Blog

The new Chancellor’s speech to conference

A lot of history, not a lot of future

labour conference

john healey

budget 2026

In some ways, considering the key points of the speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, is an easy ask. Sadly…

Christian Spence

Budget 2026 announced

A half-term date for a half-term government

budget 2026

Today the government has announced that the first budget of the new Burnham administration will be delivered by John Healey MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Wednesday 28…

Christian Spence

Business Rates cuts for pubs

Fiddling whilst the rates burn

burnham

business rates

tax reform

Another day (four, if you’re counting) of the Burnham prime ministership, another cost of living announcement. We’ve removed VAT from domestic electricity, we’ve capped bus…

Christian Spence

VAT removed on domestic electricity

Where good policy and good politics collide

burnham

policy

vat

cost of living

On only the second day of his premiership, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham is already making policy announcements around the cost of living, one of his core areas of focus.…

Christian Spence

Andy Burnham to Westminster

The King of the North goes South

labour

pm

burnham

Today saw Andy Burnham, ex-Mayor of Greater Manchester, journeying south (with the ridiculous spectacle of the Sky News helicopter following his train) to be sworn in as MP…

Christian Spence

Introducing Explainers

Answering some the most common questions I tend to receive

explainers

Over the past decade and a half, I’ve given more presentations, attended roundtables, and taught classes on the various byways of economics, economic policy and financial…

Christian Spence