Category: Everyday Economics

Weekly wrap – Lies, damn lies, and “Brexit exclusives”

Including thoughts on why young people aren’t working, the folly of rent controls, the outlook for energy bills, the possibility of a 2027 general election, and more “fake news” to call out in The Independent. Theme of the Week I have spent a lot of time over the last few years trying to debunk “fake … Continue reading Weekly wrap – Lies, damn lies, and “Brexit exclusives”

Weekly wrap: a perfect 10 for stagecraft, a shaky 3 for substance

My regular review of news over the past seven days, including thoughts on Burnham’s first policy announcements, overseas aid, “anti-social businesses”, and the latest economic data (good, in parts). A week may be a long time in politics, but the new team at No.10 has navigated it well. A polished sequence of flashy policy announcements … Continue reading Weekly wrap: a perfect 10 for stagecraft, a shaky 3 for substance

Weekly wrap: more heat than light from the politicians

Politics is heating up for the summer, but there were at least a few more reasons to hope that underlying inflation pressures may be starting to cool. This is the second weekly wrap of the key points from my social media posts on the UK economy, on the markets, and occasionally on the politics too. … Continue reading Weekly wrap: more heat than light from the politicians

Why Reform’s tax-free overtime plan is a bad idea

Reform’s proposed tax break on overtime is likely to feature prominently in the Makerfield pitch. But it is also yet another example of a policy that is both good politics and terrible economics. The Reform party is proposing that people who earn less than £75,000 and work overtime above a 40-hour week will pay no income tax … Continue reading Why Reform’s tax-free overtime plan is a bad idea