The Treasury is keeping busy, but hopefully not too busy. On the same day as the Prime Minister unveiled the ‘health and social care levy’, the Chancellor revealed last week that we will only have to wait another 50 days for the Autumn Budget, due on October 27. The focus next month will probably be on … Continue reading Stronger economy should save us from further tax rises
Author: julianhjessop
How to solve a problem like the ‘triple lock’
Few subjects are as touchy as the annual increase in the state pension. My own view is that it would be right to tweak the ‘triple lock’ this year, but wrong to scrap it completely - at least until we have come up with something better. Just in case you have been on the Moon, … Continue reading How to solve a problem like the ‘triple lock’
The EU’s vaccine failures will leave a toxic legacy
This week it has been reported that the pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is ‘exploring options’ for its COVID-19 vaccine business, including a sale. This is not entirely surprising. The company has not traditionally focused on vaccines and its vital contribution to the fight against the coronavirus may never make a profit. However, AstraZeneca’s experience still reflects … Continue reading The EU’s vaccine failures will leave a toxic legacy
Brexit Britain’s resilient services sector is proving the gloomsters wrong
Many people raised concerns about the patchy coverage of services in the Brexit deal negotiated between the UK and EU, known as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The gaps have already caused some significant problems, especially for smaller firms. In principle, the TCA offered extensive market access for UK services businesses, including the mutual … Continue reading Brexit Britain’s resilient services sector is proving the gloomsters wrong
Plain-speaking Economics 