Cheap Houses, Expensive Politics: Italy, Ageing Populations and Immigration

The Post-Holiday Daydream Holidays are over, the beaches are just a memory, and reality is back with a thud. Every September, millions of us ask the same wistful question: why can’t life always be like this? Why not move somewhere sunny, with cheap wine and great food? The newspapers know this seasonal mood well. Like … Read more

The Wealth Tax Mirage: Why Reeves Won’t Wave Labour’s New Magic Wand

Another Magic Wand The latest “big idea” in economics is wealth taxes. The claim: Britain’s collapsing public services and messy finances exist because the rich don’t pay enough, and governments are too timid to act. I’m always suspicious of these kinds of fads. The right had its laffer curves, trickle-down theory and efficient markets. The … Read more

The UK Pension Crisis: Where did the money go?

The Office of Budget Responsibility have published their most recent fiscal risks and sustainability report. One of the biggest risks to the UK economy is the cost of pensions. Pensions have been growing much faster than the economy for the last 10 years+. I wrote about this last month which caused howls of anguish – … Read more

Crisis in the Welfare State: How Starmer got into such a mess

Keir Starmer is facing the biggest rebellion of his premiership over plans to reform the welfare state. Almost a third of Labour MPs have signed an amendment by Meg Hillier aimed at derailing Liz Kendall’s flagship bill, which is due for debate in Parliament next week. The Government will be working over the weekend to … Read more