Public finances
Competing visions for the state need strong economic growth to become a reality
The Labour and Conservative manifestos will be hard to deliver without stronger economic growth.
Radical change versus playing it safe as parties divide on business policies
The party manifestos offer massively different solutions on how to best deliver for society and the economy.
Labour and Conservative manifestos ignore potentially painful choices ahead on tax
Both main political parties fail to spell out who will pay for their promises of improved public services.
Conservative and Labour fiscal rules would shake off the spending straitjacket
While the winner of the next election will adopt a looser fiscal stance, any increases in capital spending must be carefully managed.
Political consensus on business can’t hide the policy flaws
There are some surprising signs of consensus – and problems ahead – in the main political parties' pitches to the business community.
Asking the OBR to cost manifestos could make sense – but would be complicated
While opposition parties would like the Office for Budget Responsibility be cost all parties’ manifestos, such a decision should not be taken lightly.
Creating and dismantling government departments
The direct costs of creating a new department start at £15 million.
British Steel's collapse highlights the complexities of state intervention
The government's response to the troubles of British Steel is a reminder of how difficult it is to get state intervention right.
Both parties' new fiscal rules don’t address the challenges facing public services
The fiscal splurges of the election campaign trail fail to address the clear pressures in public services.
Election manifestos should be bold about tax reform
Politicians should use this general election to set out proposals for much-needed changes to the tax system.