A century ago, economists believed that increases in economic productivity would lead to drastically shorter working weeks by the beginning of the 21st century. Although these predictions have not yet materialised, recent years have seen an increased interest in instituting a 4-day work week. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses how a 4-day week might benefit… Read more »
Category: Blog
Calling time on National Insurance
Expanding the system of National Insurance in 1948 was the ingenious trump card played by the post-war Labour Government to help overcome Conservative Party and establishment opposition to its proposals for a British welfare state and National Health Service. National Insurance in 2023, however, is simply a disguised form of income tax which falls disproportionately… Read more »
Do more, more quickly – eating disorders among the young at crisis levels
Liz Emerson, IF Co-founder, asks whether any progress has been made over reducing the huge waiting lists for mental health support facing children and young people with eating disorders.
Environmental crises and young people’s mental health
IF Student Volunteer, Charlotte Foster, highlights the effects that multiple environmental crises are having on young people’s mental health and calls for the redoubling of our commitment to reducing the impacts of humans on the environment.
Family homes versus lifetime homes
Twenty years ago Philip Yorke studied Construction Economics and Management at UCL, Bartlett. In this article Philip asks why younger generations cannot have family homes?
Should house prices fall to help young people?
Angus Hanton, IF Co-founder, argues that Kier Starmer is wrong to claim that no homeowner wants to see house price falls
How to improve student loan repayment terms for graduates
The student loan system is broken. For the crime of pursuing a higher education, many graduates in England face an additional 9% marginal tax for most of their working lives. Alec Haglund, IF Researcher, discusses IF analysis of the best ways to lower the debt burden for graduates.
Peak population – the burden to come
Global population slowing and ageing, low economic growth, high taxation and the grey vote. IF supporter, Philip Yorke, explores the many drivers holding back young people in the UK.
Student loans – it’s the economy stupid
In this article, IF supporter and father, Philip Yorke, argues that the student loan system affects the whole economy, and by looking forward a generation it is obvious how untenable this funding method will become.
Behind France’s pension reform – the battle for intergenerational fairness
Maxime Sbaihi, economist and author of “Le grand vieillissement” (“The Great Ageing”) explains why the French pension reform has hit the wrong target on intergenerational fairness grounds.