The effects of slash and burn starting to show.

Conrad

worldtraveller wrote: »

I'm afraid to say that there is little, if any confidence in any world economy at the moment. Even China, which everyone keeps banging on about as being the great "provider" for us all, is heading for a hard landing IMHO, as I've been saying for months. Things are not looking good and I fear that there is certainly a lot worse to come before things even start to get any better and I think that's some considerable time away yet.

Great signature you got.

As for your post here, I think there are reasons for optimism going forward.

worldtraveller

Conrad wrote: »

Great signature you got.

As for your post here, I think there are reasons for optimism going forward.

Thanks! The signature's by Byron, but I was inspired to use it by one of my favourite recent films, "Into the Wild" (2007), which quoted the lines.

I agree, there are reasons for optimism, but improvement is some time out yet IMHO.

shortchanged_2

Conrad wrote: »

As for your post here, I think there are reasons for optimism going forward.

What reasons would they be Conrad?

shortchanged_2

All this I suppose brings me to the point that how do people still really think the UK economy can grow with the current economic factors facing us? Such as still above target inflation, high unemployment, decreasing household budgets (for the majority) and the situation in the rest of Europe.

daveyjp

Anyone would think this hasn't been seen before. Do any politicians study history?

chewmylegoff

shortchanged wrote: »

All this I suppose brings me to the point that how do people still really think the UK economy can grow with the current economic factors facing us? Such as still above target inflation, high unemployment, decreasing household budgets (for the majority) and the situation in the rest of Europe.

you opened up by criticising the govt for not having a plan to achieve growth, but now seem to be suggesting that it is impossible to achieve growth in the face of the global economic conditions.

if you are of the view that the economy cannot grow from here, then the only way "out" is to cut public spending by a lot, and in fact any government spending designed to encourage growth in such circumstances would be counter-intuitive.

shortchanged_2

chewmylegoff wrote: »

you opened up by criticising the govt for not having a plan to achieve growth, but now seem to be suggesting that it is impossible to achieve growth in the face of the global economic conditions.

if you are of the view that the economy cannot grow from here, then the only way "out" is to cut public spending by a lot, and in fact any government spending designed to encourage growth in such circumstances would be counter-intuitive.

Yes I agree with what you are saying.

The problem is that this government missed an opportunity by not doing enough early on, they never believed their plans would cause a recession. Now we are in recession it is going to be even more difficult to get ourselves out. Basically it is a nigh on impossibility to achieve infinite growth, there will always be glitches along the way, so now is the time to look at opportunites instead of blaming everyone else for their problems.

What I am concerned about with Osbourne and co is that they really don't have any ideas how to get us out of this mess. These so called hard decisions that Cameron talked about in his election speeches always seem to be backed down on. This is mainly the reason we are where we are now, it's all half hearted. They've basically created a double whammy by shooting business and consumer confidence to shreds, yet haven't often carried out what they have said they would.

Wookster

chewmylegoff wrote: »

you opened up by criticising the govt for not having a plan to achieve growth, but now seem to be suggesting that it is impossible to achieve growth in the face of the global economic conditions.

if you are of the view that the economy cannot grow from here, then the only way "out" is to cut public spending by a lot, and in fact any government spending designed to encourage growth in such circumstances would be counter-intuitive.

The reality is that the UK has record amounts of debt, real incomes have been squeezed by 10% over the last 5 years and our largest trading partner (and 25% of the worlds currency reserves) are about to fragment.

Each of these factors on its own could be a drag on growth but three all at the same time... and I'm sure my list isn't exhaustive.

CLAPTON

build some houses

creates work
produces properties that can last 200 years
people actually need them
people will actually pay for them
the multiplier effect may help stimulate other parts of teh economy

ChiefGrasscutter

Conrad wrote: »

YOU shop around for best value tyres etc, invaribaly made in places outside of this featherbedded greedy entitled population. Cant you see the irony nin this.

No, sad to say most people seem unable to.
I've been having the same discussion elsewhere on the web and people just dont seem to connect their purchasing decisions (ie made cheaply in China) with the how's and why's it is cheaper out there and that their actions are why jobs are going offshore.

Having worked in China (albeit quite a long time ago) it also seems bizarre to me that people are quite prepared to buy something made in conditions which if they existed in the UK the same people would be at the forefront of demands that it is unacceptable exploitation of labour/H&Safety etc.
Out of sight - out of mind I guess......