Category: Politics

The Government cannot take credit for the cuts in UK interest rates

The Bank of England’s decision to trim its key interest rate by another quarter point this week was widely expected, but there is still plenty to write about. Unfortunately, little of this is good news. For a start, why on earth is the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) still cutting rates when the Bank itself now … Continue reading The Government cannot take credit for the cuts in UK interest rates →

Entry to the Civil Service should never depend on what your dad once did

Imagine the following exchange between a bright young student and a Civil Service recruiter. "Hello, I'm passionate about social care and would love to be an intern at the Department of Health" "Great, but what do your parents do?" "One is a doctor and the other runs a dementia charity" "Sorry, you're not working class … Continue reading Entry to the Civil Service should never depend on what your dad once did →

US-EU trade ‘deal’ avoids an even worse outcome, but this is still little to cheer

Brexiteers can be forgiven for indulging in a little ‘schadenfreude’ at the news that the EU has agreed the principles of a trade deal with the US on worse terms than the UK was able to achieve. Nonetheless, there are very few winners here. For a start, a final agreement is still some way off. … Continue reading US-EU trade ‘deal’ avoids an even worse outcome, but this is still little to cheer →