes for better services because they simply don’t believe the money will be spent effectively. Unlike Britain, where the narrative suggests more taxes equal better public services, American voters across the political spectrum would rather have less spending, lower taxes, and fewer services because they don’t trust government to deliver value for money.Perhaps most surprisingly, Signal Polling’s research in both the US and internationally shows that Brits are deeply envious of America’s pro-enterprise culture and the opportunities it creates. While British politicians present tax increases as necessary for public services, Americans instinctively understand that every dollar taken from business is a dollar that can’t be invested in growth, expansion, and hiring. The episode explores how polling methodology itself reveals cultural differences—Americans are more willing to express their true political views, while sophisticated polling techniques like asking “who will your neighbors vote for” help capture real sentiment. The conversation concludes with the observation that the American Dream remains a unifying cultural force that transcends party politics, while Britain lacks any equivalent shared vision of aspiration and opportunity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this first episode of Economy Explained, a new series from the Institute of Economic Affairs, the series examines pressing economic issues through evidence-based analysis. Economy Explained aims to provide clear, objective insights into how economic policy affects everyday life, exploring how market-oriented principles can address current challenges facing national economies. This episode, hosted by Callum Price, Director of Communications, focuses on the UK labour market and the Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill. Price analyses three key policy changes affecting job creation: the rise in minimum wage (including a 16% increase for 18-20 year olds), the hike in employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%, and new employment obligations through the Employment Rights Bill. He examines how these measures are increasing the cost of hiring, explores the government’s productivity arguments, and questions whether laws designed to protect workers might inadvertently reduce job opportunities. The video concludes by making the case for a more flexible labour market that balances worker protections with the ability of businesses to create employment opportunities. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe