Well, we now have the details of the budget. The key headlines are that the Government are going to increase state benefits, especially by ending the two child cap on child benefit. This was widely floated and no surprise. Some of the rhetoric against the move was concerning with questions along the lines of “I… Continue reading Reflections on the Budget
Tag: economics
Do we need a political theology?
In my article responding to Joel Knight about his EN article on Donald Trump, I observed that he had raised the issue of Political Theology. I suggested that this was something worth enlarging on. My concern was that there were a number of potential ways to take the statement, some more helpful than others. Political… Continue reading Do we need a political theology?
Government, childcare, muddled values and faulty assumptions
The Government are concerned that shortages in the labour market risk harming economic growth. Of course, some might suggest that labour shortages have a bit of a relationship to recent changes to immigration policy post Brexit.[1] However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt has come up with a different answer. As part of a… Continue reading Government, childcare, muddled values and faulty assumptions
Why the dollar/pound exchange rate matters
Just some quick notes about what has been happening with the currency and what that directly has to do with us. Let’s simply things down for explanation. Supposing the £1 is trading at $2. It obviously affects when you go on holiday because you want to get as many dollars when you go so you… Continue reading Why the dollar/pound exchange rate matters
Further reflections on Trussonomics
I’ve been reflecting a little more on the debate around the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement last Friday and what is now becoming referred to as “Trussonomics.” You will remember that my assessment was that it was economically illiterate and politically stupid. Perhaps you thought that harsh. Perhaps not given the even stronger assertions from… Continue reading Further reflections on Trussonomics
“In this day and age?”
I’m increasingly seeing comments along the lines of “We shouldn’t be seeing or y … in this day and age.” Or “It is disgusting that in one of the richest G7 countries that we should be seeing x.” These statements at the moment relate specifically to the pressures that people are starting to face in… Continue reading “In this day and age?”
How helpful will a 1p tax cut be?
One of the measures that the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his financial statement on Friday was a 1p cut in the basic rate. This was already planned but has been brought forward a year. I want to highlight some of the challenges around decisions concerning taxation when the aim is to help those… Continue reading How helpful will a 1p tax cut be?
What should the Chancellor do about recession?
Today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is making a special announcement about his fiscal plans. We are not allowed to call it an emergency budget though. He does so, primarily to give a bit more detail about how the Government are going to help with the energy crisis. This is part two following on from… Continue reading What should the Chancellor do about recession?
The Cost of Living Crisis: What does Liz Truss need to do?
Today, the United Kingdom gets a new Prime Minister. However we feel about her personally and the party she represents, our first responsibility as Christians is to pray for her and the government as well as for the leader of the opposition. Liz Truss comes into power with some pressing challenges to respond to. The… Continue reading The Cost of Living Crisis: What does Liz Truss need to do?
Just because someone proposes a solution to the cost of living crisis doesn’t mean we have to jump at it
Whilst I’ve complained at times that there has been a slowness to talk about the cost-of-living crises, that doesn’t mean that no-one is talking about it. This week, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown weighed in with his take on the crisis and what needs to be done. He spoke with a characteristic sense of urgency… Continue reading Just because someone proposes a solution to the cost of living crisis doesn’t mean we have to jump at it
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