It’s not just taxes, rent, childcare and a decrepit NHS are driving talent out of the UK August 1, 2024 High taxes are a problem, but the list of factors driving talent away from the UK is far more extensive, writes John Oxley One of the first criticisms levelled at Labour’s intended tax rises is their potential to drive high-productivity workers away from the UK. It is a fair one. In a world where capital [...]
The Debate: Are ultra-processed foods driving obesity? August 1, 2024 Morning Wire’s weekly feature takes the fiercest water-cooler debates and pits two candidates head to head before delivering The Judge’s ultimate verdict. Ultra-processed food (UPF) has become a hot topic in the last couple of years, referring to mass-produced food such as cereal, fizzy drinks, ice cream and bread. If it has additives or preservatives [...]
The Olympics are about building a better world, not just muscles August 1, 2024 There’s more to the Olympics than “faster higher, stronger” – they inspire generations to create a more tolerant, inclusive society, says Matt Hardy The Olympic Games are more than sport and ego; they are an appreciation of dedication, patriotism and the highs and lows of humankind. Already we have seen the sheer jubilation of Adam [...]
Raising capital gains tax would be a big mistake August 1, 2024 Morning Wire’s consistent warning that the government will raise taxes in their first Budget have been vindicated. Rachel Reeves admitted that “I think we will have to increase taxes” to the News Agents podcast. Labour will no doubt rebut accusations that this is a violation of their election pledges with references to their weaselly caveat [...]
Let’s be honest, China’s economy is suffocating under President Xi August 1, 2024 President Xi’s protectionist policies and hostility to foreign investors mean China is no longer the country to bet on for growth – and that’s a lesson for the West too, says Matthew Lesh Prior to entering government, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Conservatives’ approach to China was excessively confrontational and inconsistent. He reportedly now [...]
The Notebook: If Reeves wants the City onside, she must be clear on her vision July 31, 2024 Where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today, it’s Lucy McNulty, editor of the Following the Rules podcast, with the pen, talking Treasury-City relations, buy now, pay later, and her pick of the podcasts The City needs a clear vision The decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to create a Treasury unit focused on [...]
Higher windfall taxes will be the death of investment in the North Sea July 31, 2024 Introducing Norway-level taxes without the accompanying investment incentives proves Labour’s energy policy is driven by ideology – not security, says Andy Mayer The day before the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves sounded the death knell for Britain’s North Sea oil industry and put up to 200,000 workers on notice the ‘I’ newspaper led with the headline “Starfish and other seabed species [...]
Labour will drive away wealth creators July 31, 2024 Labour have talked a good game on growth, but all their early actions seem precision calculated to deter investors, says James Price I’m not sure if Rachel Reeves is a fan of musical theatre, but going into her economic statement on Monday, she would have done well to heed the words of George Washington in [...]
Crawling back to the EU after Brexit will only end badly for Britain July 31, 2024 The new government is seeking closer ties to the EU, but Brussels will not be kind to a prodigal son, writes Paul Ormerod Clear signals are being emitted by Keir Starmer’s government on the European Union (EU). A much closer relationship is being sought on a wide range of issues such as trade and defence. [...]
The real ‘black hole’ in the public finances is the debt July 31, 2024 The Chancellor is right, the public deserve to know just how bad the economy is – so she should be honest about the millions of pounds a day that are added to the national debt, says John O’Connell Reeves’ tone was one of righteous fury on Monday as she bellowed at the opposite benches for [...]