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.
George Osborne
“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’.
Osborne’s intellectual leap of faith
Today, The Times’ Anatole Kaletsky has a must read piece dismantling the similar theory of ‘Ricardian Equivalence’ … using Ricardo’s own words.
Osborne wants it both ways on cuts and GDP
George Osborne tonight attempts to second guess how his opponents will attack him. But his musings reveal far more about the inconsistencies in his own approach than even the sharpist reposte from the new shadow chancellor c0uld manage.
Economists warn of risk of double dip following poor growth figures
Economists have warned of the increased likelihood of a double dip recession following the news that the British economy retracted by 0.5 per cent in Q4 2010.
Will Osborne be forced to rewrite his script?
The new economics foundation’s senior economist James Meadway delves into today’s GDP figures, and asks if the coalition will be forced to rewrite its script.
Osborne’s optimism looking less and less plausible
Today’s dire GDP numbers show that the government’s reckless gamble with the economy risks plummeting the UK back in to recession, writes Rachel Reeves.
Are we really all in it together?
Howard Reed reports on how the coalition’s cuts show that the poorest will be hit hardest – particularly single parents families and single pensioners.
Expecting Tories to regulate bonuses is like Turkeys voting for Christmas
Rachel Reeves, Labour MP for Leeds West, reports on the Tory-led government’s failure to take action on bankers’ bonuses, despite all the pre-election rhetoric.
Osborne’s financial pain begins as VAT hike hits
Despite the patently dishonest claims by the Tories that the VAT rise is progressive, it will, as the IFS says, hit the poorest hardest – particularly families.