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Oct 30, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Linda Yueh |Karen Bloor |Phil Tomlinson |Rachel Scarfe |Shampa Roy-Mukherjee
For the first time in 14 years, it was a Labour chancellor who delivered the UK budget. And for the first time ever, that chancellor was a woman. But Rachel Reeves faces an almighty task: plugging a £40 billion spending gap in the knowledge that pre-election promises not to raise the main taxes are still fresh in people’s memories. Growth was the buzzword of the election campaign – Reeves now had to lay her cards on the table.
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Oct 29, 2024 | 
theleaduk.substack.com | Phil Tomlinson
After weeks of speculation, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has finally confirmed there will be changes to the Treasury’s “fiscal rules” in the budget to facilitate new public investment. The changes to the fiscal rules relate to the way that public debt is calculated. Currently, the fiscal rules use public sector net debt, which measures the total amount of past government borrowing and comes to around £2.5tn.
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Oct 17, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |David Bailey |Michael Lewis
The UK government’s plan to create a new industrial strategy is a welcome attempt to steer Britain’s economy through the challenges of the 21st century. Amid a backdrop of , a clear focus on achieving growth is essential. The plan is at an early stage. The new green paper marks the beginning of a consultation process designed to shape future government policy. But creating an industrial strategy in the first place – to coordinate a wide range of economic policies – is commendable.
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Oct 12, 2024 | 
thesun.ie | Phil Tomlinson |Henry Tomlinson
MATTY JONES promised a review into the admin blunder that saw SIX Wales Under-21 players ruled out of their Euro qualifier with the Czech Republic. A paperwork error meant only those registered to face Iceland last month could take to the field. That meant the likes of Owen Beck and Rubin Colwill were made unavailable just hours before Friday’s costly 2-1 defeat. Wales now need the Czechs to fail to beat Lithuania on Tuesday to secure a play-off place for next summer’s finals.
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Sep 23, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |David Bailey
The recent announcement that Grangemouth oil refinery in central Scotland will close next year marks a notable moment in the energy transition towards net zero. As countries strive to meet climate targets and reduce their use of fossil fuels, the tensions between preserving jobs in “dirty” industries and creating new “green” jobs are becoming increasingly stark.
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Sep 19, 2024 | 
ca.finance.yahoo.com | Phil Tomlinson |Michael Lewis
At first glance, a £500 million government investment into a critical industry looks like a move designed to inspire confidence. But the large sum will provide little comfort to the 2,500 people expected to lose their jobs as Tata Steel close the UK’s last blast furnace at Port Talbot in south Wales. And nor is it enough to guarantee the long-term future of British steel making. But it will make it greener.
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Sep 19, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |Michael Lewis
At first glance, a £500 million government investment into a critical industry looks like a move designed to inspire confidence. But the large sum will provide little comfort to the 2,500 people expected to lose their jobs as Tata Steel close the UK’s last blast furnace at Port Talbot in south Wales. And nor is it enough to guarantee the long-term future of British steel making. But it will make it greener.
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Jul 23, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |David Bailey
The last few years have been troubling for the British steel industry. High energy costs, a wave of cheap Chinese imports, plant closures, the COVID pandemic and financial struggles have all taken their toll. Steel is a high energy user and significant carbon emitter. Coal-fired blast furnaces exceed temperatures of 2,000°C and the industry is responsible for around 2% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The sector faces the challenges of transitioning to greener and more cost-efficient production.
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Jul 17, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Alex Nurse |Anupam Nanda |Chia-Lin Chen |Christine Huebner |Colin Nolden |Graham Haughton | +8 more
The king’s speech has been delivered, marking the state opening of parliament (technically, this was the first king’s speech with a Labour government in 74 years). The speech was written by Keir Starmer’s government, not the king, and lays out the government’s agenda for the coming year. The Conversation’s academic experts break down the key policies, from planning reform to votes at 16.
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Jul 17, 2024 | 
theconversation.com | Alex Nurse |Colin Nolden |Jane Parry |Phil Tomlinson
The king’s speech has been delivered, marking the state opening of parliament (technically, this was the first king’s speech with a Labour government in 74 years). The speech was written by Keir Starmer’s government, not the king, and lays out the government’s agenda for the coming year. Check back here throughout the day as The Conversation’s academic experts break down the key policies, from planning reform to votes at 16.
