Speed or stability? Bond markets strap in for Andy Burnham coronation Economics City bond traders are strapping in for a “jumpy” ride as Andy Burnham looks set to cruise into Downing Street uncontested – even if a coronation helps head off the worst volatility, analysts have said. The former Manchester Mayor’s bid for the top job won a major boost today as former health secretary Wes Streeting [...]
Andy Haldane: Britain after Brexit Opinion The UK economy is suffering from deep-seated psychological scarring caused by a sequence of crises, which necessitates a strategic re-imagining of the state’s role in generating growth, says Andy Haldane We are fast approaching the ten-year anniversary of Brexit – an event that is sure to leave a large and lasting scar on our economy, [...]
Government should fix ‘stubbornly weak’ growth with policy test, industry body argues Business The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on the government to break decades of low economic growth by introducing a new delivery test, as businesses continue to slash investment under the burden of mounting costs. In the BCC diagnoses, the UK’s growth problem is not a lack of potential but a failure to turn [...]
Never forget the undeniable moral case for capitalism June 11, 2026 Critics of capitalism describe it as immoral. In pointing to subjective (and sometimes objective) examples of unethical or harmful behaviour they conclude that capitalism is the enabling or even necessary force. Others, in so far as they stop to think about it, may conclude that the free-market system is amoral; that it is utterly indifferent [...]
Even Zack Polanski’s favourite economist admits wealth taxes don’t work June 8, 2026 Gabriel Zucman has told Zack Polanski’s podcast that wealth taxes don’t work – so why are they both so keen to bring them back? Asks Kristian Niemietz “The historical experience with wealth taxation, by and large, is a failure. Pretty big failure.” Who said that? Was it an economist from a Tufton Street think tank? [...]
Andy Burnham ducks ‘fiscal rules exam’ despite pledge to stick to them June 6, 2026 Andy Burnham refused to explain Labour’s fiscal rules on Friday, despite insisting he would stick to them if he entered Downing Street, raising questions over the economic strategy underpinning his growing leadership bid. The Greater Manchester Mayor, who has spent months positioning himself as Labour’s most prominent alternative voice, was challenged to explain the government’s [...]
Is it time to change how we measure inflation? June 3, 2026 Measures of inflation are hugely influential on policy but struggle to account for the pace of technological innovation, says Paul Ormerod During this decade, the rate of inflation has become a key factor in determining living standards. Many benefits are linked to it. It sets a marker for wage demands. And when it goes up, [...]
World Cup won’t boost US or European economies, experts warn June 2, 2026 The upcoming Fifa World Cup is unlikely to deliver significant or lasting economic growth for its three hosts and the European market, experts have warned. The quadrennial tournament – being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico – is set to “generate excitement far more reliably than sustained economic transformation”. Natixis CIB’s report, Beyond [...]
Cyberattacks hit UK businesses with £3.7bn in legal costs last year May 18, 2026 Large UK businesses were forced to fork out £3.7bn to defend legal action brought by shareholders last year over cyberattacks, according to new research from insurance giant Gallagher and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). Cyberattacks cost firms with over 250 employees an estimated £11.7bn in total, with litigation being the second largest [...]
UK businesses eyeing shift to ‘more predictable’ tax regimes May 14, 2026 UK businesses are considering relocating abroad for a more stable tax and regulatory landscape, according to new research from consulting and network Baker Tilly International. The group, in its annual mid-market survey conducted earlier this year, found that out of all nine markets and 1,500 business leaders surveyed, including in the US, China, and India, [...]