Robin Hood tax & Cardinal Keith O'Brien

Sam Bowman argues on BBC Radio Scotland that Cardinal Keith O"Brien is wrong to call on the government to introduce a Robin Hood Tax. He argues that the tax would bring in any significant revenue, would drive traders abroad and would make everyone poorer. It would effectively wipe out derivatives trading and would be tantamount to economic suicide.

You can listen to his discussion on the Robin Hood Tax on BBC Radio Scotland here (from 2:14onwards). 

The insanity of subsidising manufacturing

He argues that manufacturing employment has fallen as a result of an increase in productivity in the manufacturing sector. He argues that this change is a global and structural, and there is no point subsidising industry.

Read the full article on Telegraph.co.uk here.

Summary

Tim Worstall, ASI senior fellow, writes on Telegraph.co.uk on why manufacturing should not be subsidised. 

Should everyone have the right to strike?

Sam Bowman talks on BBC Radio Newcastle on why people should be able to strike as a last resort, but also why it shouldn't be enshrined in law. The current law is weighted in favour of the big unions who constantly threaten to strike. You don't need a union to guarantee you are treated well in a job - most people aren't members of unions and unions are no longer a necessity to ensure job security.

You can listen to the full interview here (from 22minutes in).

ASI Budget analysis

He argues that chancellors can not generate wealth, but only redistribute it and that they ought to create the conditions for growth. He argues that the budget does well in many respects, but falls short considerably elsewhere.

Summary

Tom Clougherty writes on Politics First about whether the 2012 Budget can breathe life into the British economy.