IEA Podcast

Fraser Nelson, former Editor of The Spectator, joins IEA Communications Manager Reem Ibrahim to discuss his recent Channel 4 documentary "Britain's Benefits Scandal". Nelson explores the concerning rise in long-term sickness benefits claims across the UK, particularly among young adults aged 25-34, where numbers have increased by 65% in just five years. In this conversation, Nelson explains how the current benefits system creates perverse incentives that can trap people in long-term unemployment. He discusses how those seeking work or training often face the risk of losing their benefits, while the system makes it relatively easy to claim but difficult to transition back into employment. The documentary found that many benefit recipients actually want to work but feel stuck in a complex system. Nelson shares insights from his investigation, including conversations with welfare assessors and benefit recipients, and compares the UK's situation with other countries that have managed to reduce their sickness benefit numbers. He suggests that solutions lie not in harsh crackdowns but in understanding why Britain faces unique challenges in this area and creating better pathways back to work. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this episode of the IEA Briefing, Editorial Director Dr. Kristian Niemietz discusses Jeremy Corbyn's recent speech in Jamaica about reparations and colonialism. Despite losing the general election five years ago, Corbyn remains influential with 2.6 million Twitter followers - more than the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and Chancellor combined. Niemietz explains why Corbyn's social media presence continues to shape public debate. The conversation examines Corbyn's claim that Britain's wealth was built on slavery and colonial exploitation. Niemietz challenges this view, arguing that while some families got rich from the slave trade, the economic gains from colonialism were relatively small compared to the massive capital investment required for the Industrial Revolution. He suggests that colonial administration and military costs may have actually made the empire economically inefficient. Looking at solutions for addressing historical wrongs, Niemietz argues against reparations, questioning the concept of inherited collective guilt and suggesting that such payments wouldn't differ meaningfully from existing foreign aid. Instead, he advocates for free trade as a more effective way to help formerly colonised nations develop economically. The discussion concludes by examining how modern political movements, including Corbyn's followers, approach trade policy based on political alignment rather than economic merit. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this episode of the IEA Podcast, we analyse Angela Rayner's new housing proposals, which include redefining "grey belt" land and changing how housing targets are calculated. Director of Communications Callum Price, Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz, and Managing Editor Daniel Freeman discussed why these market-friendly reforms are coming from an unexpected source and whether they'll be enough to tackle Britain's housing crisis.We then dive into economist Tyler Goodspeed's fascinating analysis of what's really holding back UK growth. While planning restrictions and energy costs play a role, Goodspeed highlights how post-2008 banking regulations have created a credit crunch for British businesses that helps explain the sudden drop in economic growth. The discussion explores why the US banking system, with its many smaller local banks, has proven more resilient. The conversation wraps up with a look at the government's latest push for 5% efficiency savings across departments. Our panel examines whether these targets are realistic, how bureaucracies tend to respond to such demands, and the deeper challenges facing civil service reform - from pay compression to the difficulty of measuring productivity in the public sector. 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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this week’s episode of the IEA Podcast, Callum Price (Director of Communications), Tom Clougherty (Executive Director) and Kristian Niemietz (Editorial Director) analyse Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recent "Plan for Change" speech. The speech set out Labour's vision for growth and public services. Whilst the speech contained some positive ambitions, such as building 1.5 million homes, it lacked a clear theory of change for how these goals can actually be achieved in practice. 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 liberal economic arguments entirely. The discussion explores how domestic policy constraints, particularly in housing and public services, shape the immigration debate. Or listen wherever you get your podcasts!We bring you a current 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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

In this quick-hit episode, IEA's Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz discusses Ludwig von Mises' 1944 book "Bureaucracy" and its relevance to modern government reform efforts. The conversation explores why simply bringing private sector managers into government - like the recent initiative involving Elon Musk - might not be the solution Mises would have recommended. Niemietz explains how Mises saw bureaucracy not as inherently good or bad, but as an inevitable way of organising activity when economic calculation isn't possible. Unlike private companies that can measure success through profit and loss, public sector organisations lack clear metrics, leading them to focus on following processes rather than achieving outcomes. This fundamental difference, rather than the quality of personnel, explains why government departments operate differently than businesses. The discussion then turns to practical implications, comparing different approaches to government reform - from internal efficiency improvements to outright privatisation. Niemietz suggests that while Mises might have been too extreme in rejecting all possibilities for improving state efficiency, his core insight remains valuable: rather than trying to make government do everything better, we should focus on determining what government should and shouldn't do in the first place. 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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe

Join host Callum Price, IEA's Director of Communications, along with Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics, and Kristian Niemietz, Editorial Director, as they explore the recent farmers' protests in Westminster over inheritance tax changes. Our panel dives into the complex debate around taxing agricultural assets, food security, and the broader implications for Britain's countryside. The discussion weighs the principles of fair taxation against the practical challenges faced by family farms and agricultural businesses. The conversation then shifts to the latest free speech controversy involving police action against a journalist over a tweet. Our guests examine how the discourse around free speech has evolved, noting how different political groups change their stance depending on who's being censored. Snowdon and Niemietz discuss the concerning trend of "sensible centrists" failing to defend free speech principles consistently. Finally, Price leads the panel in analysing the growing competition between X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky, examining whether social media platforms are truly natural monopolies. The panel explores how user migration works, the role of influential accounts in platform shifts, and whether these platforms are becoming increasingly politically segregated. They also debate whether platform ownership affects content moderation and user experience. 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.The Institute of Economic Affairs is an educational charity, it does not endorse or give support for any political party in the UK or elsewhere. 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. Get full access to Institute of Economic Affairs | Insider at insider.iea.org.uk/subscribe