George Osborne’s fairness claim torn apart by graph
George Osborne’s fairness claim torn apart by graph
George Osborne
The Budget barely scratches the surface of what’s required
George Osborne today made improving infrastructure one of the key planks of his strategy to compete in the “global race”. Any move in this direction is to be supported but the small print of the Budget, as so often, shows that his headline announcement today will barely scratch the surface of what the economy needs to get growing again.
The Budget 2013: More of the same failed strategy
What this Budget has done is entrench this chancellor’s misguided policy and has squandered the opportunity of the last three years to significantly invest in UK infrastructure to make the country fit to compete in the 21st century.
Budget 2013: The chancellor must build, build and build
Housing development is a cost-effective way out of recession that doesn’t suck in imports but tackles a number of problems.
Budget 2013: What to look out for
Left Foot Forward has looked at a few things we already know will be in today’s Budget as well as at those things which stand half a chance of making it.
Osborne may need to rethink anti-tax avoidance measures
Previously describing tax avoidance as “morally repugnant”, Osborne has commendably acknowledged the extent of the problem as a drain on public finances. Unfortunately the key weapon in Osborne’s arsenal to tackle the problem – the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) – is far too narrow to prevent the major headline-grabbing schemes which have emerged in recent months.
Osborne’s bet on Mundell-Fleming
What’s wrong with the Mundell-Fleming model? This question probably doesn’t much pre-occupy the political class, but it should because it provides pretty much the only defence remaining for the coalition’s macroeconomic policies.
The FT tears apart austerity economics (again)
Martin Wolf has a blistering piece in today’s Financial Times (£) challenging David Cameron’s stubborn adherence to austerity economics.
The treasury friendly Niesr graph
Here we have the fully adjusted, treasury-friendly Niesr economic graph which takes account of Britain’s economic realities.
Responsible Capitalism: a European wave is building that Labour should ride
A year ago, Ed Miliband set out his vision of Responsible Capitalism, saying Labour was “determined to stand up against the vested interests that are imposing a surcharge culture on people”. In the past few weeks in Germany, the German trade union movement (DGB) has developed the idea of a new Marshall Plan for Europe. It is this kind of joined up thinking that we urgently need to build a credible alternative to austerity.