Mark Twain is alleged to have read a newspaper account of his own passing and declared ‘the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated’. That story may well be apocryphal. But it has stood the test of time rather better than Gordon Brown’s now infamous claim as Chancellor that there would never be a … Continue reading The cycle will always be with us
Category: Fiscal Policy
Sunak must keep trying to cut tax before the next election
The Treasury’s “fiscal rules” are rather like New Year’s resolutions: many of us make them, but few keep them. Nonetheless, after the spending binge during the pandemic, the Government needs some sort of framework to bring borrowing back under control. We may not have to wait much longer. The Chancellor is expected to unveil new … Continue reading Sunak must keep trying to cut tax before the next election
Stronger economy should save us from further tax rises
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
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’
Plain-speaking Economics 