Eurozone — the Road to Fiscal Union Download Paper

This paper discusses several key issues, including how the Eurozone member states’ relinquishment of their monetary levers has caused economic booms and busts, why equilibrium hasn’t been settled by free movement of persons, how certain European institutions need strengthening to support stability, recommendations for the creation of further federal institutions, proposals to strengthen the criteria for Eurozone entry & Greece’s future in the Eurozone

Road Charging and Privatisation Download Paper

An argument for the privatisation of Britain’s major roads, with compulsory GPS trackers fitted in cars to monitor road use, in order to rebalance the cost of driving vis-a-vis rail trainsport and to improve efficiency in the upkeep of the road network.

Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland Download Paper

A paper assessing the potential costs and benefits of lowering corporation tax in Northern Ireland. We conclude that while potential benefits of a reduction in corporation tax may be high in the very long term, the costs are very likely to be high in the short term and may well remain so in the future. Potential benefits are far too uncertain for Northern Ireland to risk a significant corporation tax rate reduction; and a small reduction may be ineffectual in attracting significant amounts of new business.

Student Finance: Repayment of Graduate Debt Download Paper

An assessment of mechanisms to repay graduate debt, with four proposals to improve the system: median earnings to be the income threshold at which repayments are made, CPI + 3% to be the interest rate paid on graduate debt (with rate relief for low earners), early repayment to be permitted with no penalty, and the progressive aspects of the system to be publicised clearly and aggressively.

The “Robin Hood Tax”: a rejection Download Paper

An analysis of the popular proposal for a “Robin Hood Tax” on financial transactions, focusing on its international applicability and the additional cost it would impose upon transactions; and a rejection in favour of a “Tobin tax” focused only on foreign exchange transactions.

Fiduciary Duty on Bankers: Imposing Liability for Faulty M&A Advice Download Paper

In the context of strong academic and judicial support within the UK, and precedent from abroad, this report proposes the imposition of a fiduciary duty on Merger & Acquisition advisers.

Stabilising House Prices Download Paper

In order to remove excess volatility in the housing market, this report proposes to replace stamp duty with a capital gains tax on all houses, with the tax rate dependent on the growth rate of house prices in the region. Its revenue would be hypothecated to house-building schemes in order to lower house prices in general.

Avoiding Tax Avoidance Download Paper

A comprehensive assessment of the situation on tax avoidance and non-domicile status in 2009, proposing to alter Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) firstly by raising charges on imported goods exempt from VAT, and secondly by investigating possible breaches in EU law on LVCR by companies operating in UK and Jersey.

Stop the Lights Going Out: Maintaining a Reliable Power Supply in Britain Download Paper

An assessment of the demand-side and supply-side measures that could be taken to improve the capacity and reliability of Britain’s energy network, proposing compulsory smart meters by 2014, the introduction of a carbon tax, the extension of the life of coal-burning plants until 2020 and consumer awareness campaigns on efficient energy use.

Regulation and Reform of the Greyhound Racing Industry Download Paper

This paper sets out to evaluate the state of the greyhound racing industry in the United Kingdom, looking at regulatory structures and mechanisms, and incentives for racing and animal welfare. The paper argues for the closure of unregulated tracks, and for the industry to look into accessing funds from unclaimed winnings and dormant betting accounts to increasing support for animal welfare and effective self regulation.

Tackling Homelessness Download Paper

Tackling Homelessness proposes a set of 13 policies to reduce the number of people becoming homeless and to make it easier for the homeless to be re-housed. Proposals cover increased provision of services to the homeless, including an expansion of the government’s duty to provide emergency housing, the provision of specialist mobile health care clinics, and the provision of a PO Box and voicemail service to the homeless. Significant reforms to the way housing benefit is administered are also called for, to make it easier for the homeless to re-enter housing and to prevent new homelessness occuring. Finally, a set of policies are presented to increase available housing by maximising use of existing homes and by increasing the housing stock.

Public Health Regarding Medical Treatments Download Paper

A proposal to improve efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of medical treatment in five ways: firstly, to publicly run all Phase III clinical trials, secondly to only approve drugs for treating a particular condition rather than for general sale, thirdly that NICE must consider a treatment cost-effective for each condition for it to be approved to treat that condition, fourthly to cap NHS drug prices at £20k/patient/QUALY, and finally to allow the NHS to produce combined medications. Updated in August 2011 in response to the impending move to value based pricing.

Penal Reform for Alcohol and Drug Related Crime Download Paper

A call for a radical alteration of the legal penalties for alcohol and drug related crime, in addition to prison sentences for serious crimes and replacing prison sentences for non-serious crimes; the report proposes compulsory placement of offenders on a programme which tests daily for excessive drug and alcohol levels and imposes an immediate 24 hour prison sentence if offenders fail the test.

Introducing Money-saving Policies in the NHS Download Paper

A proposal to levy a £5 surgery fee for each GP appointment, on the German model, with exemptions for certain disadvantaged groups, and to levy a fine on patients who do not attend appointments at GP surgeries or hospital outpatient departments, to raise awareness of the cost of appointments, reduce non-attendance and discourage unnecessary GP visits.

Increasing Government Support for ‘Temporary Urban Space’ Initiatives on Abandoned Brownfield Sites Download Paper

A proposal for British cities to emulate Berlin’s success in regenerating abandoned areas, by funding cultural regeneration activities, by giving special incentives such as reduced tax rates to investments in the area, and by reducing regulation on the spontaneous creation of youth-culture areas including graffiti zones and skate parks.

Stop the Lights Going Out: Maintaining a Reliable Power Supply in Britain Download Paper

An assessment of the demand-side and supply-side measures that could be taken to improve the capacity and reliability of Britain’s energy network, proposing compulsory smart meters by 2014, the introduction of a carbon tax, the extension of the life of coal-burning plants until 2020 and consumer awareness campaigns on efficient energy use.

National Security and the Prime Minister – George Bangham & Sarang Shah Download Paper

A new paper by George Bangham and Sarang Shah, examining the UK’s National Security Council since its formation by David Cameron in 2010.

Locating the NSC’s formation in wider debates on the UK’s constitution, the executive authority of the Prime Minister within Cabinet government, and the role of military intelligence in policymaking, it proposes two major changes to the NSC’s role and its associated regulatory framework.

Firstly, it is proposed that the NSC be placed on a statutory footing as an amendment to current legislation in the Intelligence Services Act (1994). Defining the NSC’s existence and requiring its decision on certain executive powers such as the declaration of war would, in this paper’s estimation, act as a valuable constitutional check on Prime Ministerial power.

Secondly, a strengthened framework is proposed for the regulation of the NSC by Parliament, though the Intelligence & Security Committee. The case is made that, if national security in the 21^st century may be defined as a public confidence that normal life may be conducted without personal or national danger, the public interest is served by more open scrutiny of high-level security policy, thereby increasing public confidence and accountability.

The authors are grateful for the help of Lord Wilson of Dinton, Professor Christopher Andrew, The Rt Hon. Jack Straw MP, and the members of the Wilberforce Society in their seminar.

Please cite this paper as: The Wilberforce Society, ‘National Security and the Prime Minister’ (Cambridge, March 2012)

Responsibility to protect – or right to interfere? Download Paper

This paper argues that the UK should state its intention to adopt the Right to Protect as its sole grounds for international intervention, in accordance with the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty’s report, The Responsibility to Protect by G. Evans & M. Sahnoun. This was discussed at a meeting with the counsel of George Grant, Director for Global Security & Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society.

Long-term Strategy for Facilitating a Regime Change in Iran Download Paper

A four-faceted proposal for Britain and the USA to facilitate a peaceful limited regime change in Iran through increased engagement with Iran and moderate Iranian politicians and clerics, working with Iran to tackle domestic Iranian terrorism, implementing focused sanctions while lifting general ones, and proposing a permanent US representative in Iran.

A Bill of Rights for the UK — a Special Report Download Paper

TWS was invited to submit its views to the government’s independent Commission on a Bill of Rights’ public consultation. In response, a seven person committee was formed under John Kwan, TWS’s Head of Legal Policy, and worked to produce a substantial 50 page report. The paper proposes that a new Bill of Rights should recognize and legislate for new rights — to Internet access, to education and healthcare, and for victims of crime.

A Parliament for England: The unfinished project of devolution in Britain Download Paper

This proposal sets out to address the inequalities of the unfinished project of devolution in Britain. It advocates the creation of a devolved English Parliament, modelled on the Scottish Parliament. The paper was discussed with the counsel of Prof Andrew Gamble, Head of POLIS, Cambridge.

Internet Access as a Fundamental Right Download Paper

The UK should recognise a right to Internet access which reflects public opinion within the country and beyond. This will put the UK in a strong position in any future discussion on a European-wide or even international Convention on the recognition of such right, which seems inevitable.

A Written Constitution for the United Kingdom Download Paper

A presentation of the case for the adoption of a UK written constitution, after society-wide consultation, to entrench fundamental human rights and to clarify constitutional arrangement regarding the roles of different branches of government and parliament, and to vest the power to interpret the constitution in the judiciary.

National Security and the Prime Minister – George Bangham & Sarang Shah Download Paper

A new paper by George Bangham and Sarang Shah, examining the UK’s National Security Council since its formation by David Cameron in 2010.

Locating the NSC’s formation in wider debates on the UK’s constitution, the executive authority of the Prime Minister within Cabinet government, and the role of military intelligence in policymaking, it proposes two major changes to the NSC’s role and its associated regulatory framework.

Firstly, it is proposed that the NSC be placed on a statutory footing as an amendment to current legislation in the Intelligence Services Act (1994). Defining the NSC’s existence and requiring its decision on certain executive powers such as the declaration of war would, in this paper’s estimation, act as a valuable constitutional check on Prime Ministerial power.

Secondly, a strengthened framework is proposed for the regulation of the NSC by Parliament, though the Intelligence & Security Committee. The case is made that, if national security in the 21^st century may be defined as a public confidence that normal life may be conducted without personal or national danger, the public interest is served by more open scrutiny of high-level security policy, thereby increasing public confidence and accountability.

The authors are grateful for the help of Lord Wilson of Dinton, Professor Christopher Andrew, The Rt Hon. Jack Straw MP, and the members of the Wilberforce Society in their seminar.

Please cite this paper as: The Wilberforce Society, ‘National Security and the Prime Minister’ (Cambridge, March 2012)

Regulation and Reform of the Greyhound Racing Industry Download Paper

This paper sets out to evaluate the state of the greyhound racing industry in the United Kingdom, looking at regulatory structures and mechanisms, and incentives for racing and animal welfare. The paper argues for the closure of unregulated tracks, and for the industry to look into accessing funds from unclaimed winnings and dormant betting accounts to increasing support for animal welfare and effective self regulation.

Tackling Homelessness Download Paper

Tackling Homelessness proposes a set of 13 policies to reduce the number of people becoming homeless and to make it easier for the homeless to be re-housed. Proposals cover increased provision of services to the homeless, including an expansion of the government’s duty to provide emergency housing, the provision of specialist mobile health care clinics, and the provision of a PO Box and voicemail service to the homeless. Significant reforms to the way housing benefit is administered are also called for, to make it easier for the homeless to re-enter housing and to prevent new homelessness occuring. Finally, a set of policies are presented to increase available housing by maximising use of existing homes and by increasing the housing stock.

A Bill of Rights for the UK — a Special Report Download Paper

TWS was invited to submit its views to the government’s independent Commission on a Bill of Rights’ public consultation. In response, a seven person committee was formed under John Kwan, TWS’s Head of Legal Policy, and worked to produce a substantial 50 page report. The paper proposes that a new Bill of Rights should recognize and legislate for new rights — to Internet access, to education and healthcare, and for victims of crime.

A Parliament for England: The unfinished project of devolution in Britain Download Paper

This proposal sets out to address the inequalities of the unfinished project of devolution in Britain. It advocates the creation of a devolved English Parliament, modelled on the Scottish Parliament. The paper was discussed with the counsel of Prof Andrew Gamble, Head of POLIS, Cambridge.

Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland Download Paper

A paper assessing the potential costs and benefits of lowering corporation tax in Northern Ireland. We conclude that while potential benefits of a reduction in corporation tax may be high in the very long term, the costs are very likely to be high in the short term and may well remain so in the future. Potential benefits are far too uncertain for Northern Ireland to risk a significant corporation tax rate reduction; and a small reduction may be ineffectual in attracting significant amounts of new business.

Student Finance: Repayment of Graduate Debt Download Paper

An assessment of mechanisms to repay graduate debt, with four proposals to improve the system: median earnings to be the income threshold at which repayments are made, CPI + 3% to be the interest rate paid on graduate debt (with rate relief for low earners), early repayment to be permitted with no penalty, and the progressive aspects of the system to be publicised clearly and aggressively.

Fiduciary Duty on Bankers: Imposing Liability for Faulty M&A Advice Download Paper

In the context of strong academic and judicial support within the UK, and precedent from abroad, this report proposes the imposition of a fiduciary duty on Merger & Acquisition advisers.

A Bill of Rights for the UK — a Special Report Download Paper

TWS was invited to submit its views to the government’s independent Commission on a Bill of Rights’ public consultation. In response, a seven person committee was formed under John Kwan, TWS’s Head of Legal Policy, and worked to produce a substantial 50 page report. The paper proposes that a new Bill of Rights should recognize and legislate for new rights — to Internet access, to education and healthcare, and for victims of crime.