August 2011
Government needs to take on the energy companies to bring down prices
Fuel poverty is now a middle class issue. Until government takes on the big six energy companies or deals with building regulations, it will not be dealt with.
Choosing short sentences over community service for looters will increase reoffending
Short sentences are not effective and magistrates should concentrate on community service for many of the rioters
How the Government could keep train fares down
The Government should also introduce a fuel tax on domestic flights, raising £460 million a year – enough to make up for revenue lost by cutting rather than increasing train fares.
Inflation makes prospects for improved growth in rest of 2011 dim
4.4% inflation makes it unlikely that economic growth will pick up in the second half of the year. Retail sales volumes are likely to remain stagnant.
New IMF boss joins calls for Plan B
The new IMF boss, Christine Lagarde, has joined calls for a Plan B. In an FT op ed she says "slamming on the brakes too quickly will hurt the recovery and worsen job prospects".
How to build a cross-party consensus on responding to the riots
The most promising area for cross-party consensus, is what to do about the small minority of chaotic families in which children do grow up with little sense of right and wrong,