UK: Consumer Weakness Will Persist For Years, Not a Few Quarters

1 August 2017 The recent release of second quarter GDP data had something for everyone.  For the post-Brexit sceptics, the meagre 0.3% gain (following a similarly paltry advance in Q1) confirmed the economic recovery was faltering. Recently, weak consumer spending has been a major headwind, resulting from modest income growth and higher prices following sterling’s [...]

President Trump: Lessons from Pittsburgh!

3 July 2017 In announcing his recent decision that America would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, President Trump rationalised this choice indicating he represented the citizens of Pittsburgh, not those of Paris.  His remarks, however, suggest the President perceives Pittsburgh as a heavily polluting city in industrial decline, requiring the government’s protection from the [...]