The FOMC 'dot plot' forecasts of interest rates have always been a bit controversial among the Fed officials. I remember Jim Bullard blasting them and calling for change. Now Ben Bernanke is calling for a new approach at #BOE . bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Economics Philip Aldrick

‘Nye’: bad history, bad drama and a flawed hero | TheArticle > terrific piece by ⁦Denis MacShane⁩ thearticle.com/nye-bad-histor…

NEW: Bloomberg UK Saturday read

— Tory MPs are floating the idea of a “unity Cabinet” of moderates + right-wingers, led by Mordaunt, if Sunak can’t survive May 2

— No10 is seriously considering a big shift to the right on migration/ECHR to stop letters

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BOE’s Mann says markets are pricing too many UK rate cuts this year bloomberg.com/news/articles/…bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Francine Lacqua Philip Aldrick

astonishing legal claim
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Chart: price pressure eases across the UK.

Analysis below uses ONS microdata which gives a regional split on prices: the yawning gap between rises and cuts is starting to close.

Good news but still leaves big questions about pay. Dataset available via my site (link in bio)

“States need not worry about copyright or data protection for two reasons.”

⁦The recent history of the NHS provides many examples of why this statement is not true and the commercial and IP model are unresolved Stephen Bush⁩ on.ft.com/3v8uAAj

Employers looking at longer probation periods, fixed term contracts, agency staff to preserve flexible UK labour mkts if Labour does radically overhaul employment rights in gvt. Constructive talks ongoing, biz hopes changes will be made after consultation
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UK undershoots its budget for making homes greener by £478 Million bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Philip Aldrick Olivia Rudgard

In a year in which govt depts blew their budgets and had to claw money from capital programs (£1bn at NHS, £190m MOJ, for eg) DESNEZ underspent its green homes capital budget by almost half a billion quid. Heat pump and insulation subsides weren't used bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

“Angry” ONS staff threaten to strike after being “ordered” back to the office for two days a week bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Doesn’t take much to hit negative equity when your equity is 1% of the price.

Hunt was planning help for first time buyers in the budget but decided against it over fears it would encourage buying at the top of the market and leave many new homeowners in negative equity

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Mad explanation of Budget leaks from the chancellor.

UK considering curbing the number of Chinese officials who can bypass normal visa checks over spy concerns

Scoop from Kitty Donaldson >>

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

UK public services in ‘unknown territory,’ budget watchdog warns bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Philip Aldrick

The analogue comeback. Vinyl records back in the ONS inflation basket for the first time in 32 years. Card games have been added, too.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

M&S chair says UK rate increases have been ‘totally ineffective’ bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Philip Aldrick Caroline Hepker