IEA Podcast Institute of Economic Affairs

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 covering up risks for decades to avoid compensation, enabled by the NHS's lack of market incentives for transparency and innovation - a catastrophic institutional failure costing thousands of lives. Exploring why the NHS covered up the scandal, Mayer argues introducing market mechanisms to the blood supply could have prevented or resolved it sooner by driving higher quality suppliers, product diversity and safer treatment innovation.

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 need for pro-growth economic reforms. Heffer calls for reining in corporatism and state overreach while incentivizing hard work and self-reliance. He advocates transitioning from a welfare state to a "welfare society" rooted in Victorian values of self-help, making this a must-watch discussion on the future of British politics and economics.

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 regulators. While acknowledging these as positive steps, Clougherty argues that they fail to truly reshape Britain's regulatory landscape fundamentally. The conversation explores the origins of the modern regulatory state, the institutional and cultural forces driving over-regulation, and the structural reforms needed, such as mandatory sunset clauses and a senior government figure spearheading deregulation, to counterbalance these pressures effectively.

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 lockdowns and vaccine passports despite Omicron's low threat. He also weighs in on nanny state overreach, European courts overstepping, and needed reforms to the House of Lords.






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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 those trends to flawed government policies. They also discuss balancing public anti-immigration sentiments against labor demands, potential shifts towards only admitting high-skilled immigrants, and how the small boats issue has toxified the immigration debate, though Harrison notes valid cultural integration concerns exist alongside the economic considerations.

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 long-term sickness inactivity, especially among younger people. They analyze whether disability benefits are being exploited or if socioeconomic factors like mental health, drug abuse, and NHS backlogs are root causes. The pair also examine potential solutions from overhauling welfare incentives to boosting productivity through upskilling. Shackleton provides historical context on the "deserving" vs "undeserving" poor debate framing this complex policy challenge. Tune in for insights on a critical economic issue.