Turkey "appears closer to a full-blown currency crisis than at any point since the ruling AK party took power in 2002", says the Financial Times. The lira keeps plumbing new lows against the US dollar; it has lost 10% since the start of 2017.
The problem is largely self-inflicted. Turkey's increasingly authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, "threatens the basic functioning of Turkey's institutions". His crackdown following a coup attempt in July has unsettled investors and local businesses. Terrorist attacks have undermined crucial tourism receipts and the sliding currency is increasing the burden of local firms' foreign debts.
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Steve Webb: The triple lock is there to do a job. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed of itThe triple lock means 13 million pensioners will now get an above-inflation state pension boost in April. While the rising cost of the policy has stirred controversy, Steve Webb, who served as pensions minister when it was introduced, argues the triple lock is vital and should stay. Webb speaks to Kalpana Fitzpatrick on the new episode of MoneyWeek Talks – out now.
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How retirement pots risk running out 11 years early if inflation remains highPension savers could find their retirement income may not last as long as they anticipated over fears that inflation may not slow down
