Westminster

Labour’s budget boondoggle

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” Halloween budget may have been a treat for public sector workers, but it’s shaping up to be a trick for everyone else. Financial markets have responded with scepticism – bond yields are climbing, and the pound is sliding.

What phoenix out of net zero’s sorry ashes?

Was net zero just another government programme? Destined to be abandoned and forgotten long before it could even fail. History is littered with examples…

Only Labour could pull the plug on EVs

Labour have now backed away from one of their most prominent “green” goals, EV adoption. But this may be only the beginning of a general shift away from political unpopular policies. One can only hope...

The other shoe is about to drop

The UK economy is slowing again, making it unlikely that recent taxes hikes will actually increase revenue. Government finances will continue to deteriorate. Gilts and sterling may both decline in value. Investors should turn to gold to protect their wealth.

You cannot violate the laws of economics… for long

Politicians are specialists in being aware of human’s infinite wants. But they don’t seem to be aware of the constraint of finite resources at all.

The Trump-Labour divide: should we be worried?

The US and UK are natural allies in trade and defence policy Will Labour be willing to work with the Trump administration? The alternative is…

What the “Halloween” budget means for Britain

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” Halloween budget was not at all pro-business or growth. Should we be afraid?

Rachel Reeves turned your pension into Hotel California

It finally happened. The trap snapped shut with new taxes on inherited pensions. You can check out anytime you like, but your money can never leave.

Unproductive spending and taxes on investment

The budget is in. But what does it really mean? I asked our editorial team to give their take. And got three completely different answers… Which one do you agree with?