'Worst decade for UK productivity since Napoleon'

mrginge

GreatApe wrote: »

But why not look at it like this?

Given that the frame of reference being discussed is the last decade, then neither graph is appropriate.

Fella

So when Brown said he'd put an end to Boom & Bust.......

Tromking

Is this what happens when Tesco's tailor their staff attendance patterns to suit their workers claiming in-work benefits?
Just curious.

Thrugelmir

economic wrote: »

its difficult to stay away from the news/media. when you really think about nearly all of it is crap. i think its very bad for the mind and health to be reading the media at least on a regular basis. the crap that comes out from the media is very dangerous imo.

Be pointless having this forum if that were the case. Be nothing to debate. :whistle:

Tromking

Just asking again.
Does the state subsidising millions of part time jobs in the private sector with tax credits etc, effect productivity?

Tiners

Tromking wrote: »

Is this what happens when Tesco's tailor their staff attendance patterns to suit their workers claiming in-work benefits?
Just curious.

Bingo.

(If only it were just Tesco)

Tromking

Tiners wrote: »

Bingo.

(If only it were just Tesco)

So rather than UK productivity being a mystery, it should be called Government policy perhaps?

GreatApe

Tromking wrote: »

Just asking again.
Does the state subsidising millions of part time jobs in the private sector with tax credits etc, effect productivity?

Not by the definition of productivity used. Output per hour.

Someone working at tesco does not stack the shelves any faster or slower if there are tax credits or not.

You could try to make the argument that without state help the supermarkets would need to pay more but that is probably false. We could force the supermarkets to pay more by increasing the minimum wage. I would be in favor of that, increase the Min wage to £9.50 per hour today and then link it to average earnings. It wouldn't do much to improve productivity though. It would help those on Mon wage at the expensive of eberyone else but that's a price worth bearing imo

GreatApe

Tromking wrote: »

So rather than UK productivity being a mystery, it should be called Government policy perhaps?

If you like

But productivity is now as high as it has ever been. The only previous time it was this high was the peak of the last bubble just before the crash. If you want this high productivity badge to go to the Tories OK but I'd rather say it was more to do with business although the lower taxes probably did help somewhat

Conrad

Mass cheap labour immigration means business has avoided investing in technology and other productivity enhancements.


Also note we are a service based economy, productivity is harder to increase - you can only serve so many cups o coffee.


New farm machinery could enhance productivity if Farmers have less supply of cheap labour