Hmmm... now I accept that any solution to running empty HGVs around the country might be a welcome move in #logistics... but I question whether the UK's state broadcasters should be running what amounts to a large online advert for a #software firm that has an ap to maximise space use on journeys.
It all feels a but odd; I mean is the #BBC running advertorials now?
Have a look & make your own mind up.
And Labour's stepping back from Labour-like policies continues with #RachelReeves assurance to the Telegraph that she & #KeirStarmer are ruling out any #wealthtax if they win the #election
I know they need to neuter the right-wing press, but at some point they may realise that you can only take your core bite for granted for so long....
With a commitment to 'fiscal probity' & no wealth tax, what hope have Labour of reversing the effects of a decade to #Tory wrecking?
This does not bode well!
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Mind you, Ripley has its own troubles....
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Yes, that's also the underlying logic of nostr:npub1dg36nmxp88c5fntkckz8q6el3576vtl6e30u4rht8zkzk20u7jhskyudnr recent analysis of #inflation in the UK... the fiscal lever have been disabled by the political actions of the Tories
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Yup & then by the time its sort of fixed, the #Tories will be yelling about freedom & the nanny state again before trying to wreck the economy again... and so the cycle will continue
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Apologies - I keep on doing that - I'll edit right now... I know it annoys people but its typing muscle memory (in my defence)
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Yes, the general desire to make ourselves an unregulated playground for international #corporations is certainly the bigger issue.... of which the Indian trade deal is merely one aspect...
Of course, #KemiBadenoch is a free-trade low-regulation ideology and so we should expect nothing else from her work on trade negotiations!
The UK's #inflation problem looks worse than either the US or the EU due to three issues, according to Adam Posen:
1. #wage inflation has been concentrated among the higher paid leaving much (reasonable) wage pressure in the economy;
2. #Brexit is inflationary;
3. The unpredictability & inconsistent fiscal policies of the last decade of #Tory govt. have added costs to #business & are therefore also inflationary.
conclusion: inflation is here to stay for some time!
The distinction between a worker & employee isn't just a Q. of language, but as a legal issue, as Kenan Malik makes very clear, its crucial for understanding the legal rights that accrue (or often don't) to #workers in the UK.
This issue of 'single status' is not a Q. limited to the #gigeconomy, but is increasingly used as a distinction that dilutes or robs people of employment rights to the advantage of the employer!
Labour need to recall what its name actually means!
Its clear that #education in the UK is in a multifaceted crisis, ranging from staff-overload to pupil non-attendance, from regionally unequal resources to the shadow of the #pandemic... but what remains constant is the #tories inability (and unwillingness) to actually to do anything about it.
As long as their children's #privateschools continue to prosper the Govt. is effectively ambivalent about the rest of the country's school kids;
its a national disgrace!
#GTTO
I see that #RishiSunak is worried that people might draw the conclusion the the potential #India-UK trade deal which might significantly benefit #InfoSys - you'll recall Mrs Sunak is a major shareholder in the firm - indicates that he has a conflict of interest...
No, we don't think there is a conflict of interest, its already clear that he & his #Tory chums are running the country in their interest - there's no 'conflict', more an even more obvious illustration of #ToryCorruption, that's all!
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well lets hops so.... because otherwise Player Piano beckons
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Aha, of course....
Although, some of it would have been obtained by (quasi) legitimate means, other aspects (Benin Bronzes being a prime example) we obtained by much more dubious methods....
see (for instance) Dan Hicks, The Brutish Muesums
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Yup, Cameron is certainly among the chief villains of this piece...
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Yes, this is the sort of analysis that lies behind the observation that UK #businesses have often done better in the medium term under centrist & left-of-centre Govts.
nostr:npub1g0tuf634rz4suczwj7kgnecr6cyt0eu9xmp3sp0fku68mqehq4msp3tvm4 Except when it comes to basic research, Iām not a fan of supply-side support by governments. It inevitably seems to lead to corruption and distortion of the market. Far better to provide appropriate demand-side grants, and let the market decide how best to allocate the money. But maybe others can challenge my prejudice?
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I think there's a lot resting here on what you man by 'let the market decide'; this could push us towards targeted tax relief(s) which (as has been shown again & again) are very easy to game.... the idea of direct support is that the Govt. can (and should) direct investment towards key areas;
but Mazzacuto's original point was the Govt. should operate like #VentureCapitalists & not put all their eggs in one basket & expect/allow some failures of investments; so, here the market decides
Here's my contribution to #TuneTuesday #MagicSongs
Peggy Lee - Fever
still makes the hairs on tieback of my neck stand....
enjoy nostr:npub1t3raw53wsc47582dlppuf5c3vnr3jx2sha9le6pwm9356u3m5gts0z6knd
#Shelter's research suggests that over half of #workers in rental properties are only one payday away from falling into arrears & risking eviction....
The #insecurity of the poor is not some bug in the system, its a feature of the UK exploitative, rentier #capitalism that is structured around an insecure workforce in a weak bargaining position, so allowing the maintenance of #profits
[see also: the BoE's #interestrates policy (earlier post)]
#ONS research suggests that core #inflation in the UK is declining, which either suggests that the BoE's #interestrates policy is working or the real drivers of inflation in the UK are easing;
So, it will be interesting to see what the BoE does next... if they do not pause interest rate rises (or even reverse the rises) then we can safely say they're not really interested in inflation, but rather are seeking to discipline #workers while #profits are protected.
Watch & make your own judgment!
Following on from the post on the #German & UK GDP/growth comparison, interestingly in GDP per capita terms, in 2021:
the IMF estimated German GDP/Capita at $51,383 (ranked 19th in the world);
the UK's was $46,371 (ranked 22nd).
So while our growth looks relatively the same, the Germans (on a GDP per capita basis) are around 10% richer....
Aha, you say, what about #inequality?
the World Bank figures for 2016/17 are:
UK; .35
Germany. 32
not much in it by Germany slightly less unequal!