Following the headline grabbing move to increase the top rate of taxation to 50%, much of the budget analysis has focussed on the “soak the rich” approach the government appears to have adopted. But aside from the harm being done to UK competitiveness through this tax, and the question of whether or not it will raise the £2.4 billion the government claims, it is also a fascinating retreat on...

Read more: A Retreat from Simpler Taxes

A fascinating idea has popped up in the world of economic blogs – negative interest rates. Anyone who has studied economics at any level will know the doctrine that a central bank cannot cut nominal interest rates below zero. This is the case even when the optimal level, according to the Taylor-rule (or equivalent rule), is negative.

For the USA, a recent report put that optimal rate...

Read more: Negative Interest Rates - Maybe Not Such a Negative Idea?

Remembering how explosive the issue of fuel prices was in 2001, fuel duty could be back on the agenda in the run-up to the election. Petrol and diesel prices remain high thanks to punitive fuel duty – with a further 3p rise in petrol duty expected to be announced in the budget.

But how sensible is a tax on fuel?

Read more: Should we be taxing fuel?

Last night Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, delivered a thoughtful and considered speech on the equality agenda and the recession here at the CPS.

He gave strong grounds to push ahead with the Equality Bill that will significantly simplify and consolidate the reams of existing legislation, thus reducing the burden on businesses struggling to comply with over 100 current acts and...

Read more: The Equality Bill: Unequal and Unhelpful to the Economy