Incomes· Prices & consumption Guest blog: When the ONS changes its mind, economic policy and political reputation are on the line 30 July 2018 by Dan Corry and Peter Kenway In these ‘post-expert’ times, it’s worth remembering that good policy rests on good evidence. Our fiscal and monetary institutions don’t just set policy with reference to economic theory, but in relation to what’s going on in the economy. So – as we heard earlier this week – when history gets re-written in a way that … Continued READ MORE
Economy and public finances Heatwaves, grannies and capitalism Top of the Charts 27 July 2018 Afternoon all, I don’t want to worry you – but I’m pretty sure this is what the end of days would look like. Tonight the moon is going to turn the colour of blood – which apparently we’re all meant to think is fun, rather than a sign of impending doom… And if that wasn’t … Continued READ MORE
Firms· Productivity & industrial strategy· Economy and public finances· Economic growth Time to concentrate on our capitalism 26 July 2018 by Torsten Bell and Daniel Tomlinson Our politicians are anxious. And not just because no-one has a decent poll lead or idea where Brexit will end up. No, some are finding the time to get anxious about other things too, including the state of capitalism in the UK. The angst isn’t limited to the left either, with Michael Gove becoming a … Continued READ MORE
Inequality & poverty· Childcare· Welfare A history lesson wouldn’t hurt – at least when it comes to child poverty 24 July 2018 by Torsten Bell and Adam Corlett This blog originally appeared on Times Red Box. A few years back there was an outbreak of national angst about no one studying history any more. The House of Lords even managed a debate on it. That worry seems a long way down the list of concerns these days, when everyone has the latest Donald … Continued READ MORE
Multi-jobbers, pay gaps and the hipster index Top of the Charts 20 July 2018 Afternoon all, Half the government seems to have quit (we’re on to people you’ve never heard of) and Labour MPs are getting in on the act. But MPs aren’t the only ones shedding jobs – this week’s reading brings confirmation that the idea ever more people are doing two or three jobs is a myth. … Continued READ MORE
Public spending· Economy and public finances We’re all social democrats now 17 July 2018 by Torsten Bell It’s Super Tuesday on the fiscal policy front. Try not to get too excited. Today a lucky world gains not only the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Fiscal Sustainability Report (the ‘FSR’ looks ages over the next 50 years to ask: ‘how bust are we if we carry on as we are’) but also the Treasury’s … Continued READ MORE
Labour market· Pay More good news today for low-income families, unless they want a pay rise 17 July 2018 by Stephen Clarke The Office for National Statistic’s monthly release of labour market statistics is an opportunity for economists and commentators to probe the state of the UK economy. Many Twitter characters have been spilt arguing if the figures presage faster wage growth, where employment may heading next, and what all this means for the Bank of England’s … Continued READ MORE
Labour market· Migration The most biddable of them all? 16 July 2018 by Lindsay Judge This piece originally appeared on Times Red Box. Today’s headlines tell us once again that net migration from the EU to the UK is down significantly since the Brexit referendum, with record levels of emigration of EU citizens and a large drop in the number of people coming from the continent looking for work. In … Continued READ MORE
Burning injustices special edition Top of the Charts 13 July 2018 Morning all, Never mind a week, two minutes is a long time in politics these days. And two years is an eternity, so for Theresa May simply to have reached her second anniversary of taking up residence in Downing Street today is something of a triumph. Her speech on the steps of Downing Street the … Continued READ MORE
Bouncy floors, sticky ceilings and why you should watch what you search for Top of the Charts 6 July 2018 Afternoon all, It’s the knockout stage. In or out. The tension is unbearable. Or just mildly irritating depending on your degree of perspective…. Today’s Brexit showdown at Chequers is set to expose splits in the government and country, but tomorrow’s England game will bring us all back together so it’ll all be fine – right? … Continued READ MORE
Labour market When algorithms go to war in the workplace Businesses crunch data to gain power; workers should bend it to their own ambitions 2 July 2018 by Gavin Kelly One constant in public debate is the assertion that the world of work is on the cusp of unprecedented change. Amid the hype, one genuine source of flux is the manner in which data and technology are combining to alter workplace management and control. To date, this has been a tale of the good, the … Continued READ MORE
Living standards· Cities and regions Tackling London’s living standards exodus 2 July 2018 by Conor D’Arcy Everyone knows housing is a disaster in London. This is most obvious in the ludicrous prices that properties fetch, but London’s housing problems stretch well beyond having to fork out over half a million pounds for a poky flat in Zone 2. For a start, the way people are housed in London has changed dramatically … Continued READ MORE
