The last few weeks have been an extraordinary time in UK politics and in economic policy-making. The currency and, more importantly, the bond market’s reaction to the 23rd September mini-Budget called time on the UK government’s unsustainable fiscal stance. It has led to a Chancellor resigning after only 38 days and to a Prime Minister and government teetering on the … [Read more...] about The ‘markets’ ease the return to economic reality
UK Government
Fantasy economics: alive and well on both sides of the border
The past few weeks has seen some disturbing events occur with regards to economic and fiscal matters in both Scotland and the UK. At the UK level the events have been pretty obvious with the new Government doing its best to introduce an extra level of instability to economic conditions. Essentially it was saying: ⁃ we are going to introduce unproven policies to try and … [Read more...] about Fantasy economics: alive and well on both sides of the border
Mixed messages on migration
A pandemic is a long time in politics. So we should not be surprised that our notoriously inconsistent Prime Minister now urges EU citizens to come back to the UK.Only a few months ago, during the General Election campaign, he was accusing them of having treated the UK as though it were ‘basically part of their own country’.Perhaps Boris Johnson should ask himself … [Read more...] about Mixed messages on migration
Boris Johnson: Covid-19 and the dark side of optimism
Since the prime minister was discharged from intensive care after his treatment for Covid-19, British newspapers, notably The Sunday Times, have carried critical articles arguing that the UK Government was too slow to deal with the pandemic. Instead of taking prompt action to ensure social distancing, outlaw mass events, or implement appropriate testing, the government wasted … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson: Covid-19 and the dark side of optimism