Debate for the future of HS2.

The debate over the value for money of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project has intensified in recent weeks, with both supporters and critics making their voices heard. Proponents argue that HS2 will bring much-needed economic growth to the regions it serves, while detractors claim that the project is too expensive and will not deliver the promised benefits. Despite these concerns, construction on HS2 continues apace, with work underway on several major infrastructure projects across the country. However, as the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the future of HS2 remains uncertain, but its impact on the UK economy will be felt for years to come.

One of the main arguments in favour of HS2 is that it will improve connectivity and reduce travel times between major cities. Travelling from London to Birmingham by train takes around two hours, but with HS2, this journey time would be reduced to just 49 minutes. This improved connectivity could help spread economic growth across the country, as businesses and workers can access new markets and opportunities more quickly. It could also make commuting less stressful for millions, reducing road congestion and improving air quality in urban areas. However, critics argue that these benefits are overstated, pointing out that many existing rail links already provide fast and efficient connections between major cities. They also question whether HS2's high construction costs can be justified given the uncertain economic climate post-Brexit.

www.sba.tax

Comments

Cloud Bookkeeping

US FED rate rise.

The US Federal Reserve officials have indicated that they plan to resume increasing interest rates to control inflation in the world's biggest economy. During the June meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee reached a consensus to keep interest rates stable for the time being to evaluate whether further tightening of policy would be necessary. However, the majority of the committee anticipates that additional rate increases will be required in the future. The minutes of the meeting have recently been made public. According to the minutes, most participants believed maintaining the federal funds rate at 5 to 5.25 per cent was appropriate or acceptable, despite some individuals wanting to raise the acceleration due to slow progress in cooling inflation. Although Fed forecasts predicted a mild recession starting later in the year, policymakers faced challenges in interpreting data that showed a tight job market and only slight improvements in inflation. Additionally, officials gr...

India- UK trade deal.

According to India's top trade official, talks with the UK regarding a trade agreement are progressing well, despite obstacles related to temporary work visas and the opening up industries like automotive and spirits. The Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, explained that India is seeking transition periods or greater market access in specific sectors due to its economy, which is slightly larger than the UK's and expected to outgrow it in the coming decades. If a trade deal is reached, it would be one of the most significant agreements for Britain since leaving the EU, and it would also be necessary for India, which surpassed the UK as the fifth-largest economy last year. Goyal stated that India aims to increase its economy from $3.5tn to $35tn by 2047, the country's centenary of independence. According to officials and diplomats in India, talks about a proposed trade deal may be finished by early September, just in time for the G20 summit in New Delhi. Nigel Hu...

EU business slide.

S&P Global’s flash eurozone composite purchasing managers’ index, a key gauge of business conditions for the manufacturing and services sector, fell 1 point to 47.1, figures showed yesterday. That is its lowest level since November 2020 and the fourth consecutive month below the crucial 50 mark separating growth from contraction. One of the few bright spots in the survey was that companies in all sectors reported a slight easing of cost pressures, price growth and supply chain constraints. However, prices charged for goods and services still rose at the sixth fastest rate since such data started in 2002. Jobs growth increased marginally from October but remained low compared with the past 18 months. Following a few months of falling price pressure in manufacturing and services, the October print shows an overall stabilisation said Jens Eisenschmidt, chief European economist at Morgan Stanley. However, German businesses, at the hub of Europe’s energy crisis, reported that manu...

Search This Blog