Labour's Economic Policies Spark Chaos: Businesses and Consumers Brace for Recession

November 21, 2024
Labour's Economic Policies Spark Chaos: Businesses and Consumers Brace for Recession
  • Since Labour's election victory on July 5, 2024, their economic policies have quickly backfired, causing significant concern among businesses and consumers.

  • Starmer and Reeves initially claimed to have identified a £22 billion deficit in the UK's accounts, which later ballooned to £40 billion, negatively impacting economic confidence.

  • Labour's economic policies have created chaos in a short period, and if a recession occurs next year, the leadership cannot blame the previous Conservative government.

  • In September 2024, the economy actually contracted by 0.1%, raising concerns about a potential technical recession in 2025 if negative growth continues.

  • The UK's GDP growth was only 0.1% from July 1 to September 30, 2024, a stark decline from 0.7% in the previous quarter, making the UK the second worst performer in the G7.

  • The threat of tax hikes and spending cuts in the Autumn Budget on October 30 led to widespread panic, resulting in businesses halting investments and consumers cutting spending.

  • Reeves implemented a £40 billion tax increase, including a £25 billion hike on employers' National Insurance, prompting major businesses to warn of inevitable job losses.

  • Deutsche Bank estimates that 100,000 jobs could be lost due to the National Insurance hike, despite Reeves' previous promises not to raise taxes on working people.

  • The cost-of-living crisis is expected to worsen, aggravated by rising energy prices and tax implications for farmers that may threaten food production.

  • Inflation rose to 2.3% in October 2024, its highest in six months, with projections from the Bank of England indicating it could reach 2.5% by year-end and approach 3% after tax increases in April 2025.

  • Liz Truss was perceived as a worse leader but only lasted 49 days, while Labour's leadership under Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves is expected to continue until at least 2029.

Summary based on 1 source


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