Occupy was right: capitalism has failed the world
One of the slogans of the 2011 Occupy protests was 'capitalism isn't working'. Now, in an epic, groundbreaking new book, French economist Thomas Piketty explains why they're rightThe École d'économie...
View ArticleBenefits of fuel duty freeze offset loss in tax income, says Treasury report
Controversial findings say savings on fuel costs lead to spending on other services but cause furore among environmental groupsReality check: can tax cuts pay?Freezing fuel duty benefits the economy...
View ArticleBritain's economy to enjoy 'decent but unspectacular growth' say forecasters
EY Item Club raises growth forecast for 2014 to 2.9% from earlier prediction of 2.7%Britain's economy will enjoy "decent but unspectacular growth" with wages rising in real terms for the first time in...
View ArticleThe fundamentals favour Cameron, so the general election is his to lose |...
It's not next month's elections that threaten Tory prospects, but the way the party responds to the resultsDavid Cameron's frustration must be acute. As MPs disperse for their Easter break, the prime...
View ArticleTax cuts: can they pay? | Reality Check | Juliette Jowit
The Treasury has published a new report into the decision to axe automatic rises in fuel duty claiming it will boost the economy in the long term. But at a high price.4.08pm BST4.00pm BSTSome final...
View ArticleEarnings above inflation? Don't spend it all at once
Caution is needed over growth figures averages are driven up by top earners and it will take years to recoup a 10% dropPut out the bunting. Crack open the bubbly. Invite your friends round for a party....
View ArticleHow Janus-faced George Osborne defied stereotype and triumphed | Simon Jenkins
For a chancellor four years into office after presiding over the worst slump since the war, his popularity is remarkableThe Osborne star continues to rise, even as his Tory party slumps. In the latest...
View ArticleLabour is doomed if it buys into Tory austerity, so let's spell out an...
A Labour government that implements cuts on the scale set out by George Osborne will struggle to last more than one termHidden in an otherwise positive Guardian/ICM poll is the alarming fact that David...
View ArticleWages beat inflation as unemployment falls below 7%
Pay rose by 1.7%, ahead of the March inflation rate of 1.6%, while there was a quarterly fall of 77,000 in the number of people out of workWage growth has finally started to outpace inflation after...
View ArticleEd Miliband will fail if he gives in to the sirens of austerity | Seumas Milne
Hollande's rout in the French local elections shows the price to be paid if Labour embraces cuts and corporate powerThe Tory press are crowing that George Osborne is as good as home and dry. Now that...
View ArticleJob of work
The recovery in employment has been faster than expected but many doubts exist about the security of the new jobsNobody saw the crisis coming, a common but debatable claim. What's clearer is that...
View ArticleBrazil: a role model for development?
What can the rest of the developing world learn from Brazil's economic development and narrowing inequality gap? Researchers explain the three elements of sustained growthBrazil isn't getting the best...
View ArticleEd Miliband signs up top Obama adviser David Axelrod for UK election
US president's right-hand man, who masterminded back-to-back election wins, to sharpen Labour party focus on inequalityBarack Obama's most influential adviser during two presidential victories has been...
View ArticleElection will be tight but winnable with Axelrod's help, says Douglas Alexander
Barack Obama's most influential adviser hailed by Labour's campaign chief as crucial in helping party through tough battleLabour is expecting a tight election and tough campaign but Barack Obama's...
View ArticleExtravagant CEO pay doesn't reflect performance it's all about status | Will...
The rise in super-salaries has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with keeping up in a status raceEven American eyes are starting to pop at the sheer extravagance of executive pay....
View ArticleIf Britain wants to become a nation of makers, why not a five-year plan?
There are many things about the Chinese model it would be unwise to emulate. But its active industrial strategy serves it wellBritain's apparent love affair with China has intensified over recent...
View ArticleCheeky half-truths when Mr Osborne goes to Washington
The chancellor's speech to a rightwing thinktank made much of recent signs of recovery and little of years of stagnationMy recent reference to George Osborne being "the zero-hours chancellor" relates...
View ArticleCouncils sit on £67m in emergency help for poor
Record numbers of families have pleas for help rejected even though councils in England are failing to spend allocated cashA fledgling scheme to provide emergency help to the poorest in the country is...
View ArticleThe social fund: from distortion to destitution | Editorial
Instead of the tailored local relief pledged by ministers, we can expect shredded safety nets everywherePoliticians often wonder why they are so hated. Sometimes they blame media distortion, sometimes...
View ArticleCEBR raises forecast for UK growth
Economy expected to grow by 3.1% this year and there may be scope for modest tax cuts before election, says forecasterBritain's economy will grow by 3.1% this year after a turnaround in household...
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