Ben Chu
@benchu.bsky.social
Policy and analysis correspondent, BBC Verify.
https://www.benchu.co.uk/
Author of "Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails", published May 2025
https://linktr.ee/exileeconomics
https://www.benchu.co.uk/
Author of "Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails", published May 2025
https://linktr.ee/exileeconomics
...yields now down a bit more - so far so good for HMT...
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
...yields now down a bit more - so far so good for HMT...
Why do we seem to find it so hard to have a rational conversation about how MUCH we pay in tax and HOW we pay it?
I'm exploring that in a new 3 part series for BBC Radio 4.
Episode 1 of The Tax Conundrum available here 🎧👇...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
I'm exploring that in a new 3 part series for BBC Radio 4.
Episode 1 of The Tax Conundrum available here 🎧👇...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Tax Conundrum - Episode 1: The Problem - BBC Sounds
What's wrong with our tax system?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
ONS UK population data... www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Estimates of the population for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
- Office for National Statistics
National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age and sex (including components of population change, median age and populatio...
www.ons.gov.uk
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
ONS UK population data... www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Data from Home Office on asylum claims...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Immigration system statistics data tables
Listing of the data tables included in 'Immigration system statistics'.
www.gov.uk
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Data from Home Office on asylum claims...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Data from Eurostat on populations...: ec.europa.eu/eurostat/dat...
ec.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Data from Eurostat on populations...: ec.europa.eu/eurostat/dat...
Data from Eurostat on asylum claims... ec.europa.eu/eurostat/dat...
ec.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Data from Eurostat on asylum claims... ec.europa.eu/eurostat/dat...
...And in terms of asylum applications per 10,000 people the UK is lower down, at 16 per 10,000 people in 2024...
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
...And in terms of asylum applications per 10,000 people the UK is lower down, at 16 per 10,000 people in 2024...
...I'd especially recommend episode 3 for the crucial political/media/public opinion context for that fateful election manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, which many say is at the root of the government's problems. 👇
bsky.app/profile/benc...
bsky.app/profile/benc...
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
...I'd especially recommend episode 3 for the crucial political/media/public opinion context for that fateful election manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, which many say is at the root of the government's problems. 👇
bsky.app/profile/benc...
bsky.app/profile/benc...
...For context the OBR's ready reckoner suggests 100 basis points (0.1%) on Gilt rates adds around £15bn to government borrowing in 2029-30
So today's market move alone (if it sticks) implies around £1.5bn extra borrowing in the final year of the Parliament.
obr.uk/ready-reckon...
So today's market move alone (if it sticks) implies around £1.5bn extra borrowing in the final year of the Parliament.
obr.uk/ready-reckon...
Ready reckoner - Office for Budget Responsibility
We have published our updated tax and spending ‘ready reckoner’ consistent with our March 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook. Our ready reckoner allows anyone to obtain quick, indicative estimates of th...
obr.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
...For context the OBR's ready reckoner suggests 100 basis points (0.1%) on Gilt rates adds around £15bn to government borrowing in 2029-30
So today's market move alone (if it sticks) implies around £1.5bn extra borrowing in the final year of the Parliament.
obr.uk/ready-reckon...
So today's market move alone (if it sticks) implies around £1.5bn extra borrowing in the final year of the Parliament.
obr.uk/ready-reckon...
....The data also shows a significant increse in the margins of non-supermarket retailers on fuel sales
November 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
....The data also shows a significant increse in the margins of non-supermarket retailers on fuel sales
...And here's the latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts for both.
Both measures essentially flat as a share of GDP over the Parliament.
obr.uk/data/
Both measures essentially flat as a share of GDP over the Parliament.
obr.uk/data/
November 4, 2025 at 6:32 PM
...And here's the latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts for both.
Both measures essentially flat as a share of GDP over the Parliament.
obr.uk/data/
Both measures essentially flat as a share of GDP over the Parliament.
obr.uk/data/