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NIkhil Arora argues that we need to radically reform that state pension, moving from the current pay-as-you-go model (a Madoff-style ponzi scheme) to a funded system based on personal pension accounts. Basing his proposals on a plan developed for the American Social Security system by the Cato Institute, Arora suggests allowing people to divert their employee National Insurance Contributions into private accounts (surrending their right to a state pension in the process), while employer National Insurance Contributions continue to be paid in order to finance the state pensions of current retirees.

A new tax on financial transactions is the wrong way to help the world's poor, argues Madsen Pirie.

ASI Fellow Eben Wilson examines the future of the UK postal service, arguing that price controls and regulation has taken a heavy toll on the Royal Mail, preventing innovation, stopping them from matching revenue to costs, and letting the organisation be captured by special interest groups. In this context, a free market approach built around privatization, deregulation and competition is the only rational way forward.

Alistair Darling had a chance to start to repair the nation's finances for the future. But he blew it, writes Madsen Pirie.

The bloated expense claims by BBC personnel provides further evidence that the broadcaster cannot be trusted to handle taxpayers' cash, argues Madsen Pirie.

Tom Papworth sets out how to solve the looming pensions crisis.

The Government is overcautious about the risks not just from paedophiles but from all aspects of modern life.

Technological advances, not "live more simply" environmentalism, will deliver a greener planet.

Customers must be offered an alternative to the service which has been constantly interrupted by unofficial action, and which now threatens them with a total stoppage, argues Madsen Pirie.

Most people are not like Rowan Williams' caricature of consumers who find no room for life's finer experiences.