Misleading

This is what we now know: What can we conclude from this? Politics, not economics, is driving policy. And with the prime minister and Chancellor intertwined into a weak, reactive position as they attempt to shore themselves up, they will continue to make decisions that roil the market rather than placate it.   The day of …

Reeves Trussed Up

The Chancellor is in a mess. Although the Budget cleared the immediate hurdles of pleasing the left of her party whilst not frightening financial markets, the conduct of the process itself is in the spotlight. Who knew what and when is not just a parlour game for lobby journalists. Financial markets rely on information to …

The UK Budget Process

But the damage it is doing to them politically will certainly hasten their departures. 

The Two Weeks That Will Be (16th November 2025)

1. The UKThere is still one more forecast round to come from the OBR ahead of the Budget itself on Wednesday 26 November, meaning that there is a further interminable wait until Friday 21 November to assess whether the politically more palatable “smorgasbord” approach without income tax hikes really does mean the Chancellor meets her fiscal rules. If not, then …

The Two Weeks That Will Be (19th October 2025)

1. The FedThe Fed will cut rates by 25bp on Wednesday 29th October with a number of wannabe-governor dissenters voting for even larger cuts. The doves are in the driving seat, with FOMC members getting themselves into knots trying to describe how tariffs create inflation persistence whilst a weakening jobs market requires less restrictive policy. Fed Kashkari tortuously summarised the …