Economist, Visiting Professor, Lecturer, Writer, Public Speaker.
Rachel Reeves’s budget statement in response to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) update aligned with what was widely flagged ahead of the event. However, it highlighted just how little room there is for manoeuvre in the government’s fiscal projections and how vulnerable the plans are to unfolding events. Admittedly, huge geopolitical and geoeconomic changes …
Continue reading “UK Spring statement 2025: little room for manoeuvre”
The new Prime Minister has taken office during a historic economic, political, and social crisis for the UK and world economies. Just days ago, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, shut down the Nord Stream One pipeline carrying gas to Germany – and said that the pipeline would not be reopened until sanctions against Russia are removed. …
Continue reading “Cost of living crisis awaits the new Prime Minster”
Yet again, the Chancellor’s Spring Statement turned into a Spring Budget. Expectations were that the Government would intervene to alleviate the impact of higher fuel and food prices on household income. Whilst fuel duty was cut by 5p a litre for 12 months and the National Insurance threshold raised, for many, those expectations weren’t met, …
Continue reading “Economic shocks and the tightrope to growth”