A good post by Simon Wren Lewis on future UK macroeconomic policy – learning from the experience of the past few years. – Bold macroeconomic policy for a new government. Essentially, it involves committing to a more flexible fiscal policy which can take into account the different requirements of liquidity trap (ZLB). Monetary policy should …
In the past 15 years, there is a general sense that many public services have been deteriorating. This isn’t just pessimism but backed up by longer waiting lists, crumbling infrastructure, even a record number of potholes. But this fiscal blackhole is likely to get worse before it gets better. The Hidden Financial Black Hole Waiting …
The economist recently warned that governments are living in a fiscal fantasyland, failing to confront dire and growing levels of debt. High inflation and rising interest rates have caused a surge in debt interest payments. By next year, the UK’s debt service payments will be similar to the entire education budget. It is a similar …
Definition: The fiscal stance of a government refers to how its level of spending and taxation impact on aggregate demand and economic growth. Higher taxes and a budget surplus is seen as fiscal consolidation or deflationary stance. A budget deficit has an expansionary impact. A fiscal stance can be expansionary, neutral or deflationary. Expansionary stance: …
The policy trilemma refers to the trade-offs a government faces when deciding international monetary policy. In particular, the policy trilemma contends that it is not possible to have all three objectives at the same time, but has to choose two from the following three options: Free movement of capital Independent (autonomous) monetary policy Fixed (managed) …
Monetary policy involves using interest rates and other monetary tools to influence the levels of consumer spending and aggregate demand (AD). In particular monetary policy aims to stabilise the economic cycle – keep inflation low and avoid recessions. Aim of monetary policy Low inflation. UK target is CPI 2% +/-1. Low inflation is considered an important …
Monetary policy involves influencing and controlling the money supply/interest rates to target inflation and economic growth. Monetary policy primarily involves changing interest rates, though it can include other tools such as quantitative easing and open market operations. In recent decades there has been a trend to making Central Banks independent and responsible for setting interest …
Definition of Fiscal Drag Fiscal drag is a concept where inflation and earnings growth may push more taxpayers into higher tax brackets. Therefore fiscal drag has the effect of raising government tax revenue without explicitly raising tax rates. This fiscal drag has the effect of reducing (or limiting increase) in Aggregate Demand and becomes an …