Author Archives: johnredwood

           The revised GDP figures have attracted headlines because the downturn was slightly worse than the first calculation. There has been far less reporting of the fact that government spending added a positive  1.6% to the figures, an annualised 1.8%, reinforcing the view set out here that real public spending in total has been [...]

                Reluctantly and later than the other main participants the Bank of England has agreed to a review of its conduct during the recent banking crisis, Credit Crunch and recession. There is plenty of material for it to sift through, and plenty of issues for it to handle.                 I will be setting out [...]

            The latest wet drought has highlighted the imperfections of our water industry, with its heavy regulations and government protected regional near monopolies. It takes some kind of genius to be short of water in an island famed for its heavy rainfall in many parts.  It shows a lack of self awareness to be [...]

      I have been asking questions of departments to see how they are getting on with their plans to cut the government overhead.      So far I have only had two replies. The Overseas Aid Department tells me they have increased their staff from 2357 in 2010 to 2512 now, a net increase of [...]

                 After fifteen years of dithering about nuclear energy policy we learned yesterday that the UK can carry on running its existing fleet of nuclear power stations for longer. The safety case will be examined reactor by reactor, but the mood is to lengthen their lives yet again. It’s certainly a cheap and immediate [...]

               We read of a row between Vince Cable and George Osborne over the ideas in the Beecroft Report. Yesterday the government at last published the document, and told us they are getting on with implementing 17 of the 23 proposals, and are consulting on the  others.   The Department putting them into place and [...]

             BBC’s Analysis revisted the issue of Greece leaving the Euro zone last night. It was a topical and sensible decision to make such a programme. It is just a pity it was so poorly researched, offering so much time to people who think the exit of Greece is both illegal and likely to prove [...]