February 23, 2019 - Latest: What has happened to markets this year? by Darius McDermott
15th November 2016
It is time for a reset of fiscal policy to address both short and long-term challenges in the UK economy says Standard Life Investments.
A well-targeted stimulus would help cushion an expected slowdown in growth following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. It would also provide ammunition to address the deterioration in growth rates seen over recent years, through targeted investment and structural reform. With markets concerned over the long-term effects of leaving the European Union, these priorities have become even more pertinent.
‘Time to rewrite the UK’s fiscal rulebook’ is the first in a series of Public Policy Perspectives, a new research publication which aims to broaden the debate on policy issues across a range of economies and make neutral, evidence-based recommendations. The paper argues that a coordinated fiscal and monetary stimulus would represent a much more effective policy mix than monetary easing alongside further fiscal austerity. The upcoming Autumn Statement provides an ideal opportunity for a step change. The firm says it would advocate the following measures.
‘Time to rewrite the UK’s fiscal rulebook’ is co-authored by James McCann, UK & European Economist (pictured), and Stephanie Kelly, Political Economist, Standard Life Investments.
Mr McCann says: “Monetary policy has been overburdened since the financial crisis, with fiscal policy actually working against the recovery. A large fiscal push in the Autumn Statement would complement the easing measures implemented by the Bank of England over the summer. It would also help lift long-term growth rates, primarily through targeted infrastructure spending and structural reforms.”