Clik here to view.
A taxing problem
Today the top-rate of VAT has risen from 17.5% to 20%. The Government argues that the move is necessary to increase tax revenues and tackle the deficit, suggesting that once economic conditions improve...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Manageable? Perhaps. Desirable? Far from it.
George Santayana wrote ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’; Ed Miliband would be wise to heed Santayana’s warning in formulating his administration’s economic policies,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s growth, stupid
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to attend the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference. It provided an opportunity to hear the views of the business community and what the Government is doing to...
View ArticleGerman Style Banking System Way Forward for the UK
Labour leader Ed Miliband is due to announce today a new policy to build a network of regional banks modelled on Germany’s system of local savings banks – the ‘Sparkassen’ (See FT and BBC news...
View ArticleThe family, patriotism and the language of loss – Jon Cruddas speaks to...
Jon Cruddas brought his special brand of down-to-earth candour to Civitas last night for a speech on the direction of One Nation Labour. He isn’t a glitzy speaker but he displays a frankness and...
View ArticleLabour needs a practical and measured response on immigration and Europe
Following Ukip’s triumph in the recent European elections, it appeared that the pro-EU case at the forefront of the political landscape in Britain had breathed its last breath. The televised EU debates...
View ArticleEd Miliband has strengthened his message to voters but needs to offer details
Yesterday’s keynote conference speech by the Labour Leader Ed Miliband contained a lot for policy analysts to chew on during the coming months. Though the speech received a frosty reception this...
View ArticleHas Blair’s rebate cut cost the UK more than the £1.7bn payment would?
Following the by-election in Heywood and Middleton earlier this month, in which Labour only just scraped a win with 36.2% of the vote, former Prime Minister Tony Blair is back with some more advice for...
View ArticleLabour EU reforms shadow Conservative aspirations
Labour might well form the next government, either with the Liberal Democrats and SNP, or as a minority. This could be a significant setback for those who want radical reform of Britain’s EU...
View ArticleReferendum fears are self-fulfilling, so Out campaigners must prepare
In the weeks before the Scottish independence referendum, multinationals like RBS said they worried about an independent Scotland and what currency it would use. The pound weakened and the FTSE fell....
View Article
