Source: ONS MF6U UK government spending passed over £1 trillion in 2020 due to the extra spending measures of the Covid Pandemic. Total spending compared to Nominal GDP Source: HMT public spending statistics (May 2022) The rise in spending 2020-21, also combined with a fall in GDP UK Public spending as % of GDP Source: …
Earlier this year, the World Bank warned up to 40 nations are at risk of defaulting on their sovereign debt. Already Sri Lanka, once hailed as an economic jewel, has badly defaulted as the country slides into economic turmoil. But, the bank warns many others, such as El Salvador, Ghana, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya and Argentina …
Reader’s Question: Why Does Inflation Make it Easier for Governments to pay back the debt? The big fall in national debt as % of GDP occurred during relatively high inflation periods of 50s, 60s, and 70s. The 1920s and 30s were a period of deflation and high debt. There are a few reasons inflation …
Readers Question: What does the Government spend its money on? The government spends money for a variety of reasons: Reduce inequality (welfare payments like unemployment benefit). Provide public goods (fire, police, national defence) Provide important public services like education and health (merit goods) Debt interest payments. Transport Military spending UK public sector spending 2023-24 …
Collusion involves firms coming to an agreement to artificially raise prices and increase profitability at the expense of consumers. Collusion can lead to significant welfare loss and governments have sought to prevent it through a variety of policies, including: Fines for firms found guilty of collusion Fines and jail sentences for company executives who are …
One of the main issues in economics is the extent to which the government should intervene in the economy. Free market economists argue that government intervention should be strictly limited as government intervention tends to cause an inefficient allocation of resources. However, others argue there is a strong case for government intervention in different fields, …
The next 12 months are going to see unprecedented demands on the government budget. It is likely GDP will fall 10-20% – if not more. On its own, this would lead to a surge in government borrowing Fall in income tax receipts as people earn less Fall in VAT and excise duties as people spend …
Since Jan 2017, US borrowing has increased – with over $2.7 trillion added to the US national debt. Whilst fears over debt are often over-blown, there is little long-term benefit or justification for these high levels of borrowing. The past few years represent a missed opportunity to reduce debt as % of GDP and/or invest …