Inflation always goes away https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/05/01/inflation-always-goes-away/. If the Bank of England were to be believed the only reason inflation has gone away is because they have taken action to control it. But data since 1200 (that's 800+ years ago) shows that after a bout of inflation, prices always either fall or the rate of inflation at least returns to normal. And for most of that period, no central bank did anything to control inflation. So why should we believe what the Bank of England is saying now?
What if Labour win? https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/05/01/what-if-labour-win/. Labour’s only plan is to win the election. But, if it does so with a big majority, as expected, that is exactly when its problems will begin, and when left-of-centre ideas will be needed to get it out of the mess it might be in.
Why monopolies are harmful https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/04/30/why-monopolies-are-harmful/. Monopolies exist when one or a very few companies or organizations control a market and can exploit consumers as a result. The modern economy is riddled with monopolies, many of which are very powerful. Until governments are willing to stand up to them we are all at risk of being ripped off.
@RichardJMurphy I read this as the debt management office saying Thames Water should be nationalised now to prevent loss of confidence. Aren't they saying nationalisation is the solution not the problem?
Tax does not pay for government spending https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/04/29/tax-does-not-pay-for-government-spending/. Probably the biggest challenge to understanding how the economics of governments really works comes from the need to understand that governments of the sort we have in the UK are not funded by taxes. They are funded by central bank money creation. Tax exists to control inflation. Until it's appreciated that spending creates taxation and not that tax funds spending, nothing else about how the government works makes sense.
@RichardJMurphy Nice and simple. But another function of taxation is to reduce inequality, otherwise all the money circulating in the economy would accrue to the rich, which is what is happening now, leaving the majority poorer.
Labour says it is going to nationalise Brtain's railways Its plans make sense - as far as they go. But, like so much that it does, this plan does not go far enough. It should also be nationalising the supply of future rolling stock for our railways - and be building more of that; rolling stock now if we are to have the system that we really need and can afford. https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/04/27/labours-plan-for-rail-nationalisation-make-sense-but-do-not-go-far-enough/
Politicked out https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/04/27/politicked-out/ This does not feel like a period of anticipation. It feels much more like a period of dulled silence whilst we await the arrival of yet another government whose only aim is to disappoint, shackled as it is by its dedication to everything that has failed for at least forty years.
Scotland’s political problem https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2024/04/26/scotlands-political-problem/. The Scottish government is in turmoil, but that is precisely because it does not have the power to govern that it should enjoy. The issue the SNP must address is admitting that it might like to say it is in charge, but is so with both hands tied behind its back by Westminster.