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Greg Ip of the WSJ cautions about thinking that the GDP growth of 3% is likely to be achieved with the Trump plan for a corporate tax rate of 15%. He says evidence from Britain and Canada- Britain reducing the tax rate from 30% in 2007 to 19% today, and Canada from 28% in 2000 to 21% in 2004- is disappointing. In Britain the increase in GDP averaged about 0.1% a year. Business investment increases with cut in corporate taxes, and the U.S. corporate tax rate is higher than other advanced countries such as Germany, yet GDP growth includes other factors, such as the business cycle, demographics, productivity growth, aging, technology, regulation, says Ip. It is better if the tax cuts are spread broadly over the population, and tax cuts are offset to a greater extent by savings in other areas, and that tax cuts promote productivity boosting investment, to create enough of a surge in growth above 2%.

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After the Epping protests on asylum seekers at hotels- 32000 asylum seekers housed in 210 hotels in UK- disturbing public safety, the UK Home Secretary is  in no mood to let illegal migrants disrupt the entire Labour program for reviving Britain's economy. Denmark is the model where Mette Frederickson has bravely fought the battle against illegal migrants and trafficking by smugglers of people across the Mediterranean and across the English Channel. Labour MP's in the north and northeast of England understand this with the option from UK Reform to end this whole thing about illegal migration altogether. Labour has to do soul searching on why it has taken so long to figure this out and why the plan to house immigrants in hotels was put forward in the first place and tougher action taken by Denmark for the last 8 years not adopted earlier. It shows a complete disregard and disrespect for the British system of parliamentary democracy of the 500 years or going back to Magna Carta itself, when the people of Britain and their public safety, their freedom to live in dignity without illegal migrants in their neighborhoods across Britain, is not respected by local and thenational government. This is something that even the people of India, of China, and other Asian countries, African countries, and Latin American countries who understand the contributions of the British parliamentary system to their own governance can readily grasp and respect- the freedom and dignity of the British people in their own neighborhoods to live in complete public safety. ...

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President Biden is moving forward a plan to setup a maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza and a pier where commercial ships can drop off humnitarian aid and food. The trip would take 28 hours from Cyprus and would be able to get in 200 trucks of aid supplies each day. The Qataris and UAE will also help with this plan and Israelis will cooperate. On the diplomatic front both the European nations, Britain and the US are working together to get Israeli cooperation. British Foreign Secretary Cameron met Benny Gantz. Earlier Gantz met with Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. Gantz is part of the wartime cabinet in Israel. The US and EU, Britain all now have serious differences with Mr. Netanyahu on putting the humanitarian situation first and foremost considering the situation in Gaza.

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This article in the WSJ remembers Prince Philip for his remarkable service during World War II, coming from a generation that sees the British struggle against Germany in World War II in almost mythological terms. Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth navigated both that period and the transition of the British Empire into free nations in Asia and Africa. The significance of this achievement is understated in America. It can only be fully appreciated in the nations of the British Commonwealth, for no other colonial nation has been able to make that kind of transition, not the Dutch in Indonesia, not the French in Algeria without war. Another significant achievement of that period was the sense of duty that pervaded Britain not only for this generation in Britain, but the generations that preceded it going back to the conflict with Napoleonic France and the British Navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson. It is forgotten that much of the sense of duty to country and the people, and one's fellow citizens, helped Britain prevail against Napoleonic France in the period around 1800. This shaped Britain and Prince Philip, and is also part of what India and other free nations in Asia and Africa can learn from. It is also what makes Global Britain not just a slogan but a way to bring together a partnership with UK, US, Australia, and India, the largest democracies with a common history. ...

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Labor party in UK gets 35% of the vote with Conservatives at 26% and Liberals at 20%, in Britain's local council elections. Other parties including the Greens gained 19% of the vote. There isn't much the Conservatives have done to help the British people meet the cost of living crisis. The economy is in worse shape and the country is not prepared to take on the climate change crisis. Britain gets closer to a general election.

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Simon Nixon says British prime minister, Cameron, has antagonized European leaders by making demands to protect Britain's financial industry. Ironically this happens as Britain was arguing for stricter financial regulation. Britain has been isolated and risks remaining on the sidelines from now on. Nixon says this starts a process that could lead to Britain withdrawing from the European Union.

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British prime minister Boris Johnson will visit India in January at the invitation of Indian prime minister Modi. It is the first bilateral visit of Mr. Johnson since taking office. Johnson says he really looks forward to the trip and delivering on the quantum leap to create jobs and growth for the two countries. He has invited Modi to the G7 Summit in London as a guest nation along with Australia and South Korea. Mr. Johnson will also host a climate change summit. This is the first visit to India by a British prime minister since John Major. Because of the historical relationship and the British Commonwealth of nations, and as leaders in the English speaking world, both countries have a lot in common. The parliamentary system India adopted comes from Britain. India's role in the Indian ocean as a maritime power alongside Britain and Australia also comes from the period when Britain was the preeminent maritime power in the world. Indian companies in UK have $41 billion pounds in sales and half a million British jobs come from Indian companies. India also is UK's biggest partner in pharmaceuticals, making 50% of the world's vaccines. ...

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A professor of economics of innovation and public value at University College, London, says one-off deals such as the one with Land Rover to produce electric car batteries is not an adequate response to the big industrial strategies of the US and the European Union. Mariana Mazzucato says in this Guardian article the UK's decision to leave the EU is costing 100 billion pounds in output. Of 100 leading Uk manufacturers about half say their suppliers in the EU are more cautious about doing business in the UK. She compares the US industrial strategy that combines public and private investment of $3.5 trillion over the next decade, and the EU's for $2 trillion with Britain's effort. She says of the UK that it has nothing like this and worse with austerity it is moving in the opposite direction. Another problem is the change in governments of the Tories and new industrial policy every time there is a new minister. Business investment in UK is 19% less than the G7 average. The civil service needs investment, as she says Britain has become addicted to outsourcing the core functions of the public sector. Mazzucato says the government for aid to the private sector should do what Germany and France have done to expect reduction in carbon emissions, or as the US has done with Biden's Chips Act of giving aid given that there are no share buybacks by companies.   ...

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It was a Labour government in 2005 that inroduced the rule that allowed a migrant who remained inthe UK for 5 years to be able to apply for leave to remain and to have path to citizenship. It is now 20 years since then and this has done  a great deal of damage in the UK as it faces divisions in society that affect the plans to improve lives of the people and invest in building infrastructure. European Commission of Humnan Rights also drafted these rights in wanton fashion not accepting the rights of any people in any nation to live in their own neighborhoods without what are called asylum hotels and migrants. Denmark had such laws before 2015. Denmark changed these laws, and the UK finally is set to change these laws that hurt growth and investment in Britain with unnecessary distraction from the task of building infrastructure and investing in public services from migrants illegally entering the country. Under the new rules in Denmark temporary residenc epermits are granted only for 1-2 years at a time, no permanent visas are granted. To gain permanent status one has to have full time job for several years and speak fluent Danish. Shabana Mahmood, the new UK head of the Home Ministry says-  “Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair: removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to their borders while providing refuge to those in genuine need. “That is why we will follow the Danish model to restore order and control to our borders.” Mahmood's position is supported by Green and Labour voters is shown More in Common polling. This is important for Labour to succeed. She says about illegal migrants and the strain on public services- “The levels of illegal migration are putting immense strain on our country, and our public services – creating division within communities across the country. “Illegal migration is undermining the contract between government and its citizens – eroding support for the asylum system entirely.” ...

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The Guardian makes this point about the food insecurity in Britain- food insecurity in Britain has been normalized over the last decade during which the incomes of the poorest households have been held down. If that is true of advanced countries of Europe and In America what hope does it leave for people in Africa and Asia, Latin America?

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In a decline in living standards for 9 months since March 2016, the longest stretch since 1975, UK household disposable income declined again in 2017. UK household's disposable income fell 1.4% on the quarter in the first 3 months of 2017, according to the Office of National Statistics. This decline for the third quarter in succession comes from weak wage growth, rising prices, and higher taxes. This also shows that Brexit has certainly not helped the British economy, and provides further evidence that it is hurting the British economy. With increasing uncertainty after the parliamentary elections, a weak government, serious questions about Brexit, further weakening of the annualized growth of 0.9% at this point is not ruled out by experts. One evidence about Brexit's impact- the steep decline in the value of the British pound since the June 23, 2016 Brexit referendum has accelerated inflation in May to 2.9%, significantly surpassing any slight growth in wages. This leaves Britain worse off than before, with the future uncertain under Brexit talks.  ...

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The Times of London reports on the decision by the Supreme Court of Britain that Boris Johnson abused his powers and acted unlawfully in suspending parliament. Separately BBC analysis shows that even though Johnson is relying on polls and planning to run people vs. parliament this means that its the courts as part of what he calls the establishment he is running against.  Nigel Farage called for Johnson's adviser Cummings to resign showing that the Leave campaign is not what it was when Britain voted to leave the EU in the first referendum on June 23, 2016, now over 3 years and 3 months since then.

 

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Chevron posts revenue of $247 billion in 2022 and profit of $35.5 billion. Profits are double that in 2021. High oil prices have increased profits for oil companies when households in the US and Britain are suffering the effects of inflation. President Biden has said the higher profits are "the windfall of war" when average American households are suffering the effects of higher energy prices. The Guardian has shown the increase in demand for food banks in Britain even from people working as nurses and teachers which has never happened in this way before with higher prices for energy and food following the war in Ukraine.

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French youth are an important part of the protests in France in extending the retirement age from 62 to 64 years. A neuropsychologist at a Paris hospital says "are there any social benefits they haven't rolled back," in this report in FR24. Youth feel that the reform asking workers to work longer in the current situation in France is basically unfair at a time when workers are facing a cost of living crisis and are just coming out of a once in a century pandemic. And with the stress on schools, hospitals and older people, the shrinking savings of workers and families as pandemic period benefits are being phased out. In the US and Germany there is support for working families during the cost of living crisis, much less so in France, and even less in Britain. France is facing protests and possible strikes, Britain has strikes across health, transport and education. 

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Another danger for Labour comes from Rachel Reeves being exactly the wrong attitude person for this time giving too much deference and authority to Office of Budget Responsibility, which was set up for austerity rules under John Osborne. It is not set up to give Britain the public investment in infrastructure that it needs today and its members thinking ios from that era. Labour Good Growth Foundation, Common Wealth and Labour group Progress are advising Labour party to change before it is too late. Langleben of Progress says-“The OBR was created for an era defined by austerity, and while it can clearly count the upfront cost of investment, it too often misses the long-term value, whether that’s a healthier workforce, better housing or modern transport." It now appears that Rachel Reeves is really the wrong person for the job of Finance minister and that Keir Starmer had another problem in addition to McSweeney, where he was stuck with 5 billion pounds cuts to welfare spending losing some of the Labour base to Greens, as seen in byelections and in polls showing a mere 18% approval rate for Starmer. It now appears that Yvette Cooper at Home Ministry stuck on the old asylum rules, Rachel Reeves stuck on the austerity period OBR assessments and making cuts in payments for Labour's base, and McSweeney with his lack of honest conviction to help Labour's base, Mandelson, were all the wrong people appointed to the wrong positions that risk's losing the base of Labour by fracturing it and sending it to Reform UK on immigration, on budget cuts to the Greens, and on a sense of lack of true conviction and sincerity to the Liberal party. ...

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Britain's plan for a green world include Boris Johnson's plan to invest 12 billion pounds to do this. Of this $2 billion will go into promoting cycling and walking. After his own conversion to exercize, into taking a run every morning, this comes with conviction. Some of this will go to setting up cycling paths and roads where bicycles are the main form of transportation. The ban on petrol or gasoline cars moves up to 2030 o accelerate the shift. More green space and parks, more trails for running, and less air pollution for better health.

The firs zero emission laung haul airplane is part of the effort and investment. 600,000 electric heat pumps a year, planting 30,000 hectares of woodland each year. Enough power from offshore windpower to provide electricity to every home in Britain by 2030. And gilts or financial instruments for Green financing in London as financial center by the Treasury department.

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University fees in Britain are set at 9250 pounds a year and millions of people have tens of thousands of student debt. The student loan book in Britain is already at 120 billion pounds and it weighs in heavily on young people starting life after college affecting the quality of life. 

The Green party says it will cost 40 billion pounds for waiver of recoverable student debt over 5 years. The Labour Party in Britain is looking at following the Green Party's support of writing off the student debt. Labour has said it will abolish student fees. Labour party's McDowell says the system was designed so that much of the student debt would remain unpaid and it is time to clear this and take this burden off the shoulders of young people. 

This would also give the economy a boost as young people are better able to afford basics such as housing, food and services after this is lifted.

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Lacking a vaccine mandate or serious protocols for coronavirus such as mandatory mask use and social distancing, schools reopen in Britain without the safety action taken in other European countries. Italy has clear vaccine mandate for teachers, France and Germany have mandated use of masks and social distancing action, Britain none of the above.

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Jeremy Hunt, head of the Health Select Committee and Health Secretary 2012-2018, says Britain needs to take up mass contact tracing as its next national mission. Britain he says has passed 20,000 tests a day for coronavirus. America has passed 150,000 tests a day. Both more than South Korea. What is missing when compared to South Korea and Taiwan is mass contact tracing.  The app TraceTogether is not enough, as it was used by only 20% of Singapore's population. Only South Korea and Taiwan are able to open up the economy, have workplaces and life function close to normal through extensive testing and mass contact tracing, with feet on the ground. This is the only path that has worked with South Korea successfully out of the lockdown. This means "feet on the street." Making these calls requires skills, getting information, getting cooperation, offering guidance, and ensuring people isolate themselves after contact with an infected person. Sometimes it is by phone and sometimes in person wearing full PPE. They need to be sensitive enough in talking to someone feeling ill and to see how home isolation can be achieved, who else the coronavirus infected person or someone in the chain of contacts has been in contact with. Mr. Hunt says no effort should be spared in doing this as the millions of jobs in Britain, of people without work, the economy, and the need for light at the end of the tunnel of lockdowns, requires a way out. A huge task but a lot of impossible tasks are being tackled in the health services. The resources of Britain, every spare civil servant, every administrator not working, every one who can do this, needs to be enlisted to do this. The same task needs to be tackled in America, and in other countries as a national mission. ...

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Hundreds more should expect to be arrested say police chiefs after the UK's riots following a children's theme party stabbing incident in Southport. Social media misinformation played a role in the riots and prime minister Starmer called this to the attention of the British people saying social media "is not a law-free zone." Britain's top prosecutor for the Crown knows a thing or two about the rule of law in Britain.

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Experts say there are only a couple of hundred high-integrity welders in Britain. Many manufacuring jobs go unfilled because of lack of skilled workers. Britain is trying to close this gap and reduce unemployment for young people by increasing apprenticeships in industry and worker training. The UK government allocated 1.57 billion pounds on worker training programs in 2013. Britain had 868,000 people in apprenticeship programs in 2013. EEF, a British trade group, says 80% of manufacturers have difficulty finding skilled workers with technical skills. Britain has done very poorly in the area of worker skills training according to the OECD. About 2.74 million new manufacturing jobs are expected to be created in Britain by 2020, of this 1.86 million will require engineering skills, according to EEF. A lot more needs to be done, as companies need to double the number of apprenticeships to meet expected needs.

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UK's National Health Service needs another 9 billion pounds just to carry on as before and Rachel Reeves is determined to get this. Opinion surveys show a large majority of 70% of people in Britain support this.

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Laurence Peter of the BBC News describes a meeting of EU leaders in December 2016. The new Europa building with its space egg shape will be the location of the next summit in 2016, adding to a sense of history that the EU idea has witnessed since the 1950's, even optimism about far it has come at a time of a few setbacks.  He points out that Theresa May was not without persons to talk to at the meeting, though some video clips showed her looking lonely. EU president Martin Schulz said he was emotional seeing students crying after the Brexit vote, but that it was time to find solutions and not be emotional today. Lunch was offered at the meeting by Spain and Portugal, to mark the 30 years since they joined. People forget how much the European Community meant to the two countries after decades of suffering under fascist dictatorships- it meant new hope and an opportunity to set things right. Problems facing the EU today include, the frustration at the carnage in Aleppo, Syria, how to deal with Britain and Brexit, setting up an asylum system that will work, dealing with Ukraine and Russia without making the situation worse, and remaining concerns about the Greece debt crisis. ...

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British prime minister Boris Johnson announces tough new measures that make it illegal to socialize in gatherings of more than six. This is an effort to fight a second wave of coronavirus in Britain. The government now believes that normal life will not return till spring and that "moonshot" mass testing will be needed to contain the virus. The new "rule of six" goes into effect in Britain on September 14, and anyone "breaking the rule risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested." Covid marshals will patrol city centres to split up large groups.

Schools workplaces and restaurants will be able to hold more than six people in total but they will have to be groups kept separate. The prime minister said it was needed to stop Britain from the exponential growth happening in France. He said "a stitch in time saves nine."

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A group in the Tory party of prime minister Johnson sees a bigger risk for Britain in allowing 35% content in nonsensitive parts of Britain's 5G network as approved earlier. Tory views have changed since the coronavirus crisis and after the U.S. government decision on May 20 to require a government approval before U.S. companies can sell any semiconductors made abroad with U.S. technology. The use of other alternatives increases the risk for Britain, say Tory MP's. The National Security Council met to reconsider the earlier decision and called for a reassessment.

Britain would be left out of the Five Eyes Club of intelligence sharing with the U.S. if it does not also exclude Huawei from 5G networks. Mr. Trump says the U.S. will not share intelligence with Britain if it continues with the earlier decision.