You know what won’t improve state efficiency? More watchdogs Opinion Donald Trump and Keir Starmer agree on one thing at least: their governments need reforming and to be much more efficient. Sadly for those on this side of the Atlantic, our value-for-money policies inspire little confidence. The UK already needed radical attention but Labour’s first Budget has raised the stakes even higher. As the Office [...]
In defence of Treasury brain Opinion Treasury officials are often criticised for making budgets add up in the short term at the expense of long-term goals. That’s true, but imagine the money that would be wasted if they didn’t! Writes Joe Hill Budgets are divisive, everyone has their own gripe. Too much spending, or too little. Not enough growth, or too [...]
Fuel allowance furore has made life terribly tricky for the Treasury Opinion Decision making in the Treasury is an unenviable task, and the winter fuel payments row just made it harder, writes James Nation.
Letter to the editor: Why the Covid Inquiry should interest City A.M. September 24, 2024 [RE: The UK economy is suffering from long Covid and a short memory, 23 Sept] It was disappointing to read the suggestion from your editor-in-chief Christian May yesterday that the “main purpose” of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is “a form of stage-managed catharsis”. I cannot agree.It is estimated that the total cost of UK government [...]
National debt: Government must reform or things will ‘blow up’ September 12, 2024 Sooner or later the British government is going to face a reckoning on the national debt.
Goldman Sachs expects tax hikes of ‘at least’ £20bn in Reeves budget September 10, 2024 Many potential tax reforms have faced criticism for their potential unintended consequences.
Government faces ‘grim reality’ on national debt, peers warn September 10, 2024 "If we wish to improve the level of and quality of services, and continue the current provision of benefits, taxes will need to rise. The alternative is that the state does less," the report said.
True state of the public finances continues to divide opinion September 3, 2024 The true state of Labour’s fiscal inheritance continues to divide opinion. Over the first few weeks in office, the new government has been painting a very gloomy picture of the state of the public finances. The doom-mongering reached new heights last week after Sir Keir Starmer argued the state of the public finances were “worse [...]
The Notebook: How I (almost) managed to get the 1p coin scrapped September 2, 2024 Former Treasury comms chief James Chapman reminisces on the time he (almost) managed to scrap the penny - and why we should persist now.
Treasury and FCA worried by payments regulator’s fraud refund scheme August 22, 2024 The government and City watchdog have raised concerns over a fraud refund scheme from the UK payments regulator that firms have warned could do long-lasting damage to the industry, City A.M. understands.