Building the future – how new homes could unlock economic potential

Labour Party leader, Sir Kier Starmer, recently suggested that a commitment to build more residential homes, including on green belt land, could form part of the Party’s manifesto as we head into the next election. Even the suggestion of building on green belt land is a significant departure from the two major parties’ usual rhetoric. …

Bank of England in the news – its arguments do not stack up

In recent weeks Bank of England officials have made comments which have garnered lots of attention. I want to focus on four of those because they show different aspects of the Bank of England’s views that economists usually debate without much public fanfare. But since they have gone public, it’s worth discussing them in this …

Key UK economic data to consider ahead of Budget 2023

Ahead of the March 15 Budget, some of the most important data released in February are worth reviewing to gain insight into what flexibility and room for policy manoeuvre the Chancellor may or may not have available. These are price inflation, wage inflation, economic growth, public sector borrowing figures and money supply. The essential news …