The budget deficit is the annual amount the government has to borrow to meet the shortfall between current receipts (tax) and government spending. Net borrowing for the UK 2021/11 is £151.8bn or 14.8% of GDP [OBR – J511] National debt or public sector net debt – is the total amount the government owes – accumulated …
A budget deficit is the annual shortfall between government spending and tax revenue. The deficit is the annual amount the government need to borrow. The deficit is primarily funded by selling government bonds (gilts) to the private sector. Summary of effects of a budget deficit Rise in national debt Higher debt interest payments Increase in …
Wage growth is a key factor in determining living standards, aggregate demand and inflation. If wages increase faster than inflation, then households will be able to afford more goods and services. Real wage growth = nominal wage growth – inflation. In the post-war period, apart from short-lived recessions, real wage growth has been positive, growing …
Inflation is a continuous rise in the price level. Inflation means the value of money will fall and purchase relatively fewer goods than previously. In summary: Inflation will hurt those who keep cash savings and workers with fixed wages. Inflation will benefit those with large debts who, with rising prices, find it easier to pay …
Reader’s Question: Why does printing money cause inflation? Does this always occur? Summary If the money supply increases faster than output then, ceteris paribus, inflation will occur. If a government prints extra money, households will have more cash and more money to spend on goods. But, if the amount of goods stays the same, the …
Readers Question: Does rising interest rates always result in a fall in house prices? No. It doesn’t always cause a fall in house prices. But, looking at historical data, when there is a sustained and significant rise in interest rates, it is very likely house prices will fall. For example, the 1981 and 1991 house …
