[Closed] Double dip recession

to say that one party is 100% with responsibilty is completely absurd

😀 That made me LOL !

Obviously I realise that you're taking the piss after claiming that your words have been "twisted", still made me laugh though 8)

I think this page and this quote from Junkyard says a lot.

I would remind you of germany which is much more Unionised than here so

In Germany the relationship between the Unions and Management is not adversarial as it is here. Union representatives sit on the board so have input before issues come to a head rather than reacting after decisions have been made.

The 'unions are satan'/'unions are saviours' discussion is a massive waste of effort.

are you saying that pushing up costs isn't likely to result in job cuts during a crisis?

[img] [/img]
In the last year alone executive pay in FTSE 100 companies grew by 49%.
chief execs must be bricking it then

Are you saying that Govt contracts went abroad because they were more expensive?

There is no middle ground with you, is there?

Plenty of people at least in the private sector have taken pay cuts and reduced hours to preserve jobs which has been remarkably successful compared to previous recessions.

Lifer its a fair comment they are not useful comparisons but to portray the unions as some sort of bogeyman who drives away business is also inaccurate – well presented without evidence so far.

Ps

Those in the UK[ strike laws] are among the most restrictive in the world. Most legal systems define a right to strike, in some cases it is enshrined in the constitution. Britain has no such positive right, only a bounded liberty the limits of which have become increasingly narrow.

ah well had my rest on with the next wheel

Junkyard - Member
THM once more you tells us how the market is reacting* this and not how the ordinary person in the street is reacting to this.

There are two consistent arguments on this thread that I am countering - (1) that the recession has been caused by Tory [b]cuts [/b]and (2) that the policy mix being pursued in the UK is [b]signicantly worse[/b] that elsewhere. This does not make me a Tory apologist nor does it mean that I agree with their policy mix - I don't. But that does stop me commenting on factual errors/BS.

The former is now not being repeated but the latter is. So the example of the FX markets is a mere illustration that, just perhaps, the second argument may also be floored. 😉 Even if you do not trust markets to ever get things right/believe that they rarely get them right, you have to be surprised that people would still want to put there money in £s when rates are negative in real terms, when are banks are still screwed and our government is geting things wrong to a much worse extent that all peers. Even this mythical "ordinary" man is capable of finding that weird!!!

We should be trying to help the majority not the rich elitists who value money above all else

True

...you will be telling me the market never gets anything wrong next and has a moral voice and conscious

Extremely unlikey - latest download off amazon is "What money can't buy - the moral limits of market" by one of my favourtie authors Michael Sandel from Harvard. Brand new book this week - I have only read 2 chapters but can certainly recommend it so far!!

We need to balance the two [ if we have capitalism] and it is not unreasonable to suggest that there may be a Plan b that would be better.

I agree that the policy mix could be balanced better. But there are also plenty of far smarter people than me eg Gavin Davies, Jeremy Warner, Roger Bootle who I have quoted earlier who think it not far off albeit unlikely to bring much joy in the short term. But it is too easy to talk about this mythical Plan B as if there is a blindingly obvious set of policies that no one has ever heard off. There are many factors that explain why the impact of many normal policy options is proving to be relatively impotent, among them the very high levels of leverage that remain throughout many areas of the economy and the fact that our major trading partners in Europe remain (broadly) in states of political and economic chaos.

And still there are apologists here for a political as opposed to economic model that prevents weak European economies from devaluing their currencies and therefore enforcing massive downward pressure on workers' earnings and/or condemning them to unemployment instead. And then on top of that condemn them further to austerity packages which cannot work. And these are people with a left-of-centre perspective?!? The Tories may be making some errors but at least they are not that stupid!

that last graph makes me proud to be French 🙂

There are two consistent arguments on this thread that I am countering - (1) that the recession has been caused by Tory cuts and (2) that the policy mix being pursued in the UK is signicantly worse that elsewhere. This does not make me a Tory apologist not does it mean that I agree with their policy mix - I don't. But that does stop me commenting on factual errors/BS.

Tory policy has create the double dip recession - this is not a factual error - this is a simple fact. UK and US and german growth was the same until the first tory budget - when we started performing worse.

Also other countries are doing significantly better because they are are creating growth we are not - why - the tory policies

Sorry THM - you are so wedded to the tory economic policy and you simply refuse to acknowledge this. No matter how you protest this you continually espose a tory economic policy .

I am not sure your view is the middle ground tbh.

well presented without evidence so far.

US reaps the rewards for making austerity wait

But the underlying point is that Washington threw caution to the wind; injected trillions of dollars into the financial system, the car industry and federal welfare programs to maintain confidence and stability. Ultimately, the Obama administration cared less about its AAA credit rating than jobs and living standards, saving austerity for a time when the economy is stronger.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics-blog/2012/apr/27/us-economy-austerity-eurozone

[img] [/img]

TJ - you will forgive me if I prefer the judgement of most professional commentators/economists etc. this week. But let's say you are right, why the hell isn't everyone fleeing from the £. I am sure you find that very odd.

Please stop personalising this (I know its hard!) and try to read where I differ from current policy. You even repeated one of my main points - the lack of investment!! Odd that - you agreeing and repeating someone who "continually espose(s) a tory economic policy" (sic) 😉

That graph looks even better/stronger second time round!!

edit for the edit: intriguing that you are fan of Paulson. This forum never fails to throw up surprises!!!

the underlying point is that Washington threw caution to the wind; injected trillions of dollars into the financial system, the car industry and federal welfare programs to maintain confidence and stability. Ultimately, the Obama administration cared less about its AAA credit rating than jobs and living standards, saving austerity for a time when the economy is stronger.

Funny thing is though TJ - have you seen the public sector employment figures in the US?

[img] [/img]

Isn't this [b]exactly[/b] what you have spent the past two years arguing against TJ?

If public employment had grown the way it did under Bush, the US have 1.3 million more government workers, and an unemployment rate under 7 percent...

Sort of shot your own fox really, haven't you TJ?

There are two consistent arguments on this thread that I am countering - (1) that the recession has been caused by Tory cuts and (2) that the policy mix being pursued in the UK is signicantly worse that elsewhere.

The former is now not being repeated but the latter is....

OK I'll repeat it then. Austerity slows down an economy and has now pushed Britain back into recession. HTH.

TJ - you will forgive me if I prefer the judgement of most professional commentators/economists etc.

Who are these economists ?........the ones who are advising Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland ?

Can anyone point out to me just why spain et al are staying in the euro. Isnt it screwing them beyond belif while germany and france do ok. 25% unemployment in Spain i heard.

THM when you talk rubbish them you will be challenged.

You said

that the policy mix being pursued in the UK is signicantly worse that elsewhere.

Not true - Hence the Guardian article that tells you the US are pursuing a different policy with different results

You say

(1) that the recession has been caused by Tory cuts

Not true - as many economists say and have been quoted and the graph I show clearly shows the failure of tory policy. They may bot have caused the recession but they certainly are prolonging it and deepening it

the US are pursuing a different policy with different results

What about the huge cut in public sector employment in the States then?

Ernie, austerity is indeed a withdrawal, exactly. Good job that these nasty Tories increased all areas of current expenditure in their first two years of office and are forecast to do the same in 2012. Austerity, God (sorry!) forbid is forecast to kick in in 2013. Then we can have that debate.

A broad range of economist from all aspects of the political spectrum including a Laobour advisor. No idea if they advised the pigs but given that one worked for Goldman Sachs perhaps they gave national accounting advice to Greece?!?

TJ I even used highlights to help you. Tory policy may be incorrect, but at least lets talk about what they have done. Cuts start in 2103. They did not cut gov current expenditure in 2010 or 2011, You have even started saying that Osborne has increased spending, so make your mind up.

Still gobsmacked that there isn't a run on the pound given all you say though. How bizarre is that! Those bloody city boys, nutters the lot of them 😉

THM for every economist you claims says the tories are right there is another who says they are wrong.

Austerity, God (sorry!) forbid is forecast to kick in in 2013. Then we can have that debate.

It's clearly kicked in now, as the economy slipping back into recession clearly suggests. I guess more than a quarter million public sector workers getting thrown out of work last year might have contributed to it.

If you lot put half as much effort in to something worthwile as you do wibbling on here, the world would be a better place.

THM for every economist you claims says the tories are right there is another who says they are wrong.

CFH - spent all day repairing paths in the pentlands.

Cuts start in 2103.

Cuts in jobs have already started - that is part of the austerity plan.

you could solve world hunger tonight...

I must admit I enjoyed "Strikes hit 20 year high" used as evidence that we have a massive ongoing problem with strikes, as opposed to being evidence that for 19 of the last 20 years, we've had very few strikes.

I enjoyed "Strikes hit 20 year high" used as evidence that we have a massive ongoing problem with strikes

CaptainFlashheart - Member
If you lot put half as much effort in to something worthwile as you do wibbling on here, the world would be a better place.

LOL!

+ 1

If [s]you lot[/s] I put half as much effort in to something worthwile as you do wibbling on here, the world would [s]be a better place[/s] buy more pens.

FTFY 😉

don simon - Member

How about strikes being part of the problem?

How about strikes being a symptom?

Regardless- I do appreciate a good statistical abuse, so cheers!

Regardless- I do appreciate a good statistical abuse, so cheers!

I like a good non-sequitor too, so this thread delivers on multiple levels. What point are you attempting to make?

I'll let you go back and show me where I said that strike hitting a 20 year high and being part of the problem is the same as...

[b]a massive ongoing problem with strikes[/b],

don simon - Member

I'll let you go back and show me where I said that strike hitting a 20 year high and being part of the problem is the same as...

a massive ongoing problem with strikes,

, shall I?

No. Instead, why don't I let you go back and show me where I said that you said that?

DING DING end of round one

😆
And with that.....

Is it still alice in wonderland on here where the tory apologists will resort to any logical contortions so they don't have to admit the tory policies are making things worse not better?

Is it still alice in wonderland on here where the tory apologists will resort to any logical contortions so they don't have to admit the tory policies are making things worse not better?

TandemJeremy - Member

Is it still alice in wonderland on here where the tory apologists will resort to any logical contortions so they don't have to admit the tory policies are making things worse not better?

How can someone votes for the same party I do not understand ... it's like letting the maggots to grow inside you then let them feast on you. Majority of politicians are twisted leeches that will drink your blood dry given the chance ...

The logic is that ...

1. Labour was in power for some time so it's time to end them regardless of whether how good they could govern. The longer they govern the more they want to turn people in zombies ... yes, they want to dictate what's good for you in their own perspectives.

2. Tory will do some good by getting people to wean off state support (those who deserve should get them) otherwise there will be more waiting to be fed ... "You've never had it so good."

3. None of them can improve on the current economy situation so nothing wrong by choose other party. What is wrong with stirring up the shite to make it smell a bit more since we are already swimming in pool of shite?

🙄

it's like letting the maggots to grow inside you then let them feast on you. Majority of politicians are twisted leeches that will drink your blood dry given the chance ...

The longer they govern the more they want to turn people in zombies

What is wrong with stirring up the shite to make it smell a bit more since we are already swimming in pool of shite?

How beautifully put, and what wonderful and poetic metaphors, have you ever considered writing children's books ?

TandemJeremy - Member
...spent all day repairing paths in the pentlands

Probably best get an early night then......

TandemJeremy - Member. THM [b]when you talk rubbish[/b] them you will be challenged.

I hope that this will continue to be the case and a measure that is applied to all posters in a non-personal way ie challenge the comments not the person. So please feel free to correct my rubbish. In the meantime, lets look at your case for the prosecution:

TandemJeremy - Member

As predicted by everyone bar tory apologists the financial incompetents now running he country have pushed us back into recession. So obvious this was going to happen. shows how incompetent they are....

So what hapened: The ONS produced and early and uncertain estimate that the economy was [b]two-thousandths smaller[/b] at the end of March than it had been at the end of December.

From a Labour party adviser:

"None the less, the significance of a double dip is more political than economic. The gap between 0.1 per cent growth and a 0.2 per cent contraction is too small to be of anything more than symbolic importance...."

From Stephanie Flanders at the BBC:

"The phrase "double-dip" recession conjures up images of roller coasters, but if the UK's[i] recovery[/i] (her words!) were a fairground ride I'd be asking for my money back.

....Economic vandalism from a bunch of idiots. The damage they have done in two years is incredible....

.....the basic fact is your beloved tories economic policies are making the situation worse...

Now vandalism is a pretty strong word, so lets see. Again Flanders, "The downward lurch in the economy in 2008-09 was certainly dramatic. [b]But for the past 18 months, the UK's national output has been broadly, and disappointingly flat[/b]."

So remind me, the Tories came into power when, and since then the Uk economy has grown/shrunk or been flat. A little clue, Ed Balls uses the word/cliche :"flatlining". Not quite economic vandalism is it. And the difference beween labour and Tory policy on spending is 0.1% of GDP. Oh, but sorry we have already accepted that Labout/Tories are broadly synonymous haven't we.

But as Labour supported Davies pointed out. "The differences between Labour and the Coalition on macro-economic policy are in any case more about rhetoric than substance..... In a way, the Government is already doing what Labour demands, to the dismay of those who thought a Tory-led administration"

....However the tory cuts causing recession

Ok, subsequently withdrawn and replaced with Osborne's spending. Fair enough.

So the reality is. There is no economic vandalism. We have an economy that is as Flanders puts it, "bumping along the bottom." At the top level we have had de nada, de rien, nothing. But what about the sectors. Check the ONS, its all there - agriculture down 20% (deafening roar on Labour and Tory agric policies), mining down by one third (ditto), construction (-5%) and manufacturing (-6%), all under Labour and the Tories. But where have we heard the noise, yes, government spending. And yet, under both governments, the government has expanded by more than 5% and "health and social care particulalry strongly." (FT)

This is not to say that the situation is not serious. It obviously is. The economy has gone nowhere since 2008 and will probably continue to do so. So in this context, it becomes even more important not to exagerate, mislead, lie, "talk rubbish" (take your pick) especially with economic data.

The Tories at the moment are guilty (to the extent that any gov really makes a difference) of an economy that is neither up, nor down but flat. As Davies puts it they have made a crucial error, "in believing that the mere act of deficit reduction would rekindle growth. This was never very likely with everyone else – households, banks and major export markets in the eurozone and beyond – [b]all deleveraging at one and the same time. [/b]But this doesn’t mean that the strategy is wrong."

And finally on austerity - for Tim Harford in the FT, "So if this is what happens when government services are still expanding, you might enjoy comtemplating what will happen [b]when austerity really kicks in[/b]."

Yawn

Your premise has been shown to be wrong so you misquote, distort and make personal attacks.

Shows the poverty of your position 🙄

TandemJeremy - Member

" quote THM -There are two consistent arguments on this thread that I am countering - (1) that the recession has been caused by Tory cuts and (2) that the policy mix being pursued in the UK is signicantly worse that elsewhere. This does not make me a Tory apologist not does it mean that I agree with their policy mix - I don't. But that does stop me commenting on factual errors/BS. "

Tory policy has create the double dip recession - this is not a factual error - this is a simple fact. UK and US and german growth was the same until the first tory budget - when we started performing worse.

Also other countries are doing significantly better because they are are creating growth we are not - why - the tory policies

[img] [/img]
/p>

Note where the divergence is - after the tory election. German and US economies are now bigger than they were before the recession IE they have recovered - we have not. whats the difference - tory cuts agenda here / economic stimulus in those countries

And finally on austerity - for Tim Harford in the FT, "So if this is what happens when government services are still expanding, you might enjoy comtemplating what will happen when austerity really kicks in."

Well Tim Harford isn't being very honest then. Although if you read his whole article he corrects that by claiming "government and other services", the [i]other services[/i] includes private education and private healthcare.

Furthermore he refers to an expansion of "more than 5 per cent since 2008" bearing in mind that Labour were in power for half that time, and according him "health and social care has expanded particularly strongly" it's hardly surprising is it ?

I'm disappointed with you teamhurtmore.

As Davies puts it they have made a crucial error, ...................But this doesn’t mean that the strategy is wrong."

And yo quote this piece of illogic as evidence 🙄

German and US economies are now bigger than they were before the recession IE they have recovered - we have not. whats the difference - tory cuts agenda here / economic stimulus in those countries

from the ft

Drastic public spending cuts totalling more than €80bn ($96bn, £66bn) were unveiled by Angela Merkel, German chancellor, on Monday, combined with up to 15,000 job cuts in the public sector, as part of a sweeping austerity package

There will be more means-testing of benefits for the unemployed, and cuts in child allowances for unemployed parents, as well as cuts in pension contributions for the jobless.

i don't think that your model of tory cuts/agenda here ,not in germany really holds water. seems to me that they're doing the same shit there as here.

Well TJ you stated that I was talking rubbish (the personal bits) and that is not the case. Simple facts and your quotes and points exactly.

So I can take the conclusions of " a nurse with no economic training" (your words, not mine) or one of the most respected economists and government advisors in the UK. Hmmmm....???

Ernie - the Harford point is simple and merely re-inforcing what I said earlier. "Austerity" is a sloppy adjective because it has yet to happen, hence Davies comments about the more rabid Tories (my words, not his) being disappointed with GO. It is going to happen, and that is worrying giving the balance of current policy. So let's examine its affect at that time. Simple? (Harford is using ONS definitions so a little harsh to call him dishonest and Ernie I was ve careful to talk about both parties. I wasn't falling for that)

But its a little difficult to sell newspapers, 24 hours news, political parties etc on the idea that the economic news is devestaingly boring and will remain so. Tiny MoM or QoQ noise around a very, very dull long term trend of sub-trend growth (a misnomer if flat!). I am asleep already. On top of that, most policy mixes are broadly similar across parties and largely impotent due the triple sources of deleveraging Davies states. Yawn. And one of our biggest export markets is also in an unhealthy trinity of economic, political and social chaos. Great. You can see the headlines already.........

But perhaps Murdoch et al, simply adopt the STW mantra of [b]"never let the facts get in the way of a good argument!"[/b]

whats the difference - tory cuts agenda here / economic stimulus in those countries

Any figures on this?

You've showed a pretty graph of the GDP, you've alleged the US has been following a stimulus plan that is greater than ours, but you've not given us any comparative figures.

I've already shown you a graph of US public payroll that demonstrates huge cuts in public sector employment in the US, so can you back up your claims of this mythical stimulus?

[img] [/img]

C'mon TJ - this is [b]exactly[/b] what you've been arguing against! [b]exactly[/b] what you've been telling us was wrecking the UK economy - why is it working so well in America?

seems to me that they're doing the same shit there as here.

15,000 job cuts in the German public sector doesn't quite compare with 270,000 UK public sector job cuts, specially as Germany has a population almost a third bigger.

[url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/mar/14/osborne-austerity-270000-public-sector-jobs ]Osborne's austerity drive cut 270,000 public sector jobs last year[/url]

teamhurtmore - Member

Well TJ you stated that I was talking rubbish (the personal bits) and that is not the case.

Yes it is as I have shown.

You said there is no alternative policy possible - there is as I have shown other countries doing so

You claim that the Tory policy is not making things worse here - It is as I have shown.

You are unable to refute these two things . Two things you claimed as facts that I have shown to be false.

15,000 job cuts in the German public sector doesn't quite compare with 270,000 UK public sector job cuts,

The US graph shoes a [b]million[/b] public sector jobs cut from the peak though Ernie

(albeit, that included the census, but still 600 thousand cut from the point where Obama came to power!

Why is it working so well there?

the US figures show categorically that cutting public sector jobs does not lead to recession, in fact your own argument indicates that its helping them and Germany grow!

So run out of trumps and trying a finesse?

Alternative polices stated repeatedly: change balance of monetary, fiscal mix. Less reliance on former. More focus on capital investment not wasting time on factually incorrect arguments about current expenditure which is yet to be cut YoY. A flexible exchange rate policy so that we don't do a Europe and force massive wage devaluation on workers. Umm, hence a bit of a challenge that £ * is going up but at least that may temper inflation, oh but we need that to erode our debt levels. How odd all these things are linked together?

18 months of flat economic activity. So policies not making things worse, not making them better, merely leaving us with dull, low and flat economic activity. And policy mix not unique to Tories. So yes, Tories are not guilty of making things worse but guilty of not making them better. Dull headline that for personal point scoring though!!!

* and the pound is going up because ........?!?

15,000 job cuts in the German public sector doesn't quite compare with 270,000 UK public sector job cuts, specially as Germany has a population almost a third bigger.

conceded, but £66b is still to be cut from public spending with a focus on targeting welfare provision so claiming that germany aren't proceeding with a similar agenda doesn't seem that accurate to me.

So you now admit you were wrong in your claims THM. 😯

On the contrary, stick to what I have been saying. Your OP was a simply misguided attempt to score a political point/troll with the barely hidden hope of scoring a personal one subsequently. Neither stand up to scrutiny - the recession date is statistical noise, the accusation of vandalism frankly absurd and the personal stuff relied on on- going misrepresentation. Still with the rain pouring down it was all faintly amusing. But the sun's out now so further amusement will have to wait.

Do try the Sandel book though. Robust criticisms of markets based on fact have so much more lasting impact albeit without the humour/silly factor.

Btw you have consistently argued that a rising exchange rate is a vindication of economic policy with reference to the euro. Is the £ an exception or dare I ask, why is the pound going up......?

Edit double post

TandemJeremy - Member

So you now admit you were wrong in your claims THM.

TJ Dear Leader Wannabe ...

As your Supreme Dearest Leader to maggots kind I must say you points/arguments are of a disappointment ...

You keep on going in circle with steadfast determination of the collective mindset insisting on the Tories causing the economy turmoil, but you have failed big time in even trying to convince. The govt has only been in power for two years ... so damage or not I doubt they can screw it up that badly ... I remember the Parliamentary PM Q time (Dearest Leader will put your entire family to hard labour for daring to think let alone voice) during the first few weeks of new govt and that one Mr Balls guy has already started attacking the govt policy ... he is a clown isn't he? Even my grandma six feet under would laugh at Balls.

The conclusion ... TJ you failed as an apprentice to become the future Dear Leader you capitalist! Only capitalist argues about economy etc ... in the world of Dearest Leader there is only truth and it is the Dearest Leader. The rest are just maggots.

😆

Wow !.

You puppies still arguing over that bone ?.
😯

Look. Do any of you honestly believe that TJ will all of a sudden.
Roll over and post:

" Yeah, you know what ?, you've convinced me and I'd like to say that I now agree with your opinion as you have outlined an alternative and very valid point of view ".
" Thank you for enlightening me ".

Personally, I'd expect hell to freeze over first.
Some of you lot seem to be intelligent.
So therefore, surely you must see.
It TJ's way, or its a troll-tastic argument.

Carry on !.
:loopy:

Btw you have consistently argued that a rising exchange rate is a vindication of economic policy with reference to the euro. Is the £ an exception or dare I ask, why is the pound going up......?

I have? news to me.

It really does amuse me the way yo accuse me of doing what yo do consistently. Misrepresentation, selective quoting and personal attacks.

Very funny

So do you agree there are alternate policies available that are being used by otrhe countries with more success? On this thread you have claimed both yes and no to this point.

[img] [/img]

[img] ?[/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Btw you have consistently argued that a rising exchange rate is a vindication of economic policy with reference to the euro. Is the £ an exception or dare I ask, why is the pound going up......?

I have? news to me.

It really does amuse me the way yo accuse me of doing what yo do consistently. Misrepresentation, selective quoting and personal attacks.

Well you have said this and similar on many occasions, so THM's suggestion is hardly misrepresentation.

To the folk who think the euro is in such trouble - why is it highly valued? Mch higher than the £ right now and doing well against the dollar IIRC. Wehre would you rather have your money? £ Euro? Dollar? Yen?

This is worth a read:

Here's an interesting extract:

The worsening situation reflects the austerity trap in advanced economies, primarily in Europe ...
Since 2010, and despite the job-friendly statements in successive G20 meetings and other global forums, the policy strategy has shifted its focus away from job creation and improvement and concentrated instead on cutting fiscal deficits at all costs. In European countries, cutting fiscal deficits has been deemed essential for calming financial markets. But even in countries which have not suffered from the effects of the crisis this remedy is being applied for pre-emptive reasons – fiscal deficits are being reduced to avert any negative reactions from financial markets. This approach was intended to pave the way for greater investment and growth, along with lower fiscal deficits.

In addition, as part of the policy shift, the majority of advanced economies have relaxed employment regulations and weakened labour market institutions (Chapter 2), and more deregulation measures have been announced. These steps are being taken in the hope that financial markets will react positively, thereby boosting confidence, growth and job creation.

However, these expectations have not been met. In countries that have pursued austerity and deregulation to the greatest extent, principally those in Southern Europe, economic and employment growth have continued to deteriorate. The measures also failed to stabilize fiscal positions in many instances. The fundamental reason for these failures is that these policies – implemented in a context of limited demand prospects and with the added complication of a banking system in the throes of its “deleveraging” process – are unable to stimulate private investment. The austerity trap has sprung. Austerity has, in fact, resulted in weaker economic growth, increased volatility and a worsening of banks’ balance sheets leading to a further contraction of credit, lower investment and, consequently, more job losses. Ironically, this has adversely affected government budgets, thus increasing the demands for further austerity. It is a fact that there has been little improvement in fiscal deficits in countries actively pursuing austerity policies (Chapter 3).

With regard to deregulation policies, the Report finds that they will fail to boost growth and employment in the short term – the key time horizon in a crisis situation. Indeed, the employment effects of labour market reforms depend heavily on the business cycle. In the face of a recession, less stringent regulation may lead to more redundancies without supporting job creation. Likewise, the weakening of collective bargaining is likely to provoke a downward spiral of wages, thereby delaying recovery further.

In general, the Report confirms findings from earlier studies that show there is no clear link between labour market reforms and employment levels. Interestingly, within the range in which the majority of countries lie, adequate employment regulations tend to be positively associated with employment. Beyond that, badly designed regulations may adversely affect labour market performance. In these cases, there are grounds for considering reforms as part of social dialogue and in conjunction with social protection measures. This policy has been successfully pursued in the recent past in countries such as Austria and Brazil.

The revised figures are in.
Rather than debating whether the government could have done more to avoid or prevent the country's double dip recession, the data shows that [u]this government's cuts are directly responsible for it[/u].

From The Independent: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/05/11/how-spending-cuts-delivered-the-double-dip/

(The tables haven't copied to the quote below, but are available through the link above.)

Today’s updated construction figures for the first quarter of 2012 from the Office for National Statistics are disappointing.

Despite the claims of many City analysts that last month’s estimates of 3 per cent fall would be revised up, they’ve actually been revised down by the ONS today. The ONS now thinks the sector shrank by 4.8 per cent over the three months.

And if you dig into the entrails of the ONS release there’s an interesting public/private divergence going on (click to see full table):

New public housing construction over the three months is down 10.9 per cent, driven by deep cuts to councils’ house building grants from central government. Private housing construction, however, was actually up 1.3 per cent.

Infrastructure construction is down a whopping 15.9 per cent. Now, the ONS doesn’t split this into public and private, but the majority of big projects are commissioned by government, so that reflects state spending cuts too.

This chart illustrates the divergence:

Private sector construction is clearly pretty weak by historic standards. But public sector construction is weaker still.

Construction was what dragged GDP into negative territory in the first quarter. If you strip out the sector – which makes up around 8 per cent of output – the economy would have been flat since the ONS estimates that the massive services sector grew by 0.1 per cent over the three months (see page 7 of the ONS first estimate of GDP). And, of course, the fall in GDP in Q1 was what delivered the technical recession and the double dip.

This raises the possibility that, if the Chancellor had cut less on infrastructure and public housing, other things being equal, construction would not have fallen by the same degree*, GDP growth in the first quarter would have been 0, and Britain would not now be in a double dip recession.

* Using the above table I calculate that if new public housing, infrastructure and public new work had remained flat over the three months construction output would have been £26,454m, rather than £25,622m. This would imply a 1.7% fall, rather than a 4.8% drop. A 4.8% drop knocked 0.2% off total GDP, according to the ONS. So a 1.7% drop would have knocked off a percentage of GDP statistically insignificant from zero.

Bring back Gordon.

[b]"Austerity is a myth to con financial markets."[/b]

I am glad that I am not the only one, who would prefer the debate to be framed correctly.

Tullett Prebon, a bond trader, said that “public expenditures have hardly been reduced at all” and that claims of a “big cut in public spending is bare-faced deception”. Figures highlighted by the firm show that public spending actually rose during 2010-11 and fell by just 1.5 percent last year. Government spending is more than £22 billion higher than it was in 2008 when the financial crisis erupted. The majority of extra money required by ministers to fill the black hole in the finances caused by the recession is being raised from extra taxes rather than cuts in Government spending.

Dr Tim Morgan, the global head of research at Tullett Prebon, said: “It’s high time that this mendacity was exposed for what it is. Government has done very little about its spending, has appropriated three-quarters of all gains in economic output for its own use, has carried on piling up debt – and has tried to pass all this off as 'responsible austerity’.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9265517/Austerity-is-a-myth-to-con-the-financial-markets-City-firm-tells-Cameron.html

This is not to suggest that the "spun" policies are correct, merely to point out that we should at least call them what they actually are. Good to see that someone else can see that the Emperor is wearing no clothes after all!

"Austerity is a myth to con financial markets."

So basically David Cameron is no different to a spend spend spend lefty who wants to hammer the City.

The City - them special people what create the nation's wealth, for us all to enjoy, bless their little cotton socks.

And apart from his sinister plan to con the financial markets, Cameron is clearly also a barefaced liar.......with all his fancy talk about so-called "cuts".

You must be gutted that you voted Tory teamhurtmore.

Or did you vote Labour ?

Ernie, you are correct, I am gutted. But you are incorrect about the reason. I am gutted (1) because the poor performance of the UK economy affects our welfare and (2) the misdiagnosis of our problems by political parties, the media and people who should know better reduces our likelihood of a meaningful recovery.

If the diagnosis is wrong, it's unlikely that the cure will be correct. Simple. Ed Balls is correct with the term, "flatlining" but incorrect in the "cutting too far, too fast." How can current policy failures be corrected if the opposition to them fails to identify what is wrong. We have had restrictive taxation and no cuts. gov spending is above the trend of a Labour government apart from their final splurge. So what is this austerity that people go on about? Simple rhetoric rather than reality. But perhaps politics is like STW, why let facts get in the way of a good argument!

Government and Opposition talking economic nonsense, no wonder we are flatlining! The only good thing is this is the third similar article to be published in the last week. Perhaps eventually we will diagnose our economic problems correctly so that the correct solutions can be found. Alternatively we will simply become collateral damage to the next Euro crisis.

The only government to actually cut spending was the Lloyd George coalition in the 1920s. The result of his cuts was the Liberals being out of power from then to the current coalition. So perhaps, this is why they all lie to us!!! But Ernie, if you prefer lies/spin to the truth then so be it!

But Ernie, if you prefer lies/spin to the truth then so be it!

I'm a right sucker for the lies and spin of governments THM ....... as you have undoubtedly noticed.

Some people might think that I'm just being naive and gullible, but I prefer to see as not wanting to trouble my head with things what I don't understand.

Well it's all our futures - so its worth understanding. Otherwise, forget the paddles, we wont even have any canoes to navigate this creek, and that will be messy 😉

{but do read the Skidelsky article from "my bible" 😉 today [link on relevant thread], its well written and by someone who understands Keynesian economics properly]

Version 4 tonight on Newsnight and a frankly depressing debate. Cue Tory MP talking twaddle about cutting the deficit and implementing austerity and getting basic facts wrong, an economist who should know better and the abrasive Terry Smith quoting his colleagues analysis above. At least, Smith was basing the argument on fact. And we wonder why we are in such a mess?

Hopefully with the Beeb airing the question about whether talk of UK austerity is correct, we may start to have some open and honest debate. Then, an only then, we can address the real issues facing the UK economy.

Then, an only then, we can address the real issues facing the UK economy.

Oh go on.......address the real issues facing the UK economy now. Don't bother waiting.

So what are the real issues then ?

Blimey Ernie, you have to ask? Stated several times on this and other threads! In brief, and ignoring the structural longer term issues. Current levels (and the outlook) for aggregate demand are weak. Why? Very simply we have all the major economic players - households, companies, banks and the government in the process of deleveraging. I will leave the blame game out of this for the moment! But the key is that this is happening simultaneously. The BOE Inflation report published yesterday laid this out very clearly - look at domestic demand (current gov pls take note). Consumption very weak as households face declining real incomes and are starting to save more (deleveraging). Business investment is still well below pre-crisis levels due to weak demand, uncertainty, and lack of available credit. Output from manufacturing and services is flat but construction as you will know is weak (hence the current double-dip). And the banking industry remains over-leveraged and in intensive care. Despite all of this, addressing over-leverage has only just begun. Really, only just. Which is why I have argued before that this is going to be a very slow process. The BOE euphamistically stated yesterday, " even if a credible an effective set of policies are successfully implemented, the scale of the necessary adjustments suggests that a prolonged period of sluggish growth and heightened uncertainty is likely. " Thank you Merve!

And then, and only then, we have economic, social and political uncertainties (the polite version) among our major trading partners in Europe although external demands impact on overall aggregate demand is not currently a big deal largely because imports have been weak. But it obviously doesn't help.

And then policies. Despite the BS frequently spouted, policy choices and options among the three main parties are broadly the same and, as Gavin Davis put it, probably correct in the long term. But the Tories have been misguided in their belief that the mere act of deficit reduction alone would rekindle growth. Given the four powerful forces of deleveraging described above that was as absurd here as it is in the rest of Europe. Plus an over-reliance on accommodative monetary policy is wrong given shape of IS-LM curves and the broken banking system.

Other than that, everything is fine and dandy and the proper debates about austerity (sic) finally happening 😉

Blimey Ernie, you have to ask? Stated several times on this and other threads!

Well I had to ask what you think the "real issues" are as I'm afraid that sometimes I don't pay enough attention to what you say. Sorry.

Still, I'm glad to see that according you right there at the very top of the list of "real issues" you have placed low wages and a lack of investment in construction - which you point out has resulted in double-dip recession.

And the fault of deeply dippy double-dip Osbourne.

It's good to see how much we share much in common teamhurtmore, despite out differences.....what with me being a Marxist-Leninist and you being a Thatcherite Tory.

Perhaps consensus politics will make a comeback ?

Indeed Ernie, it's funny how easy it is to reach consensus when one sticks to the facts (I will ignore the repetitive misnomer this time!!!!) !! In effect we probably have more consensus politics in reality than is portrayed by the media and the politicians and of course we have it in a rudimentary and messy fashion now with the Condems!

But that is why it is important to pick up on BS such as the recession is caused by Tory cuts (sic) or the accuse them of economic vandalism. THe true economic vandals were the Labour Party, the BOE, the FSA, the bankers and everyone who over-leveraged themeselves in the gorge-fest during Labours time in power. OH and the biggest of the lot, the mighty Alan Greenspan. They oversaw and created a private sector growth mirage based on unsustainable leverage ( the ultimate economic high) and compounded that by embarking on a public debt explosion with spending far outstripping revenues. And then you get silly political games like Darling raising the MRT to 50% for no other reason than to pass a political hot potato onto his successor. A mini scorched earth policy. Some of this is about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Tories would probably have done much the same thing (albeit without the splurge in public sector debt) and ditto now the Labour Party would follow much of the current policies. Indeed re-read Ed Balls speech to the Fabian Society and his spending plans would have been faster and further than the current ones imposed by the Tories. Funny that......but when have facts ever got in the way of a good argument!!!!!

On wages, I am afraid to say that I fear that downward pressure on wages is only just beginning. Thank goodness then that we are not tied into a fixed exchange rate!

I will ignore the repetitive misnomer this time!!!!

What me calling you a Thatcherite Tory ? 😀

Well what are you then ? Why don't you unequivocally state where you stand politically ? I have no problem being open and honest about my political orientation.

Of course I understand the shortcomings of slapping labels on people's politic views, but I have absolutely no problem with being labelled a leftist, a socialist, or a Marxist. Undoubtedly it throws up as many questions as it answers, after all, a Trotskyite can be labelled as all of those and I am definitely not a Trot ! But I can handle that, and it does give some clue to where you're coming from.

No one should be ashamed of their politics, and if they are ashamed of their politics, then it clearly points to an urgent need to change them.

I suspect though teamhurtmore, part of your problem is that you don't really know. Sure I have no doubt that things were much clearer for you before your world went pear-shaped and everything which you argued for wasn't being challenged - you have no problem singing the praises of Thatcher's premiership for example. But now that all the old certainties have all gone you have been left ideologically adrift, confused, and hanging on to bits of ideological wreckage.

The other part of the problem I suspect is simply the reluctance to firmly nail your colours to the mast because doing so leaves you open to critical attack.......how much better to leave people guessing what you actually believe in - at least they won't be able to effectively attack you. And if they do attack you, leaving you unable to respond, you can go for the denial strategy - who are they to argue what you believe in when you haven't even told them ?

we probably have more consensus politics in reality than is portrayed by the media

Yes of course, we don't as in other simular European countries, currently live in a fractious society - it's all just the invention of the media. Scenes like this yesterday didn't exist.

[img] [/img]

So much consensus.....

get an e room you two 🙂

Typo !.

That should have been.

Guns don't kill people, [b]Rabbits[/b] do.

😉

easygroove - Member
get an e room you two

Well tragically I thought it had died a death. So I'm particularly grateful that teamhurtmore breathed new life into it and bravely resurrected it. You can't beat a good thread on a mtb forum in which the punters are vying for the Nobel Peace Prize in economics.

Blimey - where did that come from? And after the consensus leading previous thread!! Thought about replying but Tony you are correct. Best put out of its misery. Proper work to do!