Last week, for the first time in history, Moody downgraded the credit rating of US debt, it has sparked long-term bond yields to rise to levels last seen in 2008. Moody’s predicts that the US deficit will rise to 9% of GDP by 2035. This is really unprecedented for peace time. The forecast assumes no …
1970s – The Decade That Nearly BROKE BritainWatch this video on YouTube Rubbish piled on the streets, record levels of strikes, an IMF bailout and runaway inflation. The 1970s has gone down in the popular imagination as a dark time, literally in the case of the 3-day week, when lights were turned off, but …
Will Printing Money and QE cause Runaway Inflation?Watch this video on YouTube After the First World War, the German government were left with huge debts and reparation payments to the Allies. Faced with striking workers the government began printing money to pay workers higher salaries. It gave the government a temporary breathing space, …
Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, the threat of a global trade war has contributed to confidence in the UK economy plummeting to record lows. The IPSOS economic index is running at the lowest level since records began. But, it’s more than just international turmoil; dissatisfaction with the economy has been building …
Will The Stock Market Crash Continue?Watch this video on YouTube Since the start of the year, the Dow Jones has fallen 10%, but this is more than a stock market correction. Bond yields are rising, the dollar is falling and price of gold is soaring. It is an unusual combination to have falling stocks and …
Watch this video on YouTube In 1909, the UK provided the first state pension to those over 70. At the time, the average life expectancy was just 52. Since then, the average life expectancy has increased to over 81. But, the pension age today is 66. It means the average person receives a state pension …
How to Tax The Wealthy – Wealth Taxes Which WorkWatch this video on YouTube In the past two decades, average wages have stagnated and government debt has risen. It seems to be an era of austerity. But, it’s not all bad news. UK household wealth has reached a record £13.6 trillion – over six times …
House Prices – What Happens Next?Watch this video on YouTube Here is a graph that often surprises me. If we adjust UK house prices for inflation, they are the same level as 2003. In other words, if you bought a house in 2003, ignore the effects of inflation, then the average house hasn’t increased in …