Tag Archives: inflation

The Bank of England must share the blame for the cost of living

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Andy Frith

Many central banks now have “inflation targets” that they are required to meet, and such targets are set by the government. For the Bank of England, this target is 2%, and is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Some … Continue reading →

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Forward guidance

Posted on August 19, 2013 by philipholton

One of the notably sinister traits of a central bank is the act of collaboration (read, collusion) between countries: they can’t exist for long without it. It is therefore not surprising that when Ben Bernanke issued a statement linking future monetary policy … Continue reading →

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The subtle Cantillon effects of inflation

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Andy Frith

The biggest problem with increases in the money supply is not that it causes a rises in prices – that monetary inflation can cause price inflation – for this is what we would expect to happen in most cases. Rather, … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Andy Frith

That we are witnessing strange and dangerous deformations of the capitalist system, if we can still even call it capitalist, and that new bubbles are being blown everywhere, is not only evident by the increasingly grotesque dichotomy between a woefully … Continue reading →

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A better measure of inflation?

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Andy Frith

Via SaveOurSavers, there’s a new inflation measure published by Tullett Prebon, which claims to more accurately show the impact of inflation in the UK than the official CPI. CPI running at an annual rate of 2-3% doesn’t sound too bad, but … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Andy Frith

 If a ten pound note had shrunk over my lifetime in line with its purchasing power, I would need a magnifying glass to find it in my wallet. Simon Rose, Save our Savers

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Tautology and the bank

Posted on February 13, 2013 by philipholton

One of the major works of departing Bank of England Governor Mervyn King was the Inflation Report – a quarterly report on what inflation is and what caused it. It is here that economists earn their stereotype for obfuscation, blaming inflation … Continue reading →

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Argentina imposes supermarket price controls

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Andy Frith

The Argentine government is clearly getting worried about the effects of the constant money printing on everyday purchases: Today, in a futile attempt to halt inflation, the government of Cristina Kirchner announced a two-month price freeze on supermarket products. The … Continue reading →

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Is the Bank better off being independent?

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Andy Frith

In debates about central banking, it is not uncommon to hear views regarding the independence of central banks. How much control should a government have over the bank? Is the central bank accountable? Whose interests does it serve? I would … Continue reading →

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What does the Bible say about sound money?

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Andy Frith

The Bible doesn’t tend to be a common source today for discussions on economics, least of all central banking, but as a Christian, I wanted to see what it might have to say. There’s no verse that says “thou shall … Continue reading →

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