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?
Tag: OBR
Six charts to mark “Brexit at 10”
Here is a selection of charts designed to challenge some of the shakier claims about the economic impacts of Brexit, including on the pound, investment, food prices, trade, and overall GDP. Many newspapers and magazines have published sets of charts to mark the tenth anniversary of the UK’s vote to leave the EU – most … Continue reading Six charts to mark “Brexit at 10”
Weekly wrap – the UK is heading for “stagflation-lite”
Although not as bad as the dark days of the 1970s, the UK economy is heading for a period of falling activity, rising inflation, and higher unemployment. Government tinkering with prices won't help. By overwhelming popular demand (Sid and Doris Bonkers), I’m launching a weekly wrap of the key points made in my social media … Continue reading Weekly wrap – the UK is heading for “stagflation-lite”
Why it would be wrong to equalise capital gains tax and income tax
In principle, taxing income from labour and capital equally might appear to be fairer, simpler, and more efficient. In practice, it would almost certainly be none of these things. Wes Streeting has proposed a “wealth tax that works” as part of his Labour leadership pitch, by equalising capital gains tax (CGT) with income tax. Or in … Continue reading Why it would be wrong to equalise capital gains tax and income tax
Plain-speaking Economics 