The surprising resilience of the UK economy is despite rather than because of anything the government has done. Plus thoughts on housing ‘wealth effects’, the latest Brexit polls, and the UK-EU reset. Theme of the Week Most commentators – myself among them – have been pleasantly surprised by the resilience of the UK economy in … Continue reading Weekly wrap – Why the government can’t claim credit for better growth
Tag: economics
Weekly wrap – Mid-term blues
A well-deserved defeat for Donald Trump and more dither and delay from Andy Burnham. At least the BoE delivered a decisive rate hike – the first of ‘two and done’? – and it was right to do so. Theme of the Week Global attention turned to the aftermath of the US mid-term elections, where Trump’s … Continue reading Weekly wrap – Mid-term blues
MPC had to take out an ‘insurance’ hike
With a bit of luck, the Bank of England will not have to raise interest rates much further. Nonetheless, borrowers are still paying the price for years of government policy failures. The Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates by a quarter point, to 4%, is an insurance hike to get ahead of the … Continue reading MPC had to take out an ‘insurance’ hike
Wary Chancellor presents a Ming Vase Budget
As expected, John Healey delivered a low-key ‘first do no harm’ pre-election Budget, with a few treats for voters and no nasty surprises for investors. But a ‘do some real good’ Budget was needed... The only ‘rabbit’ was a £100 ‘household energy payment’ for 20 million households in council tax bands A–D, costing £2.6 billion. … Continue reading Wary Chancellor presents a Ming Vase Budget
