IFS applauds Chancellor's hat-trick

Article Abstract:

Changes in personal taxation and excise duties in UK Chancellor Gordon Brown's 1999 Budget will benefit many more people than they negatively affect, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). It is likely that Brown will continue to ensure that the current budget balances over the business cycle and that borrowing is sufficiently low to keep government debt stable. However, the IFS has expressed reservations about Brown's initiatives to boost enterprise, stating that their impact is likely to be insignificant.

United Kingdom, Public Finance Activities, Government domestic functions, Legislative Bodies, Fiscal Policy, Budget, National Government Expenditures, Public expenditures

---

An uphill struggle for the Chancellor

Article Abstract:

UK Chancellor Gordon Brown aims to raise the country's level of productivity, and also wishes to deal with the serious problems of income inequality, poverty and withdrawal from work. It will prove very challenging to meet these targets at a time when the economy will inevitably begin a downturn. The government is adopting appropriate policies, such as increasing the incomes of the poorest, but it would be wrong to expect any positive results in the near future.

---

Flexibility or credibility - that's the monetary policy question

Article Abstract:

UK politicians cannot resist the temptation to constantly make changes to economic policy, which they see as 'fine-tuning.' This means that the country's economy will continue to perform badly, with inflation at higher than average levels and growth being very variable. In certain circumstances, it is wise for the government to react flexibly to changes in the pace of economic growth, but in general this simply leads to steadily rising inflation.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: No peace plan, no more troops. A battle for dignity amid the guns
• Abstracts: Blair's chance to lead in Europe. Blair's deafening silence on the euro
• Abstracts: A much meaner tribe. Do women deserve the vote? Women like Us don't vote Labour
• Abstracts: Go early, go negative. Blair keeps his options open - in the national interest, of course
• Abstracts: Ruined by a lie, not a lifestyle. Dear John, the weather's fine and the Chianti is good. Why are people worrying about where I go on holiday?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.