Wolf savages government’s approach to growth
While praising the government’s decision to eliminate a fixed age of retirement, Martin Wolf is scathing on other aspects of the government’s growth strategy.
economy
Rebalancing the economy: there is still a lot of work to be done
Today’s UK trade figures highlight the scale of the task facing the government if it is to achieve its aim of rebalancing the economy, writes Tony Dolphin.
Osborne’s bank levy: The desperate action of a desperate chancellor
George Osborne thought his failure to secure any agreement on bank bonuses and lending plus his cynical ruse to give banks a massive corporation tax cut had been missed.
Balls and Osborne clash in first Commons duel
Ed Balls and George Osborne went head-to-head across the despatch box at Treasury Questions for the first time today, reports Shamik Das.
Considering income alone is never enough when looking at living standards
As is often the case, one fails to really get to grips with the impact of changes on living standards if one doesn’t fairly compare households of different sizes.
IFS urges Osborne to develop a Plan B
The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank today urged George Osborne to prepare a ‘Plan B’ for fiscal consolidation in case growth prospects deteriorate.
“Perverse” cuts to regional funding will set back growth
We can expect the chorus of business leaders calling for a change of direction to grow ever louder as we head towards next month’s budget, writes Kevin Meagher.
Economic update – February 2011
The year 2011 looks like being very tough as tax increases and spending cuts actually take effect, reports Tony Dolphin with the February economic update.
“Lacklustre” growth predicted as Osborne told to develop Plan B
The NIESR think tank predict “lacklustre” growth in 2011. They believe “there is a case for delaying some of the austerity programme” and urge the Chancellor to develop a ‘Plan B’.
Poll: Majority believe economy will worsen over next 12 months
53 per cent of the public believe the economy will worsen over the course of the next year – with only a quarter confident it will improve, according a new poll.