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| CPS (Centre for Policy Studies) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Centre for Policy Studies |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founders | Margaret Thatcher, Keith Joseph |
| Location | London |
| Focus | Conservative Party (UK), Public policy |
CPS (Centre for Policy Studies) is a United Kingdom-based think tank established in 1974 to promote market-oriented public policies. It has been associated with high-profile British politicians, academic economists, and policy debates involving taxation, welfare, regulation, and privatization. CPS has interacted with a wide range of political figures, institutions, and media outlets across the UK and internationally.
The CPS was founded in 1974 by Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph with early involvement from figures associated with Conservative Party (UK), Institute of Economic Affairs, Adam Smith Institute, Herbert Spencer, Friedrich Hayek, and Milton Friedman-type thinkers. In the 1970s and 1980s CPS publications intersected with debates involving Edward Heath, Neil Kinnock, Dennis Healey, Edward Heath, Enoch Powell and policy shifts such as the Privatization in the United Kingdom, Monetarism, and the response to the Winter of Discontent (1978–79). The CPS worked alongside organizations like the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Centre for European Reform, Policy Exchange, Demos (UK think tank), Institute for Fiscal Studies, and international counterparts including Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, Hudson Institute, and Fraser Institute. Its archives have been cited in biographies of Margaret Thatcher, histories of the Conservative Party (UK), studies of Thatcherism, and analyses of New Right (United Kingdom) politics.
CPS articulates positions rooted in market liberalism influenced by classics of Austrian School, Chicago School, and liberal conservative thought associated with Edmund Burke, John Locke, and Adam Smith. Its policy prescriptions have included supply-side economics, deregulation, privatization, tax cuts linked to debates over Value Added Tax, Income Tax (United Kingdom), and Council Tax. CPS policy papers have addressed welfare reform in relation to the Welfare State, unemployment responses like those debated during the Ministry of Labour (UK), and public sector reform comparable to programs under Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. On international affairs CPS commentary has intersected with issues involving European Union, Brexit, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and trade arrangements such as World Trade Organization negotiations.
The CPS operates as an independent policy unit headquartered in London with governance structures including a board comparable to those of Chatham House and Institute for Public Policy Research. Funding sources historically include private donors, corporate donations from firms like major banks and multinational corporations similar to those involved with Barclays, HSBC, and consultancy contracts akin to McKinsey & Company engagements; grant-making foundations in the mold of Soros (George Soros), Carnegie Corporation of New York, and philanthropic mechanisms resembling Trusts (law). Transparency and funding disclosure have been discussed in the context of regulations such as those enforced by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and norms followed by Transparency International.
Key figures associated with CPS include founders Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph as well as directors and trustees who have included MPs, academics, and journalists comparable to names like Michael Portillo, Oliver Letwin, William Hague, Norman Tebbit, Nicky Morgan, David Cameron, and commentators such as Simon Jenkins and Andrew Rawnsley. Economists and policy analysts linked to CPS-style networks include Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, James Buchanan, Arthur Laffer, Timothy Besley, Philip Hammond, and advisers with careers crossing institutions like Bank of England, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
CPS produces policy papers, briefing notes, reports, and books aimed at legislators, media outlets such as The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, BBC, and international press including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Publications have covered taxation reforms, regulatory impact studies, education policy juxtaposed with debates involving Department for Education (UK), health policy against National Health Service (England), and housing policies related to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. CPS research has been cited in parliamentary debates at House of Commons and House of Lords and considered by select committees similar to Public Accounts Committee.
CPS has influenced policy shifts associated with Thatcherism, including privatization of utilities such as the British Gas Corporation and financial deregulation captured by events like the Big Bang (1986). Its ideas have been influential within factions of the Conservative Party (UK), in broader policy networks spanning Downing Street, and in policy exchanges with transatlantic actors like Republican Party (United States) strategists and Democratic Leadership Council-style centrists. CPS work has intersected with legislation like Trade Union Act 1984 debates and fiscal policy shifts during chancellorships including Nigel Lawson and Gordon Brown-era responses.
CPS has faced critique from rival think tanks such as Fabian Society, Compass (organisation), and academic critics affiliated with London School of Economics, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge. Criticisms focus on alleged donor influence, policy prescriptions blamed for austerity measures likened to those during 2010s United Kingdom austerity programme, social effects compared in analyses of Income inequality in the United Kingdom, and methodological disputes with bodies like the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Media scrutiny has invoked investigative reports in outlets including Channel 4 and The Guardian concerning transparency and links to corporate donors.
Category:Think tanks based in the United Kingdom Category:Political organisations based in London