Briefings

How the UK has changed in the last 70 years since the Queen took the throne
UK Economy

How the UK has changed in the last 70 years since the Queen took the throne

The last 70 years have been eventful and often difficult, but the UK is far wealthier than it was when the Queen took the throne in 1952. Simon Wilson…
1 Jun 2022
Britain’s broken energy markets
UK Economy

Britain’s broken energy markets

Governments have no control over global energy prices. But the dysfunction that has led to rising price caps and windfall taxes is all of the UK’s own…
27 May 2022
Here’s how the government plans to cut consumers’ energy bills
Personal finance

Here’s how the government plans to cut consumers’ energy bills

Rishi Sunak has outlined a £15bn package to help consumers cut the cost of soaring energy bills. Saloni Sardana looks at what he’s proposing and what …
26 May 2022
What's behind Sri Lanka’s crippling debt crisis?
Emerging markets

What's behind Sri Lanka’s crippling debt crisis?

Sri Lanka has been hit by a triple whammy of economic shocks and has gone to the IMF for a bailout. It may just be the first domino to fall in a globa…
20 May 2022
Hong Kong’s brain drain
Chinese economy

Hong Kong’s brain drain

A change in the political atmosphere and a harsh zero-Covid regime has seen thousands flee the global financial hub. Does it have a future – or will S…
14 May 2022
Britain’s post-Brexit trade chaos
UK Economy

Britain’s post-Brexit trade chaos

The government has yet again postponed introducing post-Brexit checks on EU imports. Why has it done this, and does it matter?
7 May 2022
What is a windfall tax?
UK Economy

What is a windfall tax?

Windfall taxes are levied on industries that have benefited the most from unusual economic conditions, earning above average profits. They are often a…
3 May 2022
The emerging-markets debt crisis
Emerging markets

The emerging-markets debt crisis

Slowing global growth, surging inflation and rising interest rates are squeezing emerging economies harder than most. Are we on the brink of a major c…
30 Apr 2022
Why we need to chop off the “dead hand” of the Treasury
UK Economy

Why we need to chop off the “dead hand” of the Treasury

HM Treasury, the department in charge of long-term growth, fiscal policy, and departmental budgets, is a single bloated behemoth. It would be better t…
23 Apr 2022
Is China set to dominate the world?
Asian economy

Is China set to dominate the world?

Having secured a presidency for life within the country’s borders, Xi Jinping is now going for world domination – not out of megalomania, but a concer…
14 Apr 2022
Will higher trade-union power cause a wage-price spiral?
UK Economy

Will higher trade-union power cause a wage-price spiral?

Inflation is hotting up, leading workers to demand wage rises to compensate. Union membership is on the rise again. Will this spark a wage-price spira…
8 Apr 2022
How a retreat from globalisation will affect the world economy
Global Economy

How a retreat from globalisation will affect the world economy

Global trade has been in decline for some time, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks a big turning point, say some commentators. What will that mean…
1 Apr 2022
Should we levy a windfall tax on Big Oil's big profits?
Energy

Should we levy a windfall tax on Big Oil's big profits?

Soaring oil prices mean huge profits for energy firms. Politicians are keen to impose windfall taxes, but that could discourage vital investment in ne…
26 Mar 2022
Russia, Ukraine and the coming global food crisis
Global Economy

Russia, Ukraine and the coming global food crisis

The war in Ukraine has disrupted food and fertiliser exports, pushing up prices and threatening a global calamity.
19 Mar 2022
Russian aggression is a big blow for the world’s “net zero” ambitions
Energy

Russian aggression is a big blow for the world’s “net zero” ambitions

Switching the world economy over from fossil fuels to green alternatives was always going to be a challenge. It just got a lot harder. Simon Wilson re…
12 Mar 2022
Will the sanctions aimed at Putin have any effect?
Economy

Will the sanctions aimed at Putin have any effect?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the West’s strategic calculus and tougher than expected sanctions have followed. Will they be enough to chang…
7 Mar 2022
The case for cryptocurrencies in times of war
Bitcoin & crypto

The case for cryptocurrencies in times of war

Both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war are turning to cryptocurrencies. Saloni Sardana looks at the case for digital cash in times of war.
4 Mar 2022
Oil passes $110 a barrel as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues – here’s what it means for you
Global Economy

Oil passes $110 a barrel as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues – here’s what it means for you

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensifying, the price of oil, gas and petrol has soared even further. Saloni Sardana looks at what the future may …
2 Mar 2022
What exclusion from the SWIFT banking system means for Russia
Global Economy

What exclusion from the SWIFT banking system means for Russia

As part of Western sanctions, many of Russia's banks have been banned from the SWIFT system. Saloni Sardana explains what that is, and how the ban wil…
28 Feb 2022
Credit Suisse data leak reveals Swiss banks are home to scores of criminals’ loot
Economy

Credit Suisse data leak reveals Swiss banks are home to scores of criminals’ loot

Swiss banks have looked after the loot of a variety of unsavoury characters, according to new leaks from Credit Suisse. Did new laws in the wake of th…
26 Feb 2022
How the Ukraine crisis could drive food prices higher
Soft commodities

How the Ukraine crisis could drive food prices higher

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven energy prices up. But with both nations major exporters of agricultural commodities, it could send food prices…
24 Feb 2022
A major breakthrough in the search for nuclear fusion
Energy

A major breakthrough in the search for nuclear fusion

For 60 years, the hope of producing vast amounts of clean energy from nuclear fusion has remained tantalisingly beyond our grasp. Now scientists claim…
19 Feb 2022
What the rise in National Insurance contributions means for you
National Insurance

What the rise in National Insurance contributions means for you

National Insurance contributions are due to increase from 6 April. Saloni Sardana explains the reasons behind the rise, and how much it will cost you.
17 Feb 2022
Energy bills rebate: what is the government’s plan?
Personal finance

Energy bills rebate: what is the government’s plan?

The government recently said that it would rebate some of the cost of rising energy prices to consumers. Saloni Sardana looks at what's planned.
16 Feb 2022