Category: coronavirus

Schools presentation on the politics of Covid

Here are the slides from a v-talk I gave today (1 March 2021) to A-level students of politics… politics-of-covid-1-mar-2021Download This follows up an earlier presentation on the economics... economics-of-covid-25-feb-2021Download

Schools presentation on the economics of Covid

Here are the slides from a v-talk I gave today (25 February 2021) to A-level students... economics-of-covid-25-feb-2021Download

Big freeze in GDP should keep tax hikes on ice too

The latest UK GDP numbers were better than expected, but it would still be dangerous to raise taxes in the March Budget. This would be far too soon after a year when the economy contracted by nearly 10% and with a renewed decline almost certain this quarter. To recap, UK GDP rose by 1.2% m/m in December … Continue reading Big freeze in GDP should keep tax hikes on ice too →

The pros and (mostly) cons of an online sales tax

The Sunday Times has reported that UK officials are mulling two new taxes on digital businesses – an online sales tax and an ‘excess profits tax’ – in order to help fill the hole in the public finances and support the High Street. In my view, both are bad ideas. In general, economists quite like … Continue reading The pros and (mostly) cons of an online sales tax →