Budget 2014: More household debt, less savings
Budget 2014: More household debt, less savings
In its assessment of the economic health of the UK, the OBR has flagged up likely trends for consumers that should make […]
Read moreBudget 2014: The good, the bad & the ugly
Budget 2014: The good, the bad & the ugly
So, a quick overview of the Budget implications from a helicopter view point: The good: Significant support for investment (increasing AIA to […]
Read moreShortage of Engineering Skills
Shortage of Engineering Skills
A couple of weeks ago, an industry colleague challenged me, saying ‘Everyone bangs on about a skills shortage, but where’s the evidence?’ […]
Read moreThe UK’s first Security Exports Strategy
The UK’s first Security Exports Strategy
The 27 February was a significant day for the security sector, as Theresa May, the Home Secretary, launched the UK’s first Security Exports Strategy. […]
Read moreImproving basic cyber security – the government’s draft standard
Improving basic cyber security – the government’s draft standard
The government intends to develop a ‘cyber hygiene profile’ (standard) to improve basic cyber security in organisations in any economic sector. The profile will: […]
Read moreDigital Policing – will the Met Police lead the way?
Digital Policing – will the Met Police lead the way?
The Metropolitan Police recently published its new technology strategy, Total Technology, for the period 2014 to 2017. The drivers for this digital policing vision are: Improving […]
Read moreUnreasonable expectations? Interest rates are going up soon, or may go up later.
Unreasonable expectations? Interest rates are going up soon, or may go up later.
Yesterday, Mark Carney, the Government of the Bank of England, set out further guidance on its forward guidance (i.e. not considering raising […]
Read moreUS lessons for the UK economy
US lessons for the UK economy
US GDP figures out yesterday shed some new light on the outlook for the UK economy. Fourth quarter DGP growth was 3.2% […]
Read moreState of the Union 2014: Lessons for the UK?
State of the Union 2014: Lessons for the UK?
Last night, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address in which he outlined some of the measures required in order […]
Read moreUK economy – maintaining the growth momentum
UK economy – maintaining the growth momentum
It is encouraging news that that the UK’s economic recovery is really starting to take hold. For the first time since the […]
Read moreCommercial aircraft orders up 28% to a record 3,182 in 2013
Commercial aircraft orders up 28% to a record 3,182 in 2013
2013 proved to be a record year for the global commercial aircraft industry. Global demand for new aircraft and engines is generating new demand […]
Read moreOBR’s 3 factors influencing business investment
OBR’s 3 factors influencing business investment
Alongside the Autumn Statement last December, the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The report addresses the […]
Read moreNet lending to manufacturing down 40%
Net lending to manufacturing down 40%
A tweet and article by Chris Dillow alerted me to the Bank of England net lending figures for manufacturing (which only go back […]
Read more4 questions raised by Ed Miliband’s speech
4 questions raised by Ed Miliband’s speech
Earlier today, Labour Leader Ed Miliband set out his stall on the economy. His speech, focusing primarily on fixing the British banking […]
Read moreRobots and jobs (again)
Robots and jobs (again)
As an economist, I hate bad data and over interpretation of bad data. And although a picture may say a thousand words, […]
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