ASI blog "Britain needs more slums" features in the Independent

An Adam Smith Institute blog, written by the 2015 winner of our Young Writer on Liberty award, has featured in The Independent:

“Britain has a sore lack of proper slums,” argued Clifford, winner of the 18-21 age category of the Institute’s “Young Writer on Liberty” competition. “Government regulations designed to clamp down on ‘cowboy landlords’ restrict people’s ability to choose the kind of accommodation in which they want to live.”

Clifford suggested that communal living would be more attractive to young people, admitting that he too was struggling to get on the housing ladder.

Read the full article here.

Kate Andrews's comments on the London tube strike feature in The Daily Mail

Head of Communications Kate Andrews's comments on today's tube strike were featured in The Daily Mail.

Kate Andrews, of the free-market Adam Smith Institute, said commuters would be shocked at striking Tube drivers earning twice as much as those operating buses.

She said: ‘Today’s strikers have a cushier salary and benefit package than many of those who take the Tube to work – and yet those less well-off are inconvenienced once again.’

The quote was also used in a Mail Online article here.

ASI comments on the sale of public assets feature in The Scotsman

The Adam Smith Institute's comments on the sale of public assets to pay off the deficit have featured in The Scotsman.

The Chancellor’s privatisation programme met with the approval of the Adam Smith Institute.

Read the full article here.

Kate Andrews's comment piece on ASI blog 'Britain needs more slums' features in City A.M.

Kate Andrews discusses ASI blog "Britain needs more slums" in City AM.

A blog recently posted on the ASI website seems to have driven some angry reaction. “Britain needs more slums” proclaimed Theo Clifford, the winner of our 18-21 category of our Young Writer on Liberty Competition.

While the ASI has a policy of publishing a whole range of opinions (views expressed on the blog are those of the writers, not the organisation), I can certainly throw my support behind this piece, which draws attention to the ongoing housing crisis across the UK and mocks the government's stance on regulation.

Read the full comment piece here.

Sam Bowman discusses the sell-off of RBS on LBC

Deputy Director of the Adam Smith Institute Sam Bowman spoke to LBC about the sell-off of RBS. Starts are 6:11 (Tuesday, 4th August 2015). Click here.

ASI report "Cash in the Attic" features in The Daily Telegraph

Adam Smith Institute report Cash in the Attic has featured in The Daily Telegraph:

Research last year by the Adam Smith Institute highlighted a possible £90bn-worth of privatisations, including assets such as Network Rail and trust ports including Port of Dover. However, the study went further by identifying a further £337bn of assets listed under the 2007 Public Asset Register. Even if less than 10pc of these land assets were sold it would more than double the potential windfall that the Government can hope to gain from its proposed sell-offs.

Read the full article here.

Press Release: Chancellor should follow RBS sell-off with £40bn in state privatizations

For further comments or to arrange an interview, contact Head of Communications Kate Andrews: kate@adamsmith.org | 07584 778207. Following the government’s RBS share sell-off, Deputy Director of the Adam Smith Institute Sam Bowman said:

The Chancellor is right to begin selling off its stake in RBS this week. The shares are worth what they are worth now, and it is a fantasy to assume that holding on to them longer will inevitably lead to a higher sell price down the road. But Mr Osborne should go much, much further.

In 2013 the Adam Smith Institute identified over £40bn in government assets that could be sold off by 2018 to raise funds to reduce the national debt. This included the government's stake in Urenco and a minority stake in Network Rail, as well as £23bn of government-owned real estate in needlessly expensive parts of the country.

The 'selling off the family silver' argument does not work if useful resources are being misused. A new wave of privatizations would help to move government real estate and other inefficiently-held assets to where they can be used most effectively for the public good.

Notes to Editors:

Click here to download ASI report Cash in the Attic: Realising the proceeds from government-owned property.

The Adam Smith Institute is a free market, libertarian think tank based in London. It advocates classically liberal public policies to create a richer, freer world.

Sam Bowman's comments on the Calais crisis feature in the International Business Times UK

Deputy Director Sam Bowman's comments on the Calais crisis feature in the IBTimes UK:

Sam Bowman, deputy head of the Adam Smith Institute, said: "The Poles, the Jews and the Huguenots are all examples of when taking in refugees has turned out well for the UK from an economic perspective. Ugandan Asians are one of the most successful migrant groups in the world, not just in Britain.

"In fact, large influxes of every group have resulted in an economic positive from a fiscal point of view."

Read the full article here.

Sam Bowman argues against sugar taxes on BBC Radio Ulster

Deputy Director Sam Bowman discusses Tesco's decision to remove Ribena from its shop and argues against sugar taxes on BBC Radio Ulster. Listen to the interview here. (Starts 1:58:52)

Kate Andrews argues against UK farming subsidies on BBC Five Live

Head of Communications Kate Andrews argued against UK farming subsidies and the moral obligation to 'buy British' on BBC 5 Live. Listen to the interview here. (Starts 7:33)