A key economic problem during the 1980s was union power. Now it is weak incentives to move and retrain.
The Chancellor should not feel constrained by the OBR’s forecasts into limiting the actions he can take.
The third in a series of articles on how the Chancellor should approach the upcoming Spring Statement.
Unemployment is back below its pre-pandemic level. But the rising cost of living limits the upsides.
Of the main tax cut candidates urged on the Chancellor, the best available is a VAT fuel reduction.
Higher interest rates may slow the world economy later this year and early next. Recession is even possible for the UK.
Our troubles will be compounded by Ministers’ import promotion policies, most pronounced in the Business, Energy and Agriculture departments.
The fundamental problem is that costs are going up faster than we are getting more productive.
In a nutshell, the issue is that tightening monetary and fiscal policy at the same time could force the economy to a stuttering halt.
Having entered Parliament from business, I know first-hand that prosperity is not created by government.
Control the controllables. So provide assistance, ease the pain, reverse the tax hikes, explain why – and focus on a pro-growth strategy.
The fourth part of a ConHome series this week on Levelling Up as the Government’s White Paper nears publication.
We should never forget the millions of people who are “just about managing” – they will find it harder to budget over the next few months.
Our polling suggests that the dissenters’ take on events is seen as deeply eccentric by Tory voters.
The Russian invasion in Ukraine is not a reason to give up on it. Rather, it is a reason to redouble efforts to get there as quickly as possible.