28th March 2018
Vienna, Austria
As a British diplomat in Austria (I am Second Secretary for Economic and EU issues), I have found one of the most surprising things about Austrian politics is how people feel about trade. Austria’s export ratio (i.e. goods exports as a ratio of GDP) is high – 52%, compared to the High Income Country average […]
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5th May 2016
Havana, Cuba
Once again I have the pleasure to publish a blog by one of the fifteen Cuban Chevening scholars currently in the UK. Ricardo Gonzalez is a teacher and researcher from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Havana and is studying a masters in economics at Queen Mary University, London. Thanks to Ricardo for this […]
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13th November 2014
Brasilia, Brazil
This weekend, on 15-16 November, heads of government from 19 countries and the EU will meet in Brisbane, Australia for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. This gathering of the ‘Group of 20’, the world’s major developed and emerging economies, took on force after the Global Financial Crisis and is now arguably the most important global forum […]
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4th April 2014
USA
When I was growing up, I remember hearing stories about the mass pilgrimages that people made to Liverpool in the hopes of hearing the Beatles play live. Although Beatlemania has just celebrated its 50 year anniversary, (is there now One Direction mania?), Liverpool still attracts millions of tourists who want to experience the city’s multiple […]
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28th March 2014
USA
There: I thought that would draw you in. What does it have to do with the UK economy though? Well, last week, the UK Chancellor presented the Government’s 2014 Budget. The annual Budget report and statement in Parliament offers an opportunity to take stock of the economic outlook and public finances, while making some policy […]
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23rd January 2014
Washington DC, USA
“Is it just me or has everything shrunk?” That was the principal thought running through my head on January 15th as I walked into my old high school – the Inverness Royal Academy – for the first time in 23 years. The Head of the Economics Department there, Ian Stewart, was the first person to […]
Read more on 23 years of the UK economy in approximately 650 words (and the next 23 years in just 30) | Reply
22nd January 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The World Economic Forum opens every year in January in the Swiss resort of Davos. Britain, as usual, will be sending a strong delegation led by the Prime Minister. It is one of the principal opportunities during the year when government, business, journalists and thinkers can gather to discuss the state of the world’s economy […]
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4th December 2013
USA
Tomorrow, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver the UK government’s Autumn Statement. We’re often asked what the Autumn Statement is and how it differs to the Budget? The Budget (usually held in the early Spring) comes at the start of the UK’s fiscal year, which runs from April to March. Budgets set the […]
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23rd May 2013
Washington DC, USA
Two countries separated by different summers It’s that time of year again when Washington D.C. slowly but surely starts to melt. The heart of the East Coast summer time. Temperatures in the 80s, 90s and even higher. Suffocating humidity. Blazing sun. A feeling that we could be living in a swamp. The realisation that we […]
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2nd April 2013
Washington DC, USA
On March 12, British living legend David Bowie released his first new album in almost ten years – “The Next Day”. The record has been met with a tremendous reception, both critically and commercially. Q Magazine crowned its release with a gold plated five star review. It entered the UK album chart at the number […]
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