CPIY = CPI – indirect taxes such as VAT, stamp duty and excise duty. This gives a guide to underlying inflation, stripping away the distortionary impact of indirect taxes. This suggests underlying inflation is lower than the headline rate.(CPIY statistics.gov) A big issue for the UK economy is the existence of inflation when theoretically, there …
Most western economies are facing the prospect of record peace time government debt levels. The EU Maastrict Criteria stated that the maximum budget deficit member countries could run is a budget deficit of 3% of GDP. (By the way, I am glad this target for government borrowing has not been enforced. That would have been …
On Wednesday 16 September 1992, the UK economy was in deep recession, with unemployment of 10% interest rates of 10%, and the Pound was struggling to maintain its value against the D-Mark. As soon as markets opened, financial investors piled in to sell pounds to a beleaguered government, and Sterling fell, reaching the floor of …
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, …
In the past four decades, China has undergone a genuine economic miracle. 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty, through economic growth that has often averaged close to 10%. China’s rise has changed the world. Our shops are flooded with cheap Chinese consumer goods, and many of our factories closed down. China went …
Iss the UK broke? How much can the government borrow? Has the government run out of money? Firstly, how does the UK compare to other countries? The UK is not alone in running government debt close to 100% of GDP. But, it is still nearly double European countries like Norway and Ireland. But, this graph …
The UK housing market is in crisis, with prices eight times median incomes. The latest idea to be floated is the return of government-backed 99% mortgages. The logic is that since house prices are out of reach for many, a 99% mortgage would enable more to be able to buy without waiting the 19 years …
In the space of 18 months, Bank of England base rates have risen from historical lows to 5%, with more expected. It’s a remarkable turnaround for an economy accustomed to ultra-low borrowing costs – the rapid increase in rates have seen soaring mortgage costs and threatens to push an already struggling economy into recession. Yet …