The Chancellor’s speech had some positives as well as negatives, and perhaps revealed something about interdepartmental rivalries too. But the chasm between rhetoric and reality seems as wide as ever. Six points struck me about John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor on Monday. The first was that he was giving it all. This is not … Continue reading Six takeaways from John Healey’s “Growth Speech”
Tag: OBR
Weekly wrap – No, Prime Minister…
Including thoughts on why Andy Burnham is wrong about “austerity” and Brexit, on bonds and the Budget, and on why the construction sector is such a good bellwether of the success of Labour’s policies... Theme of the Week On Tuesday Andy Burnham addressed MPs on the direction in which he hopes to lead the country. This … Continue reading Weekly wrap – No, Prime Minister…
Weekly wrap – Lies, damn lies, and “Brexit exclusives”
Including thoughts on why young people aren’t working, the folly of rent controls, the outlook for energy bills, the possibility of a 2027 general election, and more “fake news” to call out in The Independent. Theme of the Week I have spent a lot of time over the last few years trying to debunk “fake … Continue reading Weekly wrap – Lies, damn lies, and “Brexit exclusives”
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?
Plain-speaking Economics 