Tourism: A tax for England
In August Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an English “tourist tax” on overnight stays as part of his devolution plans.
News/Views
Construction: Building barriers
Britain’s lack of capacity to produce building materials is a fundamental barrier to the government’s promise to build seven new towns...
Manufacturing: New London factory [print version]
It is not often you are cheered up by listening to the news nowadays but on 19 October BBC London news did just that when it reported on the glimmers of industrial regeneration...
Steel: More woe [print version]
The British steel industry has suffered a further blow with the liquidation of Liberty Steels Newport on 13 October.
Water industry failure and desperation
28 October 2026
During the dry summer, water companies and regulators launched a publicity campaign to reduce domestic water usage. But the companies themselves are the problem.
River Roding: dirty water
28 October 2026
The failure of privatised water companies seems unstoppable. Concerned local people try to take action, but run up against ineffective regulators.
Britain vs Houthis in Saudi
28 October 2026
The government has announced an expansion of its military support for Saudi Arabia. This marks further escalation in Britain’s entanglement in the Middle East.
Manufacturing: new London factory
28 October 2026
Recent new factory openings provide rare good news about London engineering – a glimmer of industrial regeneration.
Empty library shelves
28 October 2026
An academic study warns that England’s public library collections are being hollowed out. Yet public demand for books remains high.
The economic state of Britain
Many comments ahead of the Budget talk about the need to spend on defence and that welfare payments are unaffordable. The country’s finances are unsustainable, but not for the reasons government and economists say.
EU youth scheme: no benefit for Britons
27 October 2026
The prime minister says that youth mobility will be one of the top items at his EU summit in November. This isn’t good news for young British workers.