Ministers are using low gilt yields as a sign of coalition "credibility", yet low yields are a sign of undermined growth, explains Cormac Hollingsworth.
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Ministers are using low gilt yields as a sign of coalition “credibility”, yet low yields are a sign of undermined growth.
Following worse than expected recession numbers last week, Treasury minister Chloe Smith rejected criticism the government’s policies were failing, citing the “credibility” that the coalition had secured.
Their evidence for this credibility is the low gilt yields. And on cue, the gilt yields went to a new all-time low last Friday. But the problem is that the more the coalition undermines growth, the lower gilts go. If growth was expected to rise, gilt yields would also rise. Unfortunately the same time, lower growth means higher borrowing.
• No, Gideon, low gilt yields aren’t good news, and here’s why 16 Nov 2011
So it’s quite possible that lower gilt yields are more a sign of panic about the economy than sign of credibility about the deficit. And it turns out that every time the City raises its expectations about the total borrowing of the coalition over the course of this parliament, gilt yield falls.
Hard to believe? Take a look at our graph below:
It’s time for the media to stop swallowing the credibility line and start holding this government to account.
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32 Responses to “Lower gilt yields are a sign of panic not coalition credibility”
Sam French
Lower gilt yields are a sign of panic not coalition credibility, writes @CormacHolly: http://t.co/PGMgJROi
Shamik Das
Lower gilt yields are a sign of panic not coalition credibility, writes @CormacHolly: http://t.co/PGMgJROi
Pulp Ark
Lower gilt yields are a sign of panic not coalition… http://t.co/RESgvcK2 #SustainableEconomy #chloesmith #coalition #muslim #tcot #sioa
Alex Canfor-Dumas
Simple, punchy and v. effective from @CormacHolly: rock-bottom gilt yields are not good news http://t.co/a5GqD77L
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Left Foot Forward – Lower gilt yields are a sign of panic not coalition credibility http://t.co/BajI0Mq4