Richard Partington
@rjpartington.bsky.social
Guardian Senior Economics Correspondent
UK budget watchdog in danger of strangling economic growth, says TUC boss
Paul Nowak says OBR should be modernised to ditch ‘hardwired’ support for austerity economics
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Paul Nowak says OBR should be modernised to ditch ‘hardwired’ support for austerity economics
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK budget watchdog in danger of strangling economic growth, says TUC boss
Paul Nowak says OBR should be modernised to ditch ‘hardwired’ support for austerity economics
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:13 AM
UK budget watchdog in danger of strangling economic growth, says TUC boss
Paul Nowak says OBR should be modernised to ditch ‘hardwired’ support for austerity economics
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Paul Nowak says OBR should be modernised to ditch ‘hardwired’ support for austerity economics
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
AI, Covid and taxes: what is behind steep rise in youth unemployment?
Last year’s employer NICs increase and a weak economy are adding to tricky conditions for young people
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Last year’s employer NICs increase and a weak economy are adding to tricky conditions for young people
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
AI, Covid and taxes: what is behind steep rise in youth unemployment?
Last year’s employer NICs increase and a weak economy are adding to tricky conditions for young people
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
AI, Covid and taxes: what is behind steep rise in youth unemployment?
Last year’s employer NICs increase and a weak economy are adding to tricky conditions for young people
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Last year’s employer NICs increase and a weak economy are adding to tricky conditions for young people
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Half of all UK jobs shed since Labour came to power are among under-25s
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Half of all UK jobs shed since Labour came to power are among under-25s
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Half of all UK jobs shed since Labour came to power are among under-25s
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Exclusive: David Blunkett warns Keir Starmer Britain’s youth are in danger of becoming ‘lost generation’ on his watch
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Amid disappointing UK growth, how can Rachel Reeves escape the doom loop? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Amid disappointing UK growth, how can Rachel Reeves escape the doom loop?
Stronger public finances require stronger economy, but large tax rises and spending cuts could squeeze activity further
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Amid disappointing UK growth, how can Rachel Reeves escape the doom loop? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Richard Partington
Bit of analysis from me - a key upside from busting the manifesto pledges is meant to come in cheaper borrowing, as bond markets buy into the budget. Wesgate makes that much harder, by amplifying fears about whether Reeves/PM can stick around to implement it: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Labour infighting puts chancellor’s budget plan to reassure bond markets at risk
It was hoped manifesto-breaking tax rises might bring down borrowing costs – but party turbulence is likely to spook investors
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Bit of analysis from me - a key upside from busting the manifesto pledges is meant to come in cheaper borrowing, as bond markets buy into the budget. Wesgate makes that much harder, by amplifying fears about whether Reeves/PM can stick around to implement it: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK unemployment rises to highest level in four years before budget
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK unemployment rises to highest level in four years before budget
ONS finds worsening slowdown in the jobs market, as HMRC reports falling number of workers on firms’ payrolls
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:07 AM
UK unemployment rises to highest level in four years before budget
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
The bond market is wrong. Reeves should not cut welfare to placate the City
- my comment in today's @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
- my comment in today's @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
The bond market is wrong. Reeves should not cut welfare to placate the City | Richard Partington
Keeping the markets on side is the chancellor’s priority but it’s not an easy task given their simplistic, misplaced views on welfare cuts
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The bond market is wrong. Reeves should not cut welfare to placate the City
- my comment in today's @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
- my comment in today's @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘A job is like finding a needle in a haystack’: how Dudley became centre of UK’s youth jobs crisis -
My feature from the Black Country in today’s @theguardian.com on how Rachel Reeves’s Budget must tackle rising youth unemployment
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My feature from the Black Country in today’s @theguardian.com on how Rachel Reeves’s Budget must tackle rising youth unemployment
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘A job is like finding a needle in a haystack’: how Dudley became centre of UK’s youth jobs crisis
Almost one in five school-leavers in West Midlands town are not in education, employment or training and chancellor is under pressure to deliver promised ‘youth guarantee’
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
‘A job is like finding a needle in a haystack’: how Dudley became centre of UK’s youth jobs crisis -
My feature from the Black Country in today’s @theguardian.com on how Rachel Reeves’s Budget must tackle rising youth unemployment
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My feature from the Black Country in today’s @theguardian.com on how Rachel Reeves’s Budget must tackle rising youth unemployment
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Richard Partington
Late to this but I really enjoyed talking with my old colleague Richard on how Brexit and the City has contributed to the UK's productivity problem:
‘The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s £20bn productivity headache
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s £20bn productivity headache
Poor output since the leave vote has landed Rachel Reeves with a bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Late to this but I really enjoyed talking with my old colleague Richard on how Brexit and the City has contributed to the UK's productivity problem:
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% ahead of make-or-break budget www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% ahead of make-or-break budget
Borrowing costs kept unchanged for second meeting in a row, with inflation at nearly twice official target
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% ahead of make-or-break budget www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Fixing Britain’s health-driven worklessness crisis will require employers to increase spending on workplace health to £6bn a year - landmark Mayfield review recommends:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Fixing Britain’s worklessness crisis will cost employers £6bn a year, report says
The Keep Britain Working review, created to tackle the rising tide of ill health pushing millions out of work, reported its findings ahead of this month’s budget
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Fixing Britain’s health-driven worklessness crisis will require employers to increase spending on workplace health to £6bn a year - landmark Mayfield review recommends:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s £20bn productivity headache
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s £20bn productivity headache
Poor output since the leave vote has landed Rachel Reeves with a bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
‘The money machine is misfiring’: City blames Brexit for UK’s £20bn productivity headache
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
How Brexit hit the London and UK finance exports - landing Rachel Reeves with her bigger-than-forecast budget spending gap
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis - my column in today's @theguardian.com on how the seaside council aims to turn the tide:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis | Richard Partington
The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords. Other local authorities should take note
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis - my column in today's @theguardian.com on how the seaside council aims to turn the tide:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Richard Partington
Just had a chat with Rachel Reeves in Washington. She:
- says taxes on wealthy will feature in budget
- wants UK bond yields back in line with rest of G7
- says OBR should have revised forecasts earlier
- promises continued investment, no return to austerity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
- says taxes on wealthy will feature in budget
- wants UK bond yields back in line with rest of G7
- says OBR should have revised forecasts earlier
- promises continued investment, no return to austerity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rachel Reeves says higher taxes on wealthy ‘part of the story’ for November budget
Chancellor hints at rises and calls out past ‘scaremongering’ over VAT on private schools and changes to non-doms
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Just had a chat with Rachel Reeves in Washington. She:
- says taxes on wealthy will feature in budget
- wants UK bond yields back in line with rest of G7
- says OBR should have revised forecasts earlier
- promises continued investment, no return to austerity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
- says taxes on wealthy will feature in budget
- wants UK bond yields back in line with rest of G7
- says OBR should have revised forecasts earlier
- promises continued investment, no return to austerity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Exclusive: Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say - a potential big concession as businesses lobby to water down the employment rights bill
“The unions will go bananas"
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
“The unions will go bananas"
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say
Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Exclusive: Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say - a potential big concession as businesses lobby to water down the employment rights bill
“The unions will go bananas"
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
“The unions will go bananas"
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Reposted by Richard Partington
How do you grow the country in every corner? Join us this afternoon for our final event at Labour conference with @mayorofwy.bsky.social @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social @rjpartington.bsky.social & our own Marcus Johns.📍15:45, Arena Room Dee, ACC.
September 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
How do you grow the country in every corner? Join us this afternoon for our final event at Labour conference with @mayorofwy.bsky.social @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social @rjpartington.bsky.social & our own Marcus Johns.📍15:45, Arena Room Dee, ACC.
Last year Labour love-bombed business with a ‘Davos on the Mersey’ conference.
This year bosses are disappointed, to say the least:
‘We are being run by student union politicians’
My feature: ‘A serious disappointment’: Labour’s challenge to rebuild City ties:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This year bosses are disappointed, to say the least:
‘We are being run by student union politicians’
My feature: ‘A serious disappointment’: Labour’s challenge to rebuild City ties:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Last year Labour love-bombed business with a ‘Davos on the Mersey’ conference.
This year bosses are disappointed, to say the least:
‘We are being run by student union politicians’
My feature: ‘A serious disappointment’: Labour’s challenge to rebuild City ties:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This year bosses are disappointed, to say the least:
‘We are being run by student union politicians’
My feature: ‘A serious disappointment’: Labour’s challenge to rebuild City ties:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reeves urged to take 2p off employee NI and add it to income tax in budget
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reeves urged to take 2p off employee NI and add it to income tax in budget
Resolution Foundation says move could raise additional £6bn a year and ‘level the playing field’ on income tax
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Reeves urged to take 2p off employee NI and add it to income tax in budget
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Exc: Labour must rethink its “arid” growth strategy to curb rise of far right, says Andy Haldane
The ex-BoE chief economist said populism was being fuelled by failure to raise living standards:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The ex-BoE chief economist said populism was being fuelled by failure to raise living standards:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour must rethink growth strategy to curb rise of far right, says top economist
Former Bank chief economist Andy Haldane says left-behind communities need investment to stem populist tide
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Exc: Labour must rethink its “arid” growth strategy to curb rise of far right, says Andy Haldane
The ex-BoE chief economist said populism was being fuelled by failure to raise living standards:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The ex-BoE chief economist said populism was being fuelled by failure to raise living standards:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK inflation holds steady at 3.8% as fuel prices offset falling air fares
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK inflation holds steady at 3.8% as fuel prices offset falling air fares
Annual August rate released as Bank of England considers holding interest rate at 4% to tackle rising prices
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
UK inflation holds steady at 3.8% as fuel prices offset falling air fares
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Bank of England urged to slow bond-selling plan to help cut record UK borrowing costs.
Four ex-MPC members tell the Guardian that the BoE should scale back QT this Thursday amid febrile bond market conditions.
Doing so could have a benefit for Rachel Reeves
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Four ex-MPC members tell the Guardian that the BoE should scale back QT this Thursday amid febrile bond market conditions.
Doing so could have a benefit for Rachel Reeves
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Bank of England urged to slow bond-selling plan to help cut record UK borrowing costs
Ex-MPC members say ‘quantitative tightening’ should be scaled back or halted entirely, saving the Treasury up to £10bn a year
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Bank of England urged to slow bond-selling plan to help cut record UK borrowing costs.
Four ex-MPC members tell the Guardian that the BoE should scale back QT this Thursday amid febrile bond market conditions.
Doing so could have a benefit for Rachel Reeves
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Four ex-MPC members tell the Guardian that the BoE should scale back QT this Thursday amid febrile bond market conditions.
Doing so could have a benefit for Rachel Reeves
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Labour urged to create ‘national occupational health service’ - www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Labour urged to create ‘national occupational health service’
Fabian Society argues service could keep more people in jobs and fix worklessness crisis driven by ill-health
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Labour urged to create ‘national occupational health service’ - www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Stagnant GDP shows scale of challenge for Rachel Reeves at autumn budget. My analysis on today’s snapshot:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Stagnant GDP shows scale of challenge for Rachel Reeves at autumn budget
Chancellor calls economy ‘stuck, not broken’ but there are signs her policies have added to the UK’s economic headwinds
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Stagnant GDP shows scale of challenge for Rachel Reeves at autumn budget. My analysis on today’s snapshot:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...