Incisive and topical campaigns and commentary on today’s issues and tomorrow’s problems
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My interventions in the North Ireland Protocol Committee (Day 2) debate
Rt Hon Sir John Redwood MP (Wokingham) (Con): Will the Financial Secretary confirm that the Treasury will never use the argument that we must not press ahead with the very necessary VAT cut on energy in the cost of living crisis because we cannot apply it in Northern Ireland? It could...Read More »
My contribution in the Northern Ireland Protocol Committee (Day 2) debate
Rt Hon Sir John Redwood MP (Wokingham) (Con): I welcome the notion of measures that restore our control over VAT and subsidies in Northern Ireland. It is entirely within the spirit and the text of the protocol, which says that both parties will respect the internal market of the United...Read More »
Some funny numbers from the Treasury and OBR
The OBR has had to explain why it was so far out in its forecasts of the deficit and borrowings last year. They have written:
“Our latest forecast for ( Central government borrowing) 2021-2 is £48.3bn below the October forecast and £131.2bn below our March 2021 forecast (the Budget)” They accept...Read More »
Then there were two
I am delighted Liz Truss will be in the final with Rishi Sunak. I want a change of economic policy as readers of this site will know. Liz Truss will give us that change. Rishi has accepted Treasury and Bank advice which has given us a high inflation and if...Read More »
Soaring spending and borrowing since 1991
I was sent this recently. I have not checked all the figures but thought it worth reproducing:
According to the ONS, in 1991, public sector employment was 5.985 million.
Now it is 5.76 million.
There has been plenty of outsourcing and contracting out over this period.
In 1991, public spending was 180 billion pounds....Read More »