The Financial Times is reporting today (15 February) that Rachel Reeves is ready to break another promise by extending the freeze on personal tax thresholds (one of the UK's least stealthy 'stealth taxes') beyond 2028 in next month's 'not a Budget' Budget. Here are four quick points. First, this report is plausible. The current freeze … Continue reading Is Rachel Reeves about to break another tax pledge?
Tag: Rachel Reeves
Fourth quarter GDP ‘boost’ is nothing to cheer
The first official figures for UK GDP in the final quarter of last year may not have been quite as bad as expected, but it says a lot that some are keen to trumpet economic growth of just 0.1% as ‘good news' and a much-needed 'boost' for Rachel Reeves. Quarterly growth of at least 0.4% … Continue reading Fourth quarter GDP ‘boost’ is nothing to cheer
Can Rachel Reeves get growth back on track?
The Chancellor’s big growth speech on Wednesday morning was so widely trailed that it contained few surprises. But it was still the clearest and most coherent statement of her economic philosophy and plans, so far. Before diving into the detail, it is only fair to welcome the change of tone. It has been refreshing to … Continue reading Can Rachel Reeves get growth back on track?
Are the IMF’s latest forecasts really “good news for Rachel Reeves”?
Frankly, I would prefer to ignore the economic forecasts from the IMF, or other multinational organisations like the OECD, because they add little value. However, the latest numbers for the UK have been trumpeted as a big win for the government, and for the embattled Chancellor in particular, as part of what appears to be … Continue reading Are the IMF’s latest forecasts really “good news for Rachel Reeves”?
Plain-speaking Economics 