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Economics & Social Policy Blogs
The Spring forecast – better news but still too pessimistic
Policy Exchange’s head of economics Warwick Lightfoot – former Special Adviser to three Chancellors – argues the Spring Statement was slightly more positive than the forecast published at the time of the November Budget last year, but remains too pessimistic about the future course of the economy.
The Spring Statement: a brighter economic picture that should in future be more clearly presented
Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Warwick Lightfoot looks ahead to improving economic conditions but makes a plea for clearer documents with which the public can engage.
UK economy doing well – but there’s little spare capacity
Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics and former Special Adviser to three chancellors – Warwick Lightfoot – assesses new economic data and finds the UK economy in good health. But with a warning, too.
The EU’s own report confirms that the Irish Border issue can be resolved with technology – does this expose other motivations in Dublin and Brussels?
Dr Graham Gudgin – himself a former special adviser to the First Minister of Northern Ireland – finds that the EU’s own research group has identified technological solutions to avoid a ‘hard border’, raising questions about Dublin and Brussels’ intransigence on this issue.
Democracy and Brexit
Reflecting on the Foreign Secretary’s speech at Policy Exchange last week, Director of Research and Strategy Rupert Oldham-Reid summarises the speech.
Britain should unilaterally drop tariffs and become a champion of free trade
Today the Foreign Secretary gave a major speech at Policy Exchange – the first in a series by UK Ministers setting out the Government’s vision for Britain after Brexit. Our advice is simple – Britain should unilaterally drop tariffs and become a champion of free trade. This message has important, progressive consequences and is contained in Policy Exchange’s latest report.
The national interest is best served by an open debate on the impact of Brexit – not spurious comparisons
Dr Graham Gudgin – Policy Exchange’s Chief Economic Adviser – questions the use of emotive language by former civil servants when attacking those who question Treasury forecasting. Graham argues there is a place for legitimate scrutiny of forecasts which have proven inaccurate in the past.
An outlook for the UK economy – brighter than some would think
At the beginning of 2018, Policy Exchange economists Warwick Lightfoot and Mike Taylor offer some thoughts on the UK’s economic performance for the next 12 months.
Britain, her balance of payments, and the benefits of a flexible exchange rate and open economy
Policy Exchange’s Head of Economics – and former Special Adviser to three chancellors – Warwick Lightfoot highlights new analysis from the Bank of England that show the UK’s foreign investments have enabled it to withstand a deterioration in the her balance of payments. Coupled with a reduction in the exchange rate, the continuing strength of the UK’s foreign investments means she will be able to weather future economic storms and capitalise on the opportunities presented by Brexit.
Perspectives on the Irish Border and Brexit negotiations
Two of Policy Exchange’s leading experts on Irish Affairs, former Irish diplomat Ray Bassett and former Special Adviser to the First Minister of Northern Ireland Dr Graham Gudgin, evaluate the Stage 1 Brexit Agreement published last week. Although welcome progress has been made, key issues remain outstanding and have the capacity to present difficultly if not resolved.
