There will be a lot of people – including our very own Jim Hancock – who have analysed the budget, in an effort to predict whether it will be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for the economy. Only time will tell on that. However, what is indisputable, is that the whole budget process- the leaks, the circus, the created drama – is well past its sell-by date. There must be a better way.
Downtown in Business has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to deliver a bold Budget that unlocks Birmingham’s growth potential — calling on her to match the ambition of the West Midlands mayor Richard Parker’s growth plans that were unveiled in Westminster at a special Parliamentary Reception hosted by Downtown in Business earlier this year.
Up for discussion this week is the BBC’s latest crisis, Deputy Prime Minsister David Lammy’s PMQ’s appearance, Rachel Reeves’ pre budget scene setter speech and are there any point in COPs?
Jim thinks the late budget on Nov 26th will be bad for business. He also comments on the crisis facing Angela Rayner and the radical new leader of the Green Party.
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna explains why a Wealth Tax would be a disaster for Growth—and leave the Treasury worse off.
Rachel Reeves announced her long awaited Spending Review last Wednesday and the DIB podcast team reflect about what that might do in terms of Labour’s polling fortunes.
The Chancellor has invested billions in the infrastructure of the future
UK economy. However Jim thinks with the strong likelyhood of more tax
increases, the government could pay a heavy short term price.
The group chair and chief executive of Downtown in Business, Frank McKenna, has broadly welcomed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review announcement this week- but has said that the government now needs to crack on with radical planning reforms, a transformation of the welfare system, and investment into the skills agenda if it is to deliver on its ambition for economic growth
Rachel Reeves is getting ready to announce her much anticipated spending review- but apparently all is not well with some of her Labour colleagues.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a record £15.6 billion investment in local transport projects across England’s city regions, aiming to boost economic growth and improve daily life for working people across the North, Midlands, and South West.
Despite another panning for Rachel Reeves from left and right this week, Frank McKenna explains why the second part of 2025 may be more positive for the chancellor and UK Plc.
