Thursday, May 21, 2009

April is the cruellest month

This is the core of the problem; the government has lost control of the public purse.

This chart compares just one month's fiscal deficit - April - over the four previous years. During the good times, the government ran up a surplus in April. Revenues were always higher than expenditures.

Things began to go pear-shaped in 2008, but even then, the situation was under control. However, in April 2009, the government ran up a deficit of almost ₤7 billion. As the chart so amply illustrates, this monthly deficit is unprecedented.

Finally, the credit rating agencies have woken up to this unfolding disaster. At last, they have realised that the truck is rolling down the mountain track, and there is no one in the driving seat.

6 comments:

  1. London estate agentMay 21, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Is it really that bad?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Things really are unravelling at the seams now aren't they......?

    ReplyDelete
  3. you are a naughty financial vixen, alice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UK Sovereign default, anyone?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I work for an international organisation: we are on stand by. UK the next Iceland?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Would that org.be Unicef?
    or,armed landlords without borders?

    ReplyDelete