Thursday, 13 October 2016

Conservative Economic Policy Revised



Chancellor Philip Hammond is planning  a major shift  on economic policy as the government embraces a more interventionist approach with increased spending on infrastructure projects.
The chancellor is expected to herald a move towards a greater focus on fiscal policy - tax and spending - in his Autumn Statement on 23 November.
The move towards a more Keynesian approach towards the economy will mark a departure from Mrs May's predecessor George Osborne's reliance on what he called "monetary activism". This covered interest rates and the purchase of assets by the Bank of England known as quantitative easing.
The PM said ultra low interest rates had produced "bad side effects", notably by hitting savers.

'Listen to the roar'

PM believes that in future it would be wise to lean in favour of tax and spending to allow for greater public investment.

"Those with assets have done very much better than those without. We have to listen to the roar we heard this year and we have to think with money available at 0% - and we want to drive an industrial strategy, getting infrastructure built - we need to make sure we are looking at all the mechanisms for making that money flows properly."
He confirmed Downing Street still supports the Bank of England's independence which means it has sole control over monetary policy and it will face no restrictions on the setting of interest rates.
Mrs May believes a new approach is needed for two reasons. In the first place she believes that a new economic era, as the government relaxes Mr Osborne's deficit reduction plan in light of the EU referendum, requires a fresh approach to economic management.
But she also believes that the government needs to do more to help lower income groups. She thinks low interest rates have helped people with assets but have hit those who rely on savings.
 "People with assets have got richer. People without them have suffered. People with mortgages have found their debts cheaper. People with savings have found themselves poorer."

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