The larger than anticipated jump in UK inflation in April has prompted many to argue that the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee will now be much slower to cut interest rates. But there is, of course, nothing that the MPC can do now about last month’s CPI. The right question to ask is what … Continue reading No, the MPC doesn’t have a time machine…
Author: julianhjessop
UK Q1 GDP: as good as it gets?
The first official estimates suggest that the UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, which was better than most had expected. GDP per head increased by a respectable 0.5%. On the bright side, this should trigger a wave of upward revisions to growth forecasts for 2025 as a whole. (I … Continue reading UK Q1 GDP: as good as it gets?
What to make of Trump’s tariffs?
Here are the slides from a presentation I gave today to sixth form students at a school in Reading. It features a discussion of the pros and (mostly) cons of the new US tariffs policy and concludes with a recommended book and a film for budding economists! What to make of Trump's tariffs (9 May … Continue reading What to make of Trump’s tariffs?
UK-India trade deal is a win-win, despite fears over NI exemptions
The last 24 hours have been frustrating and, frankly, a little weird. ‘Frustrating’ because the benefits of the new UK-India trade deal – a clear Brexit win – are still being overshadowed by the row over social security contributions. ‘Weird’ because I have found myself siding with a Labour government against many people who I … Continue reading UK-India trade deal is a win-win, despite fears over NI exemptions
Plain-speaking Economics 