The economic data to be reported over the next few weeks will be pretty grim, adding to the social costs of coronavirus. But if you look beyond the headlines, there are at least half a dozen good reasons to be positive about the prospects for the recovery that will follow. First, the recovery has already … Continue reading Six reasons to be optimistic about the economic recovery
Tag: UK economy
Could the lockdown cost more lives than it saves?
The UK government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Friday drew more attention to a question that has already been troubling many people: could the wider economic and health impacts of the fight against Covid-19 actually do more harm than the virus itself? My view, for what it’s worth, is that it is right to err on … Continue reading Could the lockdown cost more lives than it saves?
UK economy makes a handbrake turn
How hard will coronavirus hit UK GDP? This may seem like the wrong question to ask in the midst of a health emergency. The new coronavirus outbreak is a social crisis above all else. Even in narrow economic terms, some sort of hit to GDP is inevitable and even desirable: we actually want many people … Continue reading UK economy makes a handbrake turn
Is the ‘Brexit bounce’ the real deal?
Economists are divided on whether there will be a significant boost to the UK economy from a reduction in Brexit uncertainty. I’m optimistic and expect growth to accelerate over the course of 2020 and beyond. Others are not, arguing that the best we can expect is more certainty of a bad outcome. Here’s a summary … Continue reading Is the ‘Brexit bounce’ the real deal?
Plain-speaking Economics 