Articles by Ryan Bourne

Ryan Bourne is the Economic and Statistical Researcher at the Centre for Policy Studies. He tweets as @RyanCPS .

Is it time to re-introduce the 10p income tax band?

All things considered, is it time to bring back the 10p income tax band, scrapped by Gordon Brown?
by Ryan Bourne - 11 January 2013
An open letter to supporters of stimulus/opponents of austerity (especially Labour supporters)

Many in Britain believe that austerity is to blame for the lack of a robust recovery. Perhaps they would care to answer these questions
by Ryan Bourne - 5 September 2012
Why the government has been wrong on all three recent tax headline stories

In a response to James Dowling's article in defence of David Gauke, Ryan Bourne outlines why he believes the government has been wrong on all three tax headline stories in recent times
by Ryan Bourne - 25 July 2012
There is zero evidence that cutting spending increases deficits

We can argue about how quickly we want to close the deficit. We can argue about what leads to economic growth. But can we please stop making silly claims that borrowing can be self-financing?
by Ryan Bourne - 5 July 2012
Where's the vision thing, Dave?

The coalition can't justify the radical action required for Britain because they're fighting in the New Labour framework. This is why Cameron must articulate a wider vision for the future
by Ryan Bourne - 8 June 2012
There is evidence that small government countries grow faster

Reducing the size of the state as a proportion of the economy should have been an aim in itself, even if we didn’t have a deficit right now
by Ryan Bourne - 25 May 2012
CPS Reaction to Budget - Pro-business rhetoric but little substance

This Budget had moves in the right direction, but it needed to be much bolder in its pro-business agenda
by Tim Knox and Ryan Bourne - 21 March 2012
The Good Samaritan did not just have good intentions – he also had money

It’s time for the Chancellor to make the case for capitalism, and recognise that as Margaret Thatcher outlined, the Good Samaritan did not just have good intentions – he also had money
by Ryan Bourne - 14 March 2012
We need more than divine intervention to pay off our debts

That it is left to a former Archbishop to highlight the immorality of debt, when many Conservatives would rather talk about immorality of high pay, is a worrying sign indeed
by Ryan Bourne - 25 January 2012
The Conservatives still have to fight, and win, the ideological battle for future prosperity

To have the courage of your convictions strengthens rather than hinders you. It’s time to shake off the obsession with the centre ground and offer the public a positive vision for the future
by Ryan Bourne - 22 December 2011
The Autumn Statement leaves us walking a debt tightrope

Osborne’s growth plan simply wasn’t bold enough. More effort should have been diverted to ensuring the conditions for broad job creation
by Ryan Bourne - 30 November 2011
Let's end talk of a 'lost generation' and make it easier for the private sector to create jobs

Today’s figures show the risk of not prioritising job creation in the private sector. Time is of the essence
by Ryan Bourne - 16 November 2011
Has the penny dropped for George Osborne?

George Osborne rose to the challenge again yesterday, outlining the list of Government achievements in delivering a credible plan for deficit reduction and in beginning to halt the slide in UK competitiveness.
by Ryan Bourne - 4 October 2011
Without exposing the Guilty Men in the Eurozone debate, we won’t learn for the future

Far from being xenophobic and mad, as they were derided at the time, many Conservatives including Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, and John Redwood, showed ‘remarkable prescience and moral courage in fighting for our monetary sovereignty.’
by Ryan Bourne - 23 September 2011