Suchergebnisse

This is apparently the question on the lips of Treasury mandarins, according to a leaked document. Naturally, this has raised hackles across the political spectrum, with commenters aghast at proposals for renewed cutbacks to the public sector alongside mooted tax rises.

Basic income schemes are frequently derided as being unaffordable[1]. In order to assess the theoretical validity of this claim, it is necessary to elucidate how a basic income differs from most existing social protection schemes. Social protection (often colloquially labelled "benefits" in the UK, or "welfare" in the USA[2]) as currently implemented across the world has one defining feature: conditionality.

The Brexit vote proved a profound shock to the political system, with "Remainers" and "Leavers" alike expecting a 'Remain' victory[1]. Although initial research focussed on the so-called "left behind"[2], it quickly became clear that focussing solely on the characteristics of individuals was missing an important element.

Centre for Brexit Studies Researcher David Hearne has shared his thoughts and views on coronavirus (COVID-19) and if we can expect lockdown to be extended this week.

Or, more specifically, what can be done by government? I've spokenpreviously on this blogabout the ways in which government is fundamentally different to a household. However, the current crisis is very different to a normal recession (and Brexit is totally different again).

It is my profound hope that the current Covid-19 crisis will allow us all to step back and take some of the heat and anger out of the Brexit debate. After all, it is hard to remain angry about apolitical phenomenon –however strong one's beliefs –when you're concerned for the lives of loved ones.

Centre for Brexit Studies Researcher David Hearne has shared his thoughts and views on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and if the British Government are doing enough for businesses and those impacted by the virus.

However, we need to consider what is to happen beyond 1stJanuary. The prudent prepare. That is true in business, but it should also be true for governments. The most effective businesses are agile, but a significant portion of that agility stems from the fact that they are well prepared. Of course, there are some things that nobody can foresee: I would have laughed had you told me 12 months ago that 2020 would be dominated not by Brexit but by a global pandemic.

Fish, it seems, are significant in determining the final outcome of the free trade negotiations taking place between the representatives of the UK government led by David Frost, known by some wags in Brussels as 'Frosty the No-man' and the representing the 27 EU members led by Michel Barnier.

Tuesday's admission in the House of Commons by Brandon Lewis –the secretary of state for Northern Ireland –that the government was actively intending to bring forward legislation that it knew would break international law was remarkable. Lewis, of course, was in an invidious position.

It was always going to be impossible to avoid blogging about the Internal Market Bill this week. I believe that was always the government's intention. Notthisblog specifically, but rather to precipitate a reaction.

So, on Friday night our 6-month-oldspiked a mild temperature –38 ̊C, to be precise –which is hardly sky-high for an infant. As can be imagined, having a poorly baby is hardly the most restful of experiences and his mother and I are a little down on sleep! It is highly unlikely that this is Covid-19, but out of an abundance of caution, the entire family are now "self-isolating" for 2 weeks in line with government recommendations.

The term "Brexit" now carries with it enormous emotional baggage. That's certainly true for those of us who are directly affected by it. However, it's also true for many across Europe. I have on more than one occasion come across the view that the UK (or, more pertinently, England) should be treated as hostile.

"The problem is, I just don't likeanyof them", was my dad's emphatic response when I asked him about the election. I don't think he's unusual in his antipathy to the current leadership of the UK's political parties. The present Conservative leader, Boris Johnson, is widely regarded as an inveterate liar and thoroughly untrustworthy. Jeremy Corbyn –the leader of the Labour Party –is seen as a throwback to 1970s-style socialism, certainly by many older voters. Meanwhile, Jo Swinson, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, is seen as a political opportunist with few principles.

Let us be clear, whoever wins this election Brexit will not be "done" any time soon. All claims that somehow Brexit can "get done" are fundamentally spurious. This is not a contentious statement to make: it follows inexorably from the structure of negotiations and what both sides see as their "red lines".