The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage

Green Politics

Balls: How much longer must we wait, and how much more damage must be done, before George Osborne finally does the most important u-turn of all?

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued yet another stark warning to the chancellor, saying that current economic policy in the UK will not be able to “absorb significant slack in the economy”.

osborne-barsThe report, released today, said:

Looking ahead, the economy is expected to grow modestly, but with current policy settings the pace will be insufficient to absorb significant slack in the economy, raising the risk of a permanent loss of productive capacity.

Demand support is needed. More expansionary demand policies would close the output gap faster and reduce the risk of hysteresis… The planned pace of structural fiscal tightening will need to slow if the recovery fails to take off even after additional monetary stimulus and strong credit easing measures.

This criticism will no doubt damage confidence in George Osborne, especially as it follows the IMF downgrading its UK growth forecast three days ago.

Left Foot Forward reported:

The IMF downgraded its UK growth forecast today for the third time in under a year. It forecasts growth of just 0.2 per cent this year, compared to 0.8 per cent in April 2012, 1.6 per cent in September 2011 and 2.3 per cent in April 2011, as Chart 1 shows.

The article went on to give multiple examples of previous criticisms the IMF have made regarding UK economic policy:

“If activity were to undershoot current expectations and risk a period of stagnation or contraction, countries that face historically low yields (for example, Germany and the United Kingdom) should also consider delaying some of their planned consolidation.”

– IMF Regional Economic Outlook, October 2011, (page 14, pdf)

“Fiscal easing and further use of the government’s balance sheet should be considered if downside risks materialize and the recovery fails to take off. In particular, if growth does not build momentum and is significantly below forecasts even after substantial additional monetary stimulus and further credit easing measures, planned fiscal adjustment would need to be reconsidered…

 

See also:

• IMF downgrades growth forecast AGAIN as Balls warns of “heavy long term price” of failure 16 Jul 2012

• Investment in cities is key to economic recovery 15 Jul 2012

• OBR figures show a long term fiscal challenge that needs long term solutions 13 Jul 2012

• Labour seize on CBI’s “damning indictment” of Osborne’s “really disappointing” growth fail 12 Jul 2012

 

“Fiscal easing measures in such a scenario should focus on temporary tax cuts and greater infrastructure spending.”

– IMF Article IV consultation, May 22nd 2012

“Policies to bolster demand should help close the output gap faster. It needs to be recognized that policy options in this regard come with risks, including uncertainty about their effectiveness. However, these risks need to be weighed against the risk of weak demand that leads to persistently slow growth and high unemployment that become entrenched in decisions made by consumers and investors.”

– IMF Article IV consultation, May 22nd 2012

“Growth is necessary for fiscal credibility – after all, who will believe that commitments to cut spending can survive a lengthy stagnation with prolonged high unemployment and social dissatisfaction?”

– Lagarde, speech, Jackson Hole, August 27th 2011

In response to the IMF’s report, shadow chancellor Ed Balls said:

“This is a very serious warning to the Chancellor that urgent action to boost jobs and growth is needed.

How much longer must we  wait, and how much more damage must be done, before George Osborne finally does the most important u-turn of all?

“The IMF is clear that the government’s economic plan – Plan A – has failed. They say that weak growth means the government will miss its debt target and that the Chancellor’s existing policies risk causing permanent damage to the British economy.”

 

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16 Responses to “The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage”

  1. Snapdragon

    The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage http://t.co/iVIPOHGV Says something when IMF sounds "left"

  2. Miriam Said

    RT @leftfootfwd: The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage, writes @LFFKatie: http://t.co/gFfgS6nK #TrakIt

  3. Tim

    RT @leftfootfwd: The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage, writes @LFFKatie: http://t.co/gFfgS6nK #TrakIt

  4. Shifting Grounds

    .@LFFKatie on the IMF report and the damage being done to UK economy http://t.co/anQ01twV

  5. LadyRoisin

    RT @leftfootfwd: The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage http://t.co/GoCCJbUv WASBO's gotta make a U-turn

Comments are closed.