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This weekend the Chancellor is under severe scrutiny, from both markets and media. After the cost of long-term government borrowing had climbed to record levels, Friday’s _ Times _ headline

declared, “Rattled Reeves Searches for New Ideas on Growth.” It’s an apt observation. Labour’s grand promise of curing all of Britain’s ills by “growing the economy” is beginning to sound as

hollow as the Corbyn-era “magic money tree”. Economic growth isn’t something you can conjure from the Downing Street garden. Instead, it requires bold thinking and a willingness to

challenge conventional wisdom. Here are ten ideas to truly stimulate the UK economy and transform its trajectory. 1. SCRAP THE BANK OF ENGLAND BASE RATE; BASE LENDING ON PERSONAL RISK. The

Bank of England’s base rate serves as a blunt instrument for controlling borrowing and spending. By scrapping it and making lending decisions based on personal risk, we could unleash a flood

of capital into the economy. Similar shifts occurred when currencies became fiat in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to explosive growth in money circulation. This approach could revitalise

consumer confidence and drive economic activity while ensuring lending remains responsible. 2. FULLY DIGITISE STERLING WITHIN FIVE YEARS. Digitising the pound would curb tax evasion by

phasing out the cash economy. This move could drive a significant increase in tax revenues, enabling reductions in headline taxation to boost consumer spending and business investment.

Importantly, it would build upon London’s status as the global hub for FinTech innovation, ensuring international flows of investment into the UK economy. A fully digitised Sterling could

position Britain at the forefront of global financial modernisation, enhancing its competitive edge on the world stage. 3. TACKLE INFLATION WITH VAT MICRO-ADJUSTMENTS BY SECTOR. Inflation

doesn’t hit every sector equally, so why should we treat them all the same? The pub industry, with locals which sit at the heart of their communities but struggle to stay afloat, face

entirely different pressures from the booming grocery sector. VAT should be managed dynamically, adjusting by industry to stabilise the economy and encourage growth where it’s most needed.

This precision would allow the government to combat inflation while supporting struggling sectors. 4. INVEST BIG IN INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: AN INTEGRATED SOUTHWEST RAIL HUB, A

TRANS-PENNINE EXPRESS, AND A STRATHCLYDE LINK. Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. Projects such as an integrated Southwest rail hub, the Trans-Pennine Express, and a

Strathclyde link could foster regional growth, boost connectivity, and decentralise economic activity from London. Ensuring 90% of households are within three-quarters of an hour from seven

million others via public transport would create hubs of innovation and economic activity. London’s integrated transport system and transport projects like the Oxford to Cambridge line

should serve as the blueprint for future projects—not expensive, inefficient schemes like HS2. 5. POSITION THE UK AS THE WORLD’S FIRST SERVICE-FIRST ECONOMY. Britain’s true strength lies not

in manufacturing but in services, where innovation and expertise dominate, from financial services to creative industries. Embracing a vision of the UK as the first service-first economy

would position us as a global leader in an era where knowledge and technology reign supreme. To achieve this, we must make the UK a magnet for international trade by eliminating or reducing

tax on international services. This bold step would attract global business, create jobs, drive growth, and cement Britain’s status as the preeminent player in the services economy. 6. A

FRESH LOOK AT EUROPE It may sound like a dull repetition of history, but the UK must secure an EU-Canada or Norway-style free trade agreement. Reeves and Starmer need to prioritise reducing

trade friction by aligning regulatory standards and offering concessions like market access while safeguarding key national interests. Pragmatism, trust-building, and a clear understanding

of shared economic stakes are essential to achieving a deal that balances cooperation with sovereignty. 7. LEGALISE RECREATIONAL DRUGS BUT TAX THEM HEAVILY. The war on drugs has failed. By

legalising recreational drugs and taxing them heavily, we could generate significant revenue for the Treasury while cutting off funding to criminal networks that fuel other illegal

activities like human trafficking. This approach also opens the door to better regulation and public health outcomes. 8. REVOLUTIONISE EDUCATION: TEACH QUESTIONING, NOT RULE-FOLLOWING.

Artificial intelligence is here to handle rules and processes. Human innovation comes from questioning, challenging, and thinking creatively. Our education system needs a complete overhaul,

moving away from rote learning to foster curiosity and critical thinking. This shift would prepare the next generation to drive innovation and keep the UK competitive in a rapidly changing

world. 9. MAKE PLANNING PERMISSION EXPIRE IN SIX MONTHS IF NO BUILD STARTS. The UK is plagued by stalled development projects that clog up planning pipelines. By making planning permission

expire after six months of inactivity, we can spur timely action, boost construction, and address the chronic undersupply of housing and infrastructure. 10. TAX INHERITANCE UNLESS FUNDS ARE

INVESTED IN LONG-TERM VEHICLES SUCH AS PENSION WRAPPERS. With baby boomers nearing the end of their lives, we are on the brink of the greatest intergenerational transfer of wealth in human

history. This wealth must be taxed unless it is invested in long-term vehicles like pension wrappers. Such a system would ensure financial independence for future generations, reduce the

state’s burden to fund retirement, and channel private investment into essential infrastructure projects. For those who choose to spend their inheritance on short-term luxuries, higher

taxation would ensure fairness while keeping the focus on building a sustainable future. The Chancellor and her team face a daunting challenge. The UK’s economy is sluggish, public trust in

government is at a low ebb, and promises of growth are proving harder to deliver than campaign slogans suggested. But these ten ideas could chart a bold new course for the country. Economic

growth isn’t magic—it’s about creating conditions where businesses, individuals, and communities can thrive. From modernising education and infrastructure to rethinking taxation and

regulation, Britain needs radical ideas to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It’s time to leave behind outdated approaches and embrace bold, innovative solutions. The question now is

whether Labour has the courage to think differently and unlock what John Maynard Keynes called the “animal spirits” of the economy —or whether Rachel Reeves will remain trapped in her iron

cage of tax, spend or slash. A MESSAGE FROM THEARTICLE _We are the only publication that’s committed to covering every angle. We have an important contribution to make, one that’s needed now

more than ever, and we need your help to continue publishing throughout these hard economic times. So please, make a donation._