February 10, 2025

Portugal caps rents, gives away vacant flats & suspends VAT on basic foodstuffs

By Kasija Milošević - Inflation is driving more and more unexpecting people into poverty. The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Greens nevertheless refuse to take action against the skyrocketing prices. The Portuguese government...

Tax cuts rumoured but the UK’s autumn statement will offer little economic comfort

Nick O'Donovan, Keele University - The UK chancellor’s autumn statement is likely to be relatively uneventful – yet extremely significant. Although some headline-seeking tax cuts are rumoured, sluggish economic growth and persistent inflation...

Successful Comebacks and Ongoing Struggles in South America’s Economy

As South America begins to emerge from the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, the region’s economic recovery has been a story of divergence — some countries are rebounding quickly while others continue to struggle with persistent roadblocks that stymie growth. Three of the continent’s largest economies — Brazil, Chile and Argentina — provide contrasting stories of recovery, influenced by particular challenges and domestic responses. In Brazil, the economic rebound has been no smooth ride. Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, was severely affected by the pandemic, experiencing a steep decline in GDP and an increase in poverty levels. But since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to power,...

Kenya and the US are negotiating a trade deal that could be a model for Africa – but its position on workers needs a rethink

Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile, University of Arkansas - The US and Kenya announced a trade and investment partnership in July 2022. Talks have been progressing...

The Body Shop was the scent of my youth – and it’s young people who could resurrect the brand

Caroline Spence, De Montfort University - I’m exactly the right age (46) to look back with nostalgia on the significant part that The Body Shop played in my teen...

Rent cap in Denmark: rents may increase by a maximum of 4 percent

Denmark introduced a rent cap. The rents were set to rise by 10 percent because they are linked to inflation—as they are in Austria. But the Danish government has removed this link in order to ease the burden on households: rents may increase by a maximum of 4 percent until 2024, and increases that have already been made must...

UK bonds have hit a 25-year high – here’s what that means for the economy

David McMillan, University of Stirling - It’s been more than a year since the UK economy was thrown into crisis after then-prime minister Liz Truss suggested making a wealth of unfunded tax cuts...

How to battle boredom at work

Casher Belinda, University of Notre Dame - Though neuroscience suggests that boredom can be good for us, we all...