The UK Prime Minister may have the regal touch in northern England, but he’s been wrong-footed on the constitutional challenges posed by the Celtic Alliance of first ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, argues KENNY MacASKILL
THE forecasts unveiled by the Bank of England when they raised interest rates last Thursday were a stark reminder of why there is currently a strike wave taking place in this country. The forecasts themselves were truly chilling.
The Bank’s forecasters reckon that inflation is far from the peak and could run over 13 per cent. That is now close to becoming the consensus after one of the leading think tanks had previously forecast price rises peaking at 15 per cent. The Bank also believes inflation will be above the current level of 9 per cent this time next year.
At the same time, it now predicts a prolonged recession. On this analysis the slump is set to last more than three years and unemployment will rise to well over 6 per cent before the end of 2025.
A sharp rise in public-sector investment is required to kick-start the economy, argues MICHAEL BURKE
Only an ambitious programme of state-led investment can restore growth and improve living standards, argues MICHAEL BURKE
The 2025 Budget shores up the PM’s political position with headline-grabbing welfare U-turns, but with no improvements on offer to declining public services or living standards, writes MICHAEL BURKE


