The British public should be wary of the recent fad of lavish infrastructure spending as often they are little more … Continue reading “It’s time for a new take on infrastructure spending – but not the one Westminster picked”

As the chancellor prepares his Budget and US President Donald Trump shapes his economic plan, commentators are urging both to … Continue reading “The case for an infrastructure spending splurge rests on shaky foundations”

To many people’s relief, there were not many big ideas in Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement last month. In so far … Continue reading “Those who benefit from new infrastructure should pay for it”

To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Or when it comes to the UK economy: to … Continue reading “The Trump-Hammond-Keynesian consensus is wrong: Higher infrastructure spending does not equal higher growth”

Do not let the title of this blog deceive you, dear reader. I am a big fan of the IFS … Continue reading “Ignore the IFS, Chancellor. There is no case for a fiscal stimulus”

Mention the name Philip Hammond in Westminster, and invariably someone will describe him as “a safe pair of hands”. The … Continue reading “Hammond is wrong to assume an infrastructure splurge will boost growth”

A question, readers. Who said “spending and borrowing our way out of a recession, over and above the levels that … Continue reading “Hammond should ignore siren calls for more fiscal stimulus and develop a real strategy for growth”

The 2015 election campaign offered the electorate a choice of policies on HS2: The two major parties, plus the Lib … Continue reading “Google might have an alternative to HS2”