Steve Schifferes

UK Economy

Rachel Reeves’ route to economic growth is a slow one – and there are no guarantees voters will be patient enough

— UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has shifted to an upbeat economic outlook, unveiling pension and infrastructure reforms. However, slow growth, planning delays, and labour shortages threaten Labour’s long-term vision and electoral credibility.

UK Politics

Did Starmer have to be so miserable? The doom and gloom may be more political than economic

— Keir Starmer has warned the UK will endure short-term pain before recovery, blaming Conservative mismanagement. Labour faces tough decisions on spending cuts and tax reforms to address public sector needs and a significant funding gap, with political consequences looming.

2024 General Election

Three ways politicians always promise to raise money without increasing taxes – and why they rarely deliver

— Both Labour and Conservative parties exaggerate their opponents’ plans, relying on uncertain income streams for funding. Their common strategies include tax evasion crackdowns, efficiency savings, and welfare cuts, often proving difficult to implement and yielding less than expected.

2024 General Election

How Sunak came up with disputed Labour tax figures – and what’s wrong with them

— In the first televised debate, Rishi Sunak claimed every working family would pay £2,000 more in tax under Labour. This figure, based on dubious Conservative calculations, has been widely discredited.

Budget 2024

Budget 2024: What to expect from Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election tax giveaway

— Jeremy Hunt faces challenges in delivering tax cuts before the election due to a weak economy and a reduced budget deficit. The political impact remains uncertain. Can the chancellor move the dial on the Tories’ grim polling?

UK Politics

Autumn statement: What to expect, what they’re not saying, and the traps for Labour

— The budget aims to address the Tories’ economic strategy and the cost of living crisis ahead of the general election. Given the challenging economic outlook, the budget may include tax cuts and measures to boost growth, but challenges like inconsistent policies and pressure to cut benefits persist.