Shrink the government to grow the British economy November 2, 2016 November is the month when many Christians remember the dead. This year, in the same month, the Institute of Economic Affairs is focusing on that other constant of life – taxes. Sadly in the UK, taxes seem not just inevitable, but ever-growing. In 2015, the government spent 46 per cent of national income. Government estimates [...]
CBI seeks R&D investment boost in Autumn Statement to offset weaker GDP growth forecast November 2, 2016 The CBI is urging the chancellor to provide investment in infrastructure and research and development in the upcoming Autumn Statement, to offset its lower predictions of GDP growth. The business group has revised its GDP growth forecasts down from two per cent to 1.3 per cent for next year and it expects business uncertainty to [...]
The people of Burnley and Bradford have a point about the impact of immigration November 1, 2016 The scenes as the migrant camp was cleared in Calais once again provoked bitter divisions in British society. Metropolitan luvvies and liberals tweeted their virtue and called for no restrictions on immigration. In more traditional areas, there is active resentment at the possibility of even further inflows of foreigners. When New Labour decided in the [...]
Theresa May’s industrial strategy isn’t about picking winners – but taking control of Britain’s economic destiny post-Brexit November 1, 2016 Purists likely shuddered at Theresa May’s commitment to a “proper, modern industrial strategy” as she reshaped the Business Department in July. Three decades of free market orthodoxy have convinced many business folk that a fully-fledged plan for industry represents a throwback to the 1970s, a decade when sickly British Leyland came to symbolise all that [...]
Kim Jong-un slashes beer prices to get rid of stock November 1, 2016 North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has cut the price of beer to get rid of excess ale that was bought for a festival in the summer. Demand has soared since Ryongsong Beer’s price was cut in half from 3,000 North Korean won to 1,500, and Taedong River Beer was reduced from KPW 6,000 to 5,000. It is thought that [...]
Stephen Hawking thinks Brexit is too complex even for him November 1, 2016 Stephen Hawking, perhaps the world's greatest living scientist, has said he wouldn't fancy trying to tackle the UK's exit from the European Union. Speaking last night at the Pride of Britain Awards the 74-year-old professor told Prime Minister Theresa May that Brexit may be too "complex" a situation even for him. The Brief History of Time [...]
Output dips at UK manufacturers but growth is “solid” thanks to sterling fall November 1, 2016 The UK's manufacturing sector continued to grow at a "solid", if slightly slower, pace in October, new figures have shown. Markit's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector fell to 54.3, from 55.5 in September – although it was well above its long-term average of 51.5. Any figure above 50 denotes growth. Unsurprisingly, the growth [...]
EU business leaders say bah to Brexit: They’re the most confident in the world November 1, 2016 Theresa May is triggering Article 50 by the end of March next year, but for now, EU business leaders are feeling confident. They don't think the impact of Brexit is likely to be felt for some time. Leadership organisation YPO has said that economic confidence among chief executives in the European Union bounced back in [...]
The run on the pound hasn’t finished yet and will fall further when the PM triggers Article 50 November 1, 2016 Sterling will lose a further five per cent of its value against the dollar when Prime Minister Theresa May formally pushes the button to leave the EU. A poll of analysts revealed that the pound will most likely drop to $1.15 when May triggers Article 50, but Britain's currency will keep its nose above parity against the euro. [...]
Jobseekers enjoy lower competition for jobs as number of vacancies recovers slightly November 1, 2016 Advertised vacancies were up 0.8 per cent in September in the latest sign that the job market could be experiencing a slight recovery after a slip over the summer. The total number of advertised jobs was 1,132,844 in September, a slight rise from the 1,123,365 seen in August, new figures from Adzuna showed, concluding that confidence [...]