What’s happening in the labour market is arguably the most important economic news every month. Despite that, the quality of the commentary is often poor, with many sources apparently too keen to focus on the negatives. The reactions to the latest release from the ONS provide more examples. The early headlines were dominated by the … Continue reading The good news on unemployment
Author: julianhjessop
More state intervention is not the answer to reviving our economy
Many people argue that the Covid crisis has demonstrated the need for government to take a bigger role in the economy, in good times as well as bad. When asked to suggest five policies to help the recovery their ‘wish lists’ are therefore full of ways in which the state could do even more. In … Continue reading More state intervention is not the answer to reviving our economy
The UK government should still be cutting corporation tax, not raising it
Corporation tax hikes are apparently back on the agenda for the March Budget, with the Financial Times suggesting that the Chancellor believes it would be fair to ask businesses for more after taxpayer support during pandemic. This argument might score a few points with focus groups and play well on social media, but it is … Continue reading The UK government should still be cutting corporation tax, not raising it
Why has the UK economy been among the worst hit by Covid?
According to the latest official data, the UK has seen a larger fall in GDP during the pandemic than almost any country in Europe. The worst hit economies are actually Greece and Spain. But the UK appears to have suffered much more than France, Germany, Italy, or Sweden. This needs some explaining. Let’s deal first … Continue reading Why has the UK economy been among the worst hit by Covid?
Plain-speaking Economics 