Speech on the Autumn Statement 2018

13 November, 201815 November, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

My Lords, I welcome the general thrust of the Budget. As the OBR says, it represents the “largest fiscal loosening” since 2010. Noble Lords have suggested that the Chancellor is spending his windfall, but I mistrust the language of “windfalls”. Windfalls are only forecasts of revenue based on forecasts of growth; they are not there … Continue reading Speech on the Autumn Statement 2018

Brexit: Preparations and Negotiations

23 July, 201813 August, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

My Lords, it is very cold in this spot at the moment. That is a comment not on the Cross Benches but on the fierceness of the air conditioning—but I shall struggle through. I have heard with increasing incredulity the efforts of noble Lords in this House, some of them my good friends, to reverse … Continue reading Brexit: Preparations and Negotiations

Economy: Spring Statement

15 March, 20182 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

4.17 pm My Lords, in his Spring Statement, the Chancellor saw, “light at the end of the tunnel”.—[Official Report, Commons, 13/3/18; col. 718.] The light is pretty dim, and the tunnel has been much too long. The two are connected, the dimness of the light being largely the result of the length of the tunnel, … Continue reading Economy: Spring Statement

Economy: Autumn Budget Statement

4 December, 20172 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

7.47 pm Lord Skidelsky (CB) My Lords, I will concentrate, as is my wont, on the macroeconomic implications of the Budget. That is not to say that supply-side questions are not important—of course they are. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Maude, that a Government should not be exempt from the efficiency expected of … Continue reading Economy: Autumn Budget Statement

Economy: Currency Fluctuations

17 November, 20162 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

12.55 pm Lord Skidelsky (CB) My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, for making this debate possible. The most dramatic economic effect of the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote has been the collapse of sterling. Since June, the pound has fallen by about 16% against a basket of currencies. Mervyn King, the former … Continue reading Economy: Currency Fluctuations

Universities: Freedom of Speech

26 November, 20152 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

Motion to Take Note 1.07 pm Moved by Baroness Deech That this House takes note of the protection of freedom of speech in universities. 2.22 pm Lord Skidelsky (CB): My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, for making possible this debate. I shall draw your Lordships’ attention to two threats to free … Continue reading Universities: Freedom of Speech

Infrastructure Bill

18 June, 20142 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

Infrastructure Bill Speech, 18 June 2014 Lord Skidelsky (CB): My Lords, a Bill on infrastructure that is mainly to do with the rearrangement of Whitehall agencies and minor improvements in planning application procedures invites the question of what the relationship is between its provisions and the promotion of investment in infrastructure. My first point is … Continue reading Infrastructure Bill

Leveson Inquiry

11 January, 20132 May, 2018 ~ Robert Skidelsky

Leveson Inquiry Speech, Friday 11th January 2013 My Lords, almost everything that there is to say has already been said, not least by the noble Lord, Lord Prescott, so I will just concentrate on two points. First, there is the ingenuity of Leveson, which recognises that voluntary self-regulation via the almost toothless Press Complaints Commission … Continue reading Leveson Inquiry