ThinkTent

The cost of living crisis: is the worst yet to come?

Monday, 3rd October 17.45 – 18.45 From petrol prices to food, energy bills to your tax bill – the cost of everything is increasing. But is the worst yet to come on the cost of living crisis? And is there anything the government can do about it? Speakers: Mike Denham (Chair), Chairman, TaxPayers’ Alliance StephenContinue reading “The cost of living crisis: is the worst yet to come?”

Politics and prohibition – should smoking be banned for good?

Monday, 3rd October 15:15 – 16:15 Smoking, it is said, costs the UK over £13bn a year. A potentially addictive habit that can damage people’s health, the Government wants England to be ‘smoke free’ by 2030. Now the market offers a range of reduced risk products, is it time to ban cigarettes for good orContinue reading “Politics and prohibition – should smoking be banned for good?“

Great British Railways: what’s next for rail?

Monday, 3rd October | 14.00-15.00Hosted by the IEA & RSSB What does the next decade look like for rail? What progress has been made so far with the transition to the Great British Railways body, and what should the new government be doing to address the challenges ahead? Speakers: Mark Littlewood (Chair), Director General ofContinue reading “Great British Railways: what’s next for rail?“

UK drug reform: is it time to rethink drug policy?

Monday, 3rd October | 12.45 – 13.45 What are the benefits of broadening drug policy beyond the misuse of drugs? Psilocybin’s proven to treat cluster migraines. Cannabis has been shown to treat Alzheimer’s and multiple mental health conditions. Is now the time to move to more evidence-based drug policy, or are these still hazardous substancesContinue reading “UK drug reform: is it time to rethink drug policy?“

Is the UK’s approach to apprenticeships failing the levelling up agenda?

Monday, 3rd October | 11.30 – 12.30 Hosted by The UK needs a skills agenda to boost productivity, create green jobs, drive innovation and ease the burden on taxpayers. Should there be more vocational pathways which offer more opportunity for social mobility? Is more focus needed on upskilling and reskilling to build the industries ofContinue reading “Is the UK’s approach to apprenticeships failing the levelling up agenda?”

Energy crisis: can the UK afford net zero?

Monday, 3rd October | 10.15 – 11.15 Does the drive to net zero punish the poorest in society? Is maintaining the 2050 target unrealistic considering the growing threat to energy security? Or is net zero the only way to combat climate change and would the economic, social, and environmental costs be far greater if weContinue reading “Energy crisis: can the UK afford net zero?”

The TPA’s Great Council Tax Debate

Monday, 3rd October | 09.00 – 10.00 After almost three decades of council tax, is it still the best way to fund local councils and services? Are councils doing the best they can with the resources they have? Does a cap in rises protect local taxpayers or encourage consistent increases? Are unitaries the future? Speakers:Continue reading “The TPA’s Great Council Tax Debate”

Is the UK a safe space for free speech?

Sunday 2nd October | 16.30 – 17.30 Some say free speech has taken a hammering in recent years. Online, on university campuses, and in advertising, the voices of censorship seem to grow ever louder. But does this reflect reality? And how can free speech advocates defend the rights to speak, offend and oppose, from thoseContinue reading “Is the UK a safe space for free speech?”

In Conversation with… Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP

Mark Littlewood | is the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs. Since 2009, Mark has overseen the expansion of the IEA’s influence and media profile. Mark appears regularly on TV and Radio, often featuring as a guest on flagship political programmes such as BBC Question Time, Newsnight, Sky News and the Today Programme.Continue reading “In Conversation with… Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP”

UK Free Trade After Brexit: The United States and Beyond

Sunday 4th October | 16.00-17.00Hosted by In the months since Brexit, the British government has moved assertively to demonstrate its commitment to free trade. The U.K. recently announced an agreement in principle for a free trade agreement with Japan, and it has negotiated a wide range of continuity agreements with existing trading partners. But theContinue reading “UK Free Trade After Brexit: The United States and Beyond”