It is tempting to dismiss Rachel Reeves’ statement to Parliament on the health of the public finances as merely a piece of political theatre. The main purpose was indeed to blame the Conservatives for the consequences of decisions taken by the new Labour government, and to prepare the ground for tax rises in the Autumn. But there … Continue reading “Abacus Economics 2.0”
Category: Fiscal Policy
What will Labour do on tax?
Just in case Labour forms the next government (it’s wise to be prepared for all eventualities!), here’s a rundown of their stated plans on tax, and what they might actually do in power. It’s only fair to start with what’s in the manifesto. The short answer is ‘not a lot’. The permanent tax measures include: … Continue reading What will Labour do on tax?
Does any UK party have a credible plan on tax and spending?
The four main parties (on the basis of their likely share of the UK vote) have all now published their manifestos for the general election on 4th July. The boldness of the commitments appears to be inversely related to the number of seats that each party is predicted to win. But every party has a … Continue reading Does any UK party have a credible plan on tax and spending?
Should civil servants be involved in costing opposition policies?
This issue has flared up again following the row about the Conservatives’ document that claimed Labour will “increase your taxes by £2,094” (a figure still being cited on X today). There’s a lot to unpick here, so be prepared for a relatively nuanced answer! In case you’ve been lucky enough to miss all this, the … Continue reading Should civil servants be involved in costing opposition policies?
Plain-speaking Economics 