Interesting new survey from colleagues Boston Consulting Group looking at AI usage & attitudes. Notable that consumers saying they've used ChatGPT is higher in several emerging markets than developed ones. UK lags on usage & concern about AI impact outweighs excitement. bcg.com/publications/2…

Flash #PMI signals accelerating UK economic recovery in April. GDP signalled to be rising at a quarterly rate of 0.4% after a 0.3% gain in the first quarter.

UK retail sales flatlining. Think we are seeing the trend of paying more for less reach its limit. Retailers have had a big value play over past couple of years. That looks to be changing ons.gov.uk/businessin

Case for some changes here but fundamentally this feels like government tackling symptoms not the cause. Real answers lie in better connecting up health & work in govt, trying to address fundamental rise in sickness. We've got some work coming up on this, so watch this space...

UK will be a big winner from AI, the IMF says. The UK economic structure means it should get a jump-start over the next decade
Story by Tom Rees bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Mixed bag of labour market data this morning but two points which will continue to concern BoE. 1. wage growth at 6% annually 2. Economic inactivity continues to rise, so even with small rise in unemployment overall tightness of labour market remains ons.gov.uk/releases/uklab…

Really interesting report. The rise in long term sick & inactivity is a huge challenge for next govt. Understanding impact of benefits system is a key link in this. Agree with thrust below that indications are rise is down to real increase in sickness not benefits incentives.

Super interesting piece (& broader paper). I continue to think the HMT transfers to the BoE for QE losses will come under more scrutiny so understand what alternatives might be & work elsewhere is really important.

If this refers to using the backstop as permanent UK-EU deal, that would be worse than standard customs union precedents. If refers to Chequers, the EU didn't & still wouldn't accept it. Neither approach would be wise, but I don't think Labour are really considering either

Welcome news & further sign of improving UK economy. Services no longer doing all the lifting, though growth here very marginal it is part of a consistent improvement over past six months.

Bank of England policy maker Catherine Mann says financial markets are pricing in too many interest rate cuts this year trib.al/P4IRvju