Tag: finance

Burnham’s first big idea: lower your bills by raising your taxes?

It is obviously a bit harsh to judge anyone’s premiership by just one announcement on the first day, but a token cut in VAT on domestic electricity bills does not bode well. In case you missed it, the new government has announced that the rate of VAT charged on domestic electricity bills will be cut … Continue reading Burnham’s first big idea: lower your bills by raising your taxes?

Should there be an extra Bank Holiday if England win the World Cup?

In my unpopular view, the social benefits of an extra Bank Holiday are overstated, while the economic costs would be too high. But political realities suggest we’ll get one anyway, if the football gods allow! An extra Bank Holiday would obviously be popular, and few politicians would be able to resist. Indeed, Keir Starmer has … Continue reading Should there be an extra Bank Holiday if England win the World Cup?

Another lurch to the left under Burnham could tip the economy over

Better news on inflation might lower bond yields regardless of the changes in Downing Street. But it seems more likely that honeymoon disappointment and Budget speculation will sap confidence further. This Friday, Andy Burnham is set to be confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party and hence as the next Prime Minister of … Continue reading Another lurch to the left under Burnham could tip the economy over

Why Gary Stevenson is wrong on (almost) everything

Mercifully, we may now be at "peak Gary", but there seems to be an endless appetite for the sort of slop he has been feeding the unfortunate for many years... If you have not yet heard of Gary Stevenson, consider yourself lucky. The self-styled “world’s top trader” turned leading economist has been a fixture on … Continue reading Why Gary Stevenson is wrong on (almost) everything