Here’s your Plan B, Mr Osborne

Nine of the world's leading economists offer an alternative to the coalition's austerity measures.

By New Statesman Published 18 October 2011

Nine of the world's leading economists offer an alternative to the coalition's austerity measures.

The coalition claims there is no alternative to austerity. Below, nine leading economists, including a Nobel Prizewinner and one of the Chancellor's own advisers, say that's wrong -- and offer a different path. You can read their open letters to the Chancellor here:

Cut VAT back to 17.5 per cent
Christopher Pissarides

Agree financial transaction tax
Jeffrey Sachs

Reduce NI contributions
David Blanchflower

Print money for the public
Sushil Wadhwani

Start a national investment bank
Robert Skidelsky

Lift the cap on immigration
Jonathan Portes

Lend directly to small businesses
George Magnus

Launch a green new deal
Ann Pettifor

Set up a recovery fund
Christopher Allsopp

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Tags: Plan B

13 comments

Tue, 2011-10-18 23:00 — Stu (not verified)

we're all doomed!!! doesn't matter if it's the Tories or Labour in power... Just hope i win the lotto sooooooon!!!!

Wed, 2011-10-19 21:33 — Awake!

@ graham
'falling pound won't create export jobs - we are net importers despite the recent slight trade surplus last quarter'
It takes time. And the numbers ARE improving. What do u think the average lead time is on £1Mn plus equipment??? or a jet engine????

'The tories always leave Labour with a high National debt in proportion to GDP.' Not this time though...

Wed, 2011-10-19 01:12 — Ivan White (not verified)

"George Osborne still insists that his plan is the right one for Britain. I can well imagine him on board the Titanic as it fills with water, telling everyone that this ship is unsinkable."

http://cuttingedge2.forumotion.co.uk/t73-plan-b-for-the-hopeless-george-...