Ministers have no business giving British investors bad investment advice; much less forcing them to follow that advice.
The NHS which has seen its productivity collapse, and is facing enormous cost pressures as the population ages, must surely be first in line for the application of the tools as they emerge.
We are seeing a very significant drive towards film, TV and wider productions being a solid part of our strategy for regeneration.
Many Irish policymakers make the reasonable point, if it’s a simple matter of tax rates, then why haven’t more countries simply adopted this approach? It has been in place for decades, there’s been plenty of time.
Last week’s Autumn Statement signalled a significant shift in power in the UK. For the West Midlands, it delivered not only announcements that will help supercharge our economy, but a fundamental change in how this region will be run.
The key problem is stagnation. Margaret Thatcher’s reforms promoted mobility and opportunity. Now we are an economy which doesn’t change enough.
The industry has committed to direct £100 billion into infrastructure such as energy generation, power networks, and housing. Politicians from all sides should want to see these measures become law.
The Chancellor has opened a consultation on giving employees the “legal right to require a new employer to pay pension contributions into their existing pension if they choose”.
This move will not only make people richer but will also stimulate economic growth, as many such ISAs are invested into UK stocks and shares.
By only allowing firms to claim in a three-year window, they are much more likely to simply move up purchases already planned than actually overhaul their spending plans.
My hunch is the next generation of aspiring leaders will have a firmer grip on the meaning of conservatism than the current crop. Or, at least, I hope so — otherwise there might not be a party to lead.
For all the Shadow Chancellor’s efforts to pose as the voice of fiscal discipline, pressure for higher spending from her colleagues and party continue to add up.
The UK has led the world in providing military aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. How can we now go further and help Ukraine begin to rebuild its towns, cities and infrastructure? And what more can the government do to encourage the private sector to boost trade and investment in Ukraine’s economy?
What’s missing are the long-term reforms that would overcome resistance by the pension sector. The question is whether the Government will use the limited time remaining in the Parliament to fix these problems.
Labour don’t have a plan for our iconic dockyard – or our country. Both locally and nationally, their only strategy is to dine out on public opinion, rather than to offer a positive vision. People in Plymouth are waking up to this.