Policy Analysis

The Eurozone inflation figures for February have proven to be a “negative surprise” in the words of European Central Bank Vice President Luis de Guindos. Released on the 2nd of March, they show that overall inflation rose to 5.8% in February, up from 5.1% the prior month. Most forecasts had pegged the level between 5.4…

On Thursday 3 February, the UK government energy regulator OFGEM revised the UK domestic energy price cap, increasing the limit by 693 GBP – a 54% rise – for 22 million customers. This article will look at the underlying causes of the price rise, and evaluate some of the impacts both to consumers and wider…

The minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s meeting, on the 14-15 December 2022, suggest that the Federal Reserve will turn to a balance sheet runoff, as well as interest rate rises. These moves suggest an intention to help curb inflationary pressure caused in part by low unemployment and a tight labour market. A balance…

The discussion around vaccine mandates has become more prominent in recent months, as countries attempt to overcome lagging first dose uptake and new waves, whilst seeking a ‘return to normal’. Despite rapid uptake amongst older age groups at the end of 2020, the same cannot be said for younger groups. Whilst the UAE is approximately…

On Tuesday 30th November 2021, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed a loosening of the current 0.75% fee cap on Defined Contribution pensions. He is proposing this to direct some of the capital within UK pension funds into growth areas such as venture capital & private equity (VC & PE), whose fees have…

In the Triennial Forum of China-Africa Cooperation held in Senegal in November 2021, President Xi of China had indicated that he would reduce investment by a third to $40 billion on infrastructure projects and instead focus on green projects and private investment flows. The reduction in investment is likely due to the increasing inability of…

President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the US, along with a handful of other countries, would release 50 million barrels of crude oil in an attempt to halt rising inflation and lower petrol prices.  The 50 million barrels would come out of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a stockpile of oil intended for use…

When Joe Biden was running as the Democrat nominee for President, he promised a massive spending bill that aimed at expanding social services and investing in climate change initiatives. However, in an effort at compromise and to secure the required votes to pass, the bill has been streamlined. Despite the reduction, it is still historic…

In recent weeks, UK Treasury officials have been scouting northern cities such as Newcastle, Leeds and Darlington to select a location to host a ‘new northern economic campus’ that will house 800 Treasury employees. This is part of a broader scheme to shift 22000 central government jobs from London in order to tackle regional inequalities…