Budget Delay Bad for the Economy
04/09/2025
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.
A Wealth Tax Would Kill Enterprise – and Bring LESS Cash Into the Treasury
31/07/2025
In his latest blog, Frank McKenna explains why a Wealth Tax would be a disaster for Growth—and leave the Treasury worse off.
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP.94 | Budgeting for Better Days?
19/06/2025
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.
Cruel Summer of Tax Speculation
12/06/2025
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.
DIB Boss Welcomes Chancellor’s Spending Pledges – But Warns There is More To Do
12/06/2025
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
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP.92 | Reeves’ Budget Blues
10/06/2025
Rachel Reeves is getting ready to announce her much anticipated spending review- but apparently all is not well with some of her Labour colleagues.
Levelling Up in Motion: Chancellor’s £15.6bn Regional Transport Push
04/06/2025
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.
Things can (still) only get better?
27/03/2025
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.
Time is not on Labour’s side
06/02/2025
Labour may only be six-months into government – but they’re running out of time already.
Southern Powerhouse?
30/01/2025
Jim worries that the Chancellor is relying on the south of England too much in her dash for growth.
DIB Boss urges government to step up its efforts to reset EU relationship
30/01/2025
The group chairman and chief executive of Downtown in Business, is urging the government to go faster with its efforts to reset trading relationships with the European Union.
The Downtown Den Politics Podcast | EP.71 | 20 January 2025
21/01/2025
The only show in town today really is Donald Trump’s inauguration. What will the orange one second coming as U.S. President mean for the UK, Europe and the world?