@richardjmurphy.bsky.social In my limited grasp of MMT, a UK govt's (BoE-supported) increased spending is problematically inflationary if spent on some things, but not if it is spent on others (e.g. structural investments). Where do international aid and defence spending fit into this picture?

Badenoch: the UK should "live within its means." OK. Roughly translated, it means: "UK national economy = household budget." That tells us all we need to know about Badenoch's understanding of economics.

Is Labour comms disastrous or genius? Surely it's rubbish. NICs increase was part revenue-raising, part aimed at productivity (so, yes! - orgs feeling under pressure to do more with fewer staff, that's the general idea!). Investment in growth? Same plan (silently initiated) now ="futher and faster"!

Lots of jip for Rachel Reeves just now. Obvs, taking each in isolation: it would be better for her to spend more, tax less, and keep inflation low. Much criticism focuses on just one, ignoring the others. But is there a sensible critique saying what she should be doing instead across all 3 areas?

This weekend brought fresh opportunities to hear familiar complaints about the current UK Labour government: it must spend much more, and tax much less (and not increase inflation). Mmmm. Slightly less contradictory version: spend much more *on me*, and tax *me* much less. Still: Mmmmm.

3 chances for PhD funding in Philosophy/Ethics at Leeds. (1) White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) PhD studentships - home/intl. (2) School of Philosophy, Religion, and the History of Science (PRHS) PhD studentships - home/ intl. (3) IDEA Ethics Centre studentships - UK appls only.

Presidential pardons just shouldn't exist. And they shouldn't be used in suboptimal situations where they do exist. This is deeply disappointing from Joe Biden, who otherwise might be remembered as have done rather better than he's currently seen as having done.