did anyone just write a book on why politicians lie about trade? Dmitry Grozoubinski

I hate to be pedantic (and no doubt this will mean I'll be labelled as one of those doomsters Kemi Badenoch is calling out here) but there's a few problems with the data the biz/trade sec is quoting here.
When you correct them, the picture looks a little different...
🧵

Paddle Steamers, Bristol Quay, Eric Ravilious, 1938. It depicts Paddle steamers operated by P&A Campbell, which were moored up for winter. The original artwork is in a private collection. #Bristol

Sad to hear of the passing of CJ Sansom. Although my first degree was in History, I don't think I'd ever read self-consciously 'historical fiction' before I read his stuff. If you've never tried it but fancy giving it a try, I can heartily recommend his first:

Thanks Jonathan

Very good analysis from ⁦David Smith⁩ pointing that strong growth in UK services may keep inflation problematic for longer- in The Sunday ⁦The Times and The Sunday Times⁩
thetimes.co.uk/article/306fb7…

My Sunday Times piece today: Welcome signs of recovery are emerging in Britain and Europe, but significant challenges remain. Plus: The government’s dodgy figures for defence spending:

Spring has sprung, but chill winds still blow through the economy

thetimes.co.uk/article/306fb7…

Hundreds of children were orphaned by the scandal in which British haemophiliacs were given blood products contaminated with HIV and other diseases.

They have never been compensated for the tragedy that in many cases ruined their lives

Today we are sharing the disappointing news that the DfE is no longer planning to fund a new Career Change Programme contract which Now Teach is currently responsible for delivering.

Without new funding Now Teach cannot recruit any more experienced people beyond this September

My Sunday Times piece today: Welcome signs of recovery are emerging in Britain and Europe, but significant challenges remain. Plus: The government’s dodgy figures for defence spending:

Spring has sprung, but chill winds still blow through the economy

thetimes.co.uk/article/306fb7…

Belle Tout Lighthouse, Eric Ravilious, 1939. The lighthouse is located overlooking Beachy Head in East #Sussex on the South Downs Way. The original Ravilious artwork was sold at Christie's in 2015 and I believe it is now in a private collection.

John Lewis has said it will publish job interview questions in advance to help candidates out. Should more firms follow suit?

It is hard to imagine though that in the absence of the election, Hunt would be in such a rush to cut taxes.
Public borrowing in 2023-24, £120.7bn, 4.4% of GDP, was £6.6bn higher than OBR’s latest forecast.
(£)thetimes.co.uk/article/electi…
By David Smith

Thanks John

A timely article by David Smith given this is exactly what’s happening with yesterday’s announcement on defence spending increases as well as earlier tax cut announcements ahead of the election

So sorry to hear the inimitable Frank Field has died. Over the years I wrote countless stories with him, often at his insistence, and all of them intended to help his struggling constituents. His wit was sharp and his intellect fierce, but biggest of all was his heart. In 20…

My Times piece today: When politicians are out to win votes, sound public finances take a back seat, posing problems for their successors:

Elections and government debt add up to a toxic combination

thetimes.co.uk/article/b8d996…

Public sector net debt excluding public sector banks was £2,694.2 billion at the end of March 2024, provisionally estimated to be around 98.3% of the UK’s annual gross domestic product.

➡️ ons.gov.uk/economy/govern…

Public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks was £120.7 billion in the 2023 to 2024 financial year, £7.6 billion less than in the previous year and around a third of that in 2020 to 2021 during #COVID19 .

➡️ ons.gov.uk/economy/govern…

A ‘soft landing’ for the economy looks harder to achieve: Central banks have been striving to tame inflation without killing growth. But new economic figures, and rising geopolitical tensions, suggest that struggle is far from over thetimes.co.uk/article/the-so… via David Smith