Author Archives: Jonathan Portes
Economists usually worry about bailing out private firms and increasing national debt. But right now, we should be doing both
In a Covid-19-induced crisis the usual rules do not apply
How can Andrew Bailey make his mark at the Bank of England?
Managing Brexit risks is necessary but not sufficient
Foreign graduates and a rare triumph for sensible immigration policy
Theresa May’s draconian visa curbs have been reversed, not a moment too soon
Twenty years on the national minimum wage is a straightforward good news story
There has been no discernible impact on employment despite early scaremongering
Spring statement: Hammond’s promise of a “deal dividend” is nothing short of absurd
It was a hollow promise from the chancellor in place of a proper strategy
Why I bet £1000 that a no-deal Brexit will trigger recession
But hardline Leavers are always hesitant to put their money where their mouth is
Nonsense economics: the rise of modern monetary theory
MMT is increasingly popular among left-wing economists. Unfortunately
it is a mixture of the tautological and the tendentious
Philip Hammond dodges the question
The main point of the budget was to avoid the real question marks looming over the UK’s economic prospects—Brexit and demographic strains
Theresa May’s C.R.A.P. Brexit
Rather than a temporary "backstop", what we’re actually looking at is a Customs and Regulatory Alignment Period
Theresa May’s latest Brexit "red line" is as foolish as the rest
The difficulties with May’s position go deeper than the fact that it will be very hard to negotiate her preferred outcome
The OECD’s economic survey was vital—but not for the reasons you’d think
Forget the short-term Brexit predictions, the crucial part of the OECD’s new report was the emphasis on domestic policy
The national debt is still soaring—but that doesn’t matter
Its insignificance is significant because it means nationalisation is affordable