What to do?

Covid-19 and Brexit present twin economic challenges for us to navigate. However, they are not the first and nor will they be the last difficulties that we collectively face. In this blog, I present some discussion of how we might optimally face this situation

The White Cliff Edge of Dover

Media reports suggest that Michel Barnier has confidentially informed MEPs that Brexit talks are now “frozen”[1] and preparations on the continent for a no-deal Brexit are being accelerated. This is in stark contrast to official UK government documentation, which claims that “A scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without agreement (a ‘no deal’ scenario) remains unlikely given the mutual interests of the UK and the EU in securing a negotiated outcome”[2]

How will we pay for it?

This is apparently the question on the lips of Treasury mandarins, according to a leaked document. Naturally, this has raised hackles across the political spectrum, with commenters aghast at proposals for renewed cutbacks to the public sector alongside mooted tax rises

Can we afford it (redux)

At some point, we shall emerge from this dark episode in history –one which has claimed over 350,000 lives around theworld so far, of which more than 10% are in the UK –as from a long winter. As we step out blinking in the summer sun, we must reflect on what kind of world we want to walk out into

The consequences of no deal

In my last blog post, I discussed the constraints facing the EU in negotiations over Brexit and concluded by expressing concern that the UK government has failed to adequately understand the domestic constraints faced by the EU. Similarly, as the Salzburg summit demonstrated, EU leaders at times misread the political situation in the UK and underestimate the challenges facing a government that is as deeply divided as the country at large. As such, whilst there now appears to be renewed optimism[1], the risk of a ‘no-deal’ outcome remains significant in spite of the fact that it is in neither side’s interest

The Other

The term “Brexit” now carries with it enormous emotional baggage. That’s certainly true for those of us who are directly affected by it. However, it’s also true for many across Europe. I have on more than one occasion come across the view that the UK (or, more pertinently, England) should be treated as hostile

The West Midlands and Skills

A great deal of our focus at the Centre for Brexit Studies has been on the myriad issues that might be raised by changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU post-Brexit. As might be expected, many of these are both hideously complicated and interlinked

Coronavirus and the economy: what can be done?

Or, more specifically, what can be done by government? I’ve spokenpreviously on this blogabout the ways in which government is fundamentally different to a household. However, the current crisis is very different to a normal recession (and Brexit is totally different again)

COVID-19: What will this mean for the UK’s economy & the Brexit process

Centre for Brexit Studies Researcher David Hearne has shared his thoughts and views on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the impact it could have on people’s lifestyle, as well as the UK economy and future

Day 5 in the Big Brother House

So, on Friday night our 6-month-oldspiked a mild temperature –38 ̊C, to be precise –which is hardly sky-high for an infant. As can be imagined, having a poorly baby is hardly the most restful of experiences and his mother and I are a little down on sleep! It is highly unlikely that this is Covid-19, but out of an abundance of caution, the entire family are now “self-isolating” for 2 weeks in line with government recommendations