In 1957, the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan proclaimed to the electorate “You’ve never had it so good”. And he had a point, full employment, a growing economy, debt falling rapidly, record house building, rising wages, universal health care and a growing sense of optimism that things would keep getting better. But, can you imagine …
We Can’t Afford a Trump Trade WarWatch this video on YouTube In 1930, the US economy entered a deep recession and President Hoover responded by passing the Smoot Hawley tariff bill which saw average US tariffs almost double. The aim was to help US manufacturers from foreign competition. But, the bill was a disaster, …
Hampshire is one of the more prosperous parts of England, average house prices are over £400,000, but Hampshire County Council has the largest deficit in the UK. Like many local councils, it is at risk of bankruptcy. The council is spending more, but residents appear to be getting less. In 2011, the council spent 52% …
Greece is the cradle of western civilisation. Philosophy, democracy and unique cultural icons. But, 15 years ago, something terrible started to happen to the Greek economy, which saw one of the biggests hits to living standards in the western world. GDP collapsed, unemployment soared and Greece became an economic basket case. This article explains what …
In May 2010, the Conservative coalition entered government against a backdrop of the great financial crisis, which had sent the pound tumbling, a deep recession and record government deficits. Cameron and Osborne blamed the crisis on high debt and wasted no time in imposing austerity measures on the economy. Yet, 14 years after the start …
It’s official the UK entered into recession last year with GDP falling over a period of six months. However, with only a 0.4% fall in GDP some argue the recession is relatively mild. This is Not a Mild RecessionWatch this video on YouTube But, if we look at real output per capita, the UK economy …
How QE Damaged the Economy and Housing MarketWatch this video on YouTube When we are young, we are taught money doesn’t grow on trees, but that’s not quite true, with QE the Central Bank can create as much money as it likes. And since the financial crisis, the Bank of England created £845 billion …
Thatcher introduced a break with the post-war consensus introducing new economic ideas such as Monetarism Free-market supply side policies Privatisation Tax cuts (especially for high income earners) Reduced power of trade unions. The impact was far ranging. Did Thatcher Ruin or Save the UK Economy?Watch this video on YouTube The 1970s Economy The 1970s was …