New data published today by the OECD show that Britain's gross financial liabilities are set to remain close to those of the OECD average over the next decade.
New data published today by the OECD show that Britain’s gross financial liabilities are likely to remain close to those of the OECD average over the next decade. The OECD credit the Government’s fiscal stimulus as “cushioning” the downturn while calling for an “announcement of concrete and comprehensive [fiscal] consolidation plans.”
As the ONS publish data showing that Net Debt as a percentage of GDP (including financial sector interventions) has risen this month to 58.9 per cent (p.11), the OECD predict that Britain’s gross financial liabilities (a similar measure) will rise no higher than the OECD average (p.70). Gross financial liabilites do not net the UK’s financial assets such as holdings in UK banks.
As the chart below shows, Britain’s lower level of liabilities before the financial crash have given the country greater capacity to absorb record deficits.
The OECD’s country summary for the United Kingdom says:
“The economy is set for recovery, supported by improving financial conditions, an expansionary monetary policy and stronger international growth. However, the pick-up will be slow with GDP projected to grow by slightly more than 1% in 2010 reflecting strong headwinds from balance sheet adjustments, a still weakening labour market and fiscal tightening. In 2011 the recovery will gain momentum, but resource utilisation will remain low and the unemployment rate is projected to reach 9.5%. Inflation is likely to remain below the 2% target for an extended period.
“Financial sector support, monetary easing and fiscal stimulus have cushioned the downturn. While monetary policy should remain expansionary over the projection period, normalisation of interest rates will probably need to start in 2011. The weak fiscal position makes further consolidation necessary; an announcement of concrete and comprehensive consolidation plans upfront would enhance macroeconomic stability. Strengthening financial regulation and supervision would also support stability and hinder a build-up of new imbalances at historically low interest rates.”
11 Responses to “Britain’s net debt will stay in line with OECD”
Shamik Das
RT @leftfootfwd: Britain’s net debt will stay in line with OECD:- http://is.gd/4YHAR
Dave Cole
RT @shamikdas: RT @leftfootfwd: Britain’s net debt will stay in line with OECD:- http://is.gd/4YHAR
Will Straw
Buried in new OECD report RT @leftfootfwd Britain’s net debt will stay in line with rest of OECD for next decade http://is.gd/4YHAR
Tom Callow
RT @leftfootfwd Britain’s net debt will stay in line with rest of OECD for next decade http://is.gd/4YHAR
Balham Bugle
This is hardly reassuring. I wonder what that chart would look like without Japan skewing the scale. Aren’t you effectively saying: “Hey, we’re doing worse than every other major economy in the OECD, except that basket case Japan”. Even after what the OECD describes as “daunting” six year period of fiscal consolidation, the UK goes from having debt level 23% lower than France (as a percent of GDP) to 14% above. The OECD even predict that we overtake Italy as the major debtor of Europe.