Kristin Forbes argues against Bank of England interest rate cut September 22, 2016 Bank of England rate-setter Kristin Forbes has said the reassuring performance of the UK economy means she sees no need to cut interest rates later this year. Forbes, a member of the Bank's monetary policy committee (MPC), told an audience at Imperial College in London she disagrees with the majority of her MPC colleagues that believe [...]
Better infrastructure and new houses: Here’s how to invest for a post-Brexit fiscal stimulus October 4, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond used his party conference speech yesterday to tell the public that the government is prepared to take “whatever steps are necessary to protect this economy from turbulence”. Though he gave a nod to his predecessor’s commitment to fiscal consolidation, new spending plans are widely expected when he delivers his first Autumn Statement in [...]
Oil & Gas UK calls on government to “vigorously champion” investment in the North Sea September 27, 2016 Industry body Oil & Gas UK has called on the government to "vigorously champion" investment in the UK Continental Shelf, as exploration activity falls to an all-time low. It comes as chancellor Philip Hammond prepares to set out the government's economic policies in the Autumn Statement on 23 November. The group's 2016 economic report released today [...]
Wine prices could go up by more than 29p a bottle due to Brexit October 18, 2016 Wine from the EU could increase by an average of 29p per bottle as a direct result of Brexit, drinkers have been warned. The latest statistics from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association show that an average bottle coming from within the EU could go up by 29p, and those from outside the EU could go [...]
Those who benefit from new infrastructure should pay for it December 6, 2016 To many people’s relief, there were not many big ideas in Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement last month. In so far as there was anything new, it was the widely-trailed extra investment in innovation, infrastructure and housing. The justification for spending money on these things is that it will raise productivity and growth. There is no question [...]
Massive investment in education is the ultimate fiscal stimulus for Brexit Britain November 22, 2016 We learnt of three priorities for government spending recently: roads, railways and flood defences. As an economist, I take a slightly different view of what’s needed to drive the UK economy at this pivotal time. To quote a former politician, my three priorities for public infrastructure in today’s Autumn Statement would be “education, education, education.” In [...]
Recession risks fade on upbeat post-referendum data August 21, 2016 Economists believe the chances of the UK economy slipping into a post-referendum recession have slipped, following a steady stream of upbeat economic data. Figures out early last week, compiled before a raft of bumper employment and retail sales statistics had been released, showed the consensus estimate for the UK economy was a 1.6 per cent [...]
Economic minister Simon Kirby bins plans for secondary annuity market: Is this a sign that more pension reforms are on the horizon? October 18, 2016 One of George Osborne's cornerstone policies on increasing pension freedoms has been dropped by the government, the economic secretary announced today. In March 2015, the government announced plans to set up a secondary market in order to give pensioners greater access to cashing in annuities. Read more: Over-55s need to go on this kind of shopping spree more [...]
UK inflation flattened out in August September 13, 2016 Inflation remained flat at 0.6 per cent in August, still way below the Bank of England's two per cent target, official figures have shown. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the consumer price index (CPI) missed expectations of a 0.7 per cent rise. “Fuel costs falling more slowly than a year ago as well [...]
Businesses unsure of Theresa May’s threat to cut corporation tax to 10 per cent October 23, 2016 Businesses have given a lukewarm reception to the idea that Theresa May could slash corporation tax if she does not secure a good exit deal with the EU. Both the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) said cutting corporation tax would not be top of their wish-list if the government is [...]