Coffee House Shots The Spectator’s war on government waste
Feb 13, 2025
Rachel Reeves celebrates her birthday amid mixed economic news, as the UK sees slight growth but the Treasury remains on high alert. Controversy surrounds the Chancellor as investigations into her expenses emerge. Meanwhile, The Spectator launches a new tool to expose government waste, including frivolous spending and questionable research grants. The discussions highlight the diminishing impact of economic news on public perception and the ongoing scrutiny of government spending practices.
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Stagnant UK Economy
- The UK economy grew by 0.1% in Q4 2024, narrowly avoiding contraction thanks to a better-than-expected December.
- This stagnation, reminiscent of 2023, presents communication challenges for the government.
Impact of GDP Updates
- Michael Simmons questions the impact of GDP updates, noting public habituation to stagnation.
- He observes that people are less excited about economic news from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Reeves' Expenses Investigation
- The BBC published a report investigating Chancellor Rachel Reeves' expenses at Halifax Bank.
- Reeves claims no knowledge of the investigation, raising questions about Freebiegate and her CV.