Responding to the King’s Speech, Robert Colvile, Centre for Policy Studies Director, said:
‘It was welcome to see the Government adopting many of the policies recommended by the Centre for Policy Studies – tackling low-quality degrees, introducing minimum service requirements during strikes, supporting domestic energy production, confirming Britain’s membership of the CPTPP trading pact and so on.
‘But it was striking that the robust line on law and order issues was not matched by a similarly imaginative approach to the economy and the size of the state. A speech that promised to address ‘the drivers of low growth’ saw the continued expansion of the state and state power into new sectors of the economy and society. The Autumn Statement surely needs to reverse that trend.’
On energy security, Karl Williams, Deputy Research Director, said:
‘Expanding North Sea oil production is a welcome move that will enhance Britain’s energy security but the Government should go much further and provide businesses with certainty. While North Sea operators remain subject to punitive tax rates following last year’s ill-advised windfall tax, investment levels are likely to remain at record lows.’
On digital markets and encryption, Matthew Feeney, Head of Tech and Innovation, said:
‘The Government pressing ahead with the DMCC Bill without any sign of addressing the core problems, namely granting the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) unchecked powers to regulate digital markets, is disappointing. The Government should prepare for another debate over encryption if the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill does not safeguard the security of messaging services, like WhatsApp, used by millions of Britons.’
On education, Emma Revell, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, said:
‘Proposals to reduce the number of young people studying poor-quality university degrees are welcome although detail is still required. The CPS has set out recommendations on how this could be done, including reforming the tuition fee system to make universities more directly accountable for the quality and future earning potential of degrees.’
END
Notes to Editors
- For further information and media requests, please contact Emma Revell on 07931 698246 and [email protected] or Josh Coupland on 07912 485655 and [email protected]
- The Centre for Policy Studies is one of the oldest and most influential think tanks in Westminster. With a focus on taxation, economic growth, business, welfare, education, housing and green growth, its goal is to develop policies that widen enterprise, ownership and opportunity.
Date Added: Tuesday 7th November 2023
