The jump in UK inflation from 3.0% to 3.3% in March is obviously bad news but not quite as bad as some had feared (or at least no worse). In particular, the Bank of England had expected this number to be “close to 3½%” when interest rates were left on hold last month. Moreover, this jump can … Continue reading Subdued money growth should limit inflation risks
Tag: euro area
Labour’s policies risk snuffing out the recovery
Let us start with the good news. The UK economy is set to beat expectations this year and outperform the euro area, boosting the appeal of UK assets to overseas investors. UK GDP grew by a solid 0.7 percent in the first quarter, and this rate is likely to be matched in the second. Even … Continue reading Labour’s policies risk snuffing out the recovery
What’s gone wrong in Germany?
The German economy is stagnating. Last year was bad enough. The first official estimates suggest that output (measured by GDP) shrank by 0.3 per cent over 2023 as a whole – a full year recession – with output also down by 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter alone. Unfortunately, the omens for 2024 are … Continue reading What’s gone wrong in Germany?
Plain-speaking Economics 