Category Archives: Public Finances

Future governments face tough choices – whatever their politics

Posted on 11 June, 2012 by Rick

The CBI and IPPR published a report on the future of public services last week. It warned: Britain faces a longer-term fiscal challenge. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that by 2030 Britain will once again move into deficit … Continue reading →

Posted in Peak State, Public Finances, Public Sector, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Is Britain running out of oomph?

Posted on 1 December, 2011 by Rick

A remarkable piece over at A Fistful of Euros puts the Eurozone crisis and, by implication, our own economic woes, into the context of a generalised crisis facing all developed economies. Three things have caused this, says Edward Hugh, high levels … Continue reading →

Posted in Peak State, Public Finances, UK Economy | 6 Comments

The public debt – why it’s different this time

Posted on 20 April, 2011 by Rick

Peter Hoskin and Éoin Clarke were knocking lumps out of each other last week about whether debt and debt repayments were worse under John Major than they are now. At least they were knocking lumps out of each other with numbers and bar … Continue reading →

Posted in Peak State, Public Finances | 17 Comments

The public sector will not ‘get back to normal’

Posted on 22 March, 2011 by Rick

The Economist has a series of articles on the future of the state. The paper’s broad conclusion is that western welfare state can’t go on as it is. Its editorial describes the state spending of the 2000s as “one last splurge” … Continue reading →

Posted in Peak State, Public Finances, Public Sector, Uncategorized | 3 Comments