Wednesday’s news that 16,000 first-time buyers have saved thousands of pounds thanks to their exemption from stamp duty is, on … Continue reading “Put aside the gimmicks and get the government out of our lives”

The annual Budget is regarded as a grandstand event in the UK parliamentary year. This reflects our centralised political system. … Continue reading “Sins of omission: the problem with the Budget was what was NOT in it”

There have been four budget or budget-like statements in less than a year now. That’s four opportunities for the Chancellor … Continue reading “Damian McBride is right: George Osborne maintains broad spending aim, but increasingly resembles Brown”

For the third time in a year, tomorrow, George Osborne will take to the despatch box to deliver a budget … Continue reading “This Autumn Statement could significantly change the UK state”

Whenever we approach a General Election or Budget, the competition for the daftest tax policy idea is always intense. The … Continue reading “Why Tory plans to reform Inheritance Tax will make a bad system even worse”

It’s a well-known saying that “turkeys don’t vote for Christmas”. So calling for George Osborne to take to the despatch … Continue reading “George Osborne should abolish the Budget”

With the fiscal situation still tight, and a year to go before an election in which the Chancellor will accuse … Continue reading “Osborne’s Budget 2014: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”

At first sight, the 2013 Budget seems to mean good news for prospective homebuyers and working parents. Under the new … Continue reading “Demand and supply: why the Budget fails on A-level economics”

George Osborne continues to make the same error he made in previous budgets. He is assuming the British economy will … Continue reading “Chancellor still taking a dangerous gamble on future growth”