Here’s what Theresa May doesn’t want you to see December 10, 2013 A controversial government review into European migration has encountered something of an obstacle, in the form of home secretary Theresa May. The Balance of Competences review was due to be released yesterday, as part of a set of documents evaluating the UK's relationship with the EU, but has been delayed by May, reports the [...]
We must not ignore the economic evidence on immigration’s benefits December 10, 2013 CONCERNS about immigration continue to gather strength. A recent poll by Survation for Sky News found that 67 per cent think the coalition’s attempt to reduce net migration to 100,000 per year does not go far enough. More than a quarter feel that immigration in the last decade brought no positive benefit to the UK. [...]
The real reason the chancellor should not let the OBR audit party manifestos December 9, 2013 IT HAS been a tough week for Ed Balls. Many within Labour are said to be questioning his position as shadow chancellor following his disastrous response to George Osborne’s Autumn Statement. While Balls claims he “couldn’t give a toss” about the speculation, he needs to repair his party’s economic credibility, and fast. That’s one reason [...]
UK economy improving but far from cured December 8, 2013 THERE can be no doubt that this Winter Budget – as it should really have been called – was a great win for George Osborne. For the first time since around 2007, Britain is moving in the right, rather than the wrong, direction. Growth has bounced back, the deficit is falling, employment is surging, unemployment [...]
Our at-a-glance guide to Osborne’s mini-budget December 5, 2013 Growth up, borrowing down, yet the debt is still rising. Another raid on the banks, but shops to gain from reduced business rates THE UK ECONOMIC OUTLOOK● The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has revised up its forecast for economic growth and revised down its prediction for inflation. It expects unemployment to drop quickly next [...]
UK economy improving but far from cured December 5, 2013 THERE can be no doubt that this Winter Budget – as it should really have been called – was a great win for George Osborne. For the first time since around 2007, Britain is moving in the right, rather than the wrong, direction. Growth has bounced back, the deficit is falling, employment is surging, unemployment [...]
Timid new policies do little to address the risks behind Osborne’s good news December 5, 2013 FOR THE first time since before the financial crisis, the chancellor of the Exchequer was able to stand up and announce some good news at the Autumn Statement yesterday: the deficit, the labour market, and growth are all better than expected. Alistair Darling started by predicting a “trampoline” recovery when the recession first hit, with [...]
Letters to the editor – 06/12 – Tax crackdown, Crossrail Two, Best of Twitter December 5, 2013 Tax crackdown [Re: Autumn Statement: What to watch out for, yesterday] There has been so much talk of tax avoidance that a fear factor has developed, with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) playing the role of chief scaremongerer. We have reached an extremely worrying point where people would prefer to pay too much tax rather than [...]
More cash for apprenticeships and cap on university places is lifted December 5, 2013 A RAFT of measures on education were announced as part of the Autumn Statement yesterday. The chancellor focused on policies to encourage more apprenticeships and additional university places to cater for increased demand. On apprenticeships, Osborne announced that money will now go direct to providers from HMRC. An extra £40m will be invested over two [...]
Everything revealed in the Autumn Statement December 5, 2013 New cringeworthy slogans "Responsible recovery" and "fixing the roof while the sun is shining" have become popular with chancellor George Osborne's speechwriters. "Hardworking families" also got a mention. OBR growth estimates are up 2013: 1.4 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent in March2014: 2.4 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in March2015: 2.2 [...]