Budget 2021: Think tank response round-up

How have think-tanks and campaign groups responded to the Chancellor’s fiscal and economic initiatives?

Emily Carver: Covid has exposed the flaws in our education system. It’s time for a radical rethink.

It’s disgraceful that somewhere between 15 and 20 per cent of our young people may be “functionally illiterate” when they leave school.

Syed Kamall: There may be advantages to No Deal for both the UK and EU

For the UK, it would say: “we are leaving and want to make our own rules.” For the EU, it would say: “don’t think leaving the EU is easy”.

Spending Review 2020: Think tank response round-up

How have think-tanks and campaign groups responded to the Chancellor’s fiscal and economic news?

Three actions that Ministers must take if we’re to live without fear. Or else they and we will be lost.

If the public conversation about lives and livelihoods doesn’t change, we risk being trapped in semi-lockdown semi-permanently.

Emma Revell: Young people socialising made Sturgeon “want to cry”. If only she got as upset over their debt burden.

During the EU referendum, many politicians claimed to be concerned about younger generations’ futures. But they’ve been mysteriously quiet recently.

Stamp duty cut welcome, but concerns about “tomorrow’s taxpayers”. Centre-right think tanks react to Sunak statement.

Several wonder how these big spending pledges are sustainable.

Emma Revell: Lockdown’s threat to liberty

If we don’t push back against encroaching regulation, there is a very real risk that coercive policies can – and will – overstay their welcome.

HS2’s financial case gets weaker and weaker – but has its political justification held up any better?

The project has its vocal supporters, but there are many areas in the North of England which it will not help at all.

Peter Ainsworth: Universities, rather than government, should lend to their students

The savings for the taxpayer could be used to boost training opportunities for other young people.

Lord Ashcroft’s Conference Diary: Are the “true Brexiteers” too Brexity to deliver Brexit?

And: The Defence Secretary denies we need to pick empires. Plus: More publicans needed in politics – and the menace of the anti-meat lobby.

Kevin Hollinrake and Rosalind Beck: Rent controls would hit London hardest

Landlords in the capital already have lower yields than those elsewhere. Who is going to choose to build homes to rent if there is no return on investment?

Kristian Niemietz: How, and how not, to use the ‘V-word’ when debating the Left

Don’t pray Venezuela in aid when trying to counter run-of-the-mill left-wing policies – it cheapens the real case.

Iain Mansfield: We have nothing to fear from No Deal

It would bring with it many compensations, including regulatory freedom, tariff income and £39 billion of cold, hard cash.

Let’s turn Railways Day into Scrap HS2 Day

“How would you feel if we spent the money on local transport links in the Midlands and the north?’’ Gove asked Conservative MPs last year.