Many commentators like to pontificate about the profits made by big energy companies. But this grandstanding reveals a feeble grasp of basic economics and numbers, and is ultimately counterproductive. In case you missed it, some big companies selling products which are now in short supply have seen their profits rise because of higher prices. This … Continue reading Politicians should work with BP and Shell, not demonise them
Tag: windfall tax
What will Labour do on tax?
Just in case Labour forms the next government (it’s wise to be prepared for all eventualities!), here’s a rundown of their stated plans on tax, and what they might actually do in power. It’s only fair to start with what’s in the manifesto. The short answer is ‘not a lot’. The permanent tax measures include: … Continue reading What will Labour do on tax?
Jeremy Hunt’s tightrope act could see the economy take a tumble
It’s usual for some of the contents of a Budget to leak out before the official announcement. This time, though, we already have a very clear idea of what’s coming on Thursday. The Prime Minister and Chancellor, and their backroom teams, have worked hard to prepare us for ‘difficult decisions’. The good news is that … Continue reading Jeremy Hunt’s tightrope act could see the economy take a tumble
Nationalisation of energy suppliers would solve nothing – and could make the crisis even worse
Kudos to Gordon Brown. The former Labour Prime Minister and Chancellor is at least coming up with bold ideas to tackle soaring energy bills. Unfortunately, his ideas are not new, and they are not good ones either. Brown’s starting point is that the energy price cap should be ‘suspended’ before the results of the latest … Continue reading Nationalisation of energy suppliers would solve nothing – and could make the crisis even worse
Plain-speaking Economics 