The further contraction in the UK economy in October confirms that Budget speculation has killed growth, with GDP falling by 0.1% on both the single month and three month on three month comparisons. What’s more, the weakness was broad based (so not just the fallout from cyber attack at JLR). But this leaves some important questions to … Continue reading Budget speculation kills growth
Schools presentation on the Budget
In case of wider interest, here are the slides from a presentation I gave today to A-level students of economics, business and finance at an (excellent) academy school in Strood. The talk was facilitated by Futures For All (aka Speakers for Schools). Schools presentation on the Budget (Dec 2025)Download
Four reasons to resist the siren calls for a new ‘customs union’
The Liberal Democrats have long argued in favour of some new form of ‘customs union’ between the UK and the EU. But it now appears that key figures in the Labour administration are swinging behind the idea as well, including the Prime Minister’s chief economic adviser Minouche Shafik and Treasury minister Torsten Bell. These two … Continue reading Four reasons to resist the siren calls for a new ‘customs union’
The Chancellor’s gaslighting has reached new lows
When in opposition, Rachel Reeves claimed that “the Conservatives are gaslighting the British public". When she became Chancellor, she insisted that she would not “gaslight” working people herself. This can surely now be added to the long list of broken promises. The prolonged uncertainty ahead of the Budget had already harmed the economy. But confirmation … Continue reading The Chancellor’s gaslighting has reached new lows
Plain-speaking Economics 