DEBATE: Are smart speakers really a better measure of inflation for the ONS than envelopes? March 12, 2019 Are smart speakers really a better measure of inflation for the ONS than envelopes? Vicky Pryce, former joint head of the Government Economic Service and author of It’s the Economy, Stupid, says YES. It makes sense for the ONS to rethink its inflation basket. Fewer people write letters now, although parcels have increased with online [...]
The Conservative party needs to rediscover its economic way March 12, 2019 For most people, the Conservative’s 2015 “long-term economic plan” is now a distant memory. But as someone who was deeply immersed in that election campaign, I still sometimes wake up at night reciting its contents. Though much mocked for its repetition, the plan was more than just a catchphrase. From deficit reduction and tax cuts [...]
Deal or no deal, let’s make the UK the most attractive place for business March 12, 2019 What happens if there’s no Brexit deal? Over the past year, we’ve had various answers to this question – most ranging from the alarming to the apocalyptic. But while we’ve heard an awful lot about the problems, we haven’t heard much about solutions. That’s why our think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies, has just [...]
Sign of the times: Smart speakers in and crockery out of UK inflation goods basket March 11, 2019 Bluetooth speakers, flavoured tea and washing gel have been added to the “basket of goods” used to calculate inflation in the UK, while crockery sets and hi-fi systems have been shelved. Read more: Inflation drops to two-year low of 1.8 per cent The Office for National Statistics (ONS) outlined changes this morning to the list [...]
If London is to continue to thrive, MPs must take a no-deal Brexit off the table March 11, 2019 There is no denying that trying to sell London to international investors this week of all weeks presents a challenge. Inevitably, uncertainty caused by Brexit has made some businesses more hesitant to commit further to operations in London than they would have been otherwise. Looking beyond the imminent drama in Westminster, however, I have reason [...]
UK hiring intentions decline for second month in a row as Brexit looms March 11, 2019 UK firms intend to hire fewer people for the second month in a row in a sign of Brexit uncertainty weighing on the jobs market, a new study has said. British companies said they were looking to take on fewer new employees in the six months from February than they were from January, according to the [...]
Whatever happens with Brexit, the battle for Britain’s future requires some ideological firepower March 10, 2019 Margaret Thatcher, together with her great intellectual ally, Keith Joseph, founded the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) in 1974 to promote the principles of a free society and free-market economics. The rather dry and unassuming name of the organisation is at odds with the enduring influence it has had – and continues to have – [...]
US recession risk spikes amid trade war and consumer spending slowdown March 10, 2019 The risk of a recession in the US has shot up thanks in large part to weak consumer demand, a report has warned. The likelihood of a fall in GDP in two successive quarters spiked to 73 per cent from just 24 per cent in December, according to a report from economists at Swiss bank UBS. A [...]
The Democrats have embraced the Trump trend of childish insults and illiterate ideas March 8, 2019 My worse fear has been realised: the 2020 presidential race is upon us. Like many readers, I’m not ready to re-board the political and emotional rollercoaster of 2016. But I cannot deny reality anymore: 2020 is in full-swing. Donald Trump has altered the tone and standards of debate in US politics. Many of his supporters [...]
Chinese exports suffer biggest drop in three years amid US-China trade war March 8, 2019 Chinese exports fell at their fastest rate in three years last month as fears grow about the world’s second largest economy. Read more: China backs Huawei's bid to sue United States The US-China trade war sent exports to a 20.7 per cent year-on-year drop, official data revealed, as imports fell 5.2 per cent. Markets reacted [...]
