The Chancellor’s Spring Statement sent a signal of “steady as she goes”. Unfortunately, what was really needed is a change of course. There was plenty of party political knockabout, but no major policy announcements and nothing to lift the spirits of consumers or businesses. This might have been fine if all were well. But there is little … Continue reading Spring Statement was yet another missed opportunity
Category: 'net zero'
Why Labour’s “build, baby, build” mission is struggling to take off
Steve Reed, the newish Secretary of State for Housing, has certainly brought fresh energy to the role. This has even extended to waving MAGA-style caps with Trump-like calls to “build, baby, build!”. But while it is still early days, little has improved on the ground. The construction sector is worth watching closely for at least … Continue reading Why Labour’s “build, baby, build” mission is struggling to take off
Why Rachel Reeves has to increase taxes on motorists
The Daily Telegraph has reported that electric vehicle (EV) drivers will be hit with a new pay-per-mile tax in the Budget. Needless to say, this is not going down well with motorists, especially in rural areas, with some already describing it as a ‘poll tax on wheels’. But the context is important. In my view, pay-per-mile charges … Continue reading Why Rachel Reeves has to increase taxes on motorists
Is defence spending good for growth?
The right amount to spend on defence should, of course, primarily be a decision based on the benefits to our security. But could more defence spending also be good for growth? The short answer is ‘not necessarily’. The overall impact on the economy will depend on how the additional spending is financed, and on whether … Continue reading Is defence spending good for growth?
Plain-speaking Economics 