Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Per person, we’re spending less this year – even on this year’s much hyped Black Friday sales. If that continues over summer and inflation stays low, a rate hike in February 2024 looks unlikely.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, like other central bank heads, has been trying to see a way through a recent inflation crisis.
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo
The UK, eurozone and US inflation stories have diverged, which means each economy is now fighting a distinct battle with prices rises, which could require very different weapons.
The food theft crisis is framed as a threat to paying customers. This furthers the divide between those who can still afford groceries and those who cannot.
UK chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, with his 2023 Autumn Statement.
Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street/Flickr
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Australian financial markets are now pointing to a close to zero chance of further rate rises – with a fair chance of a rate cut next year. That’s thanks to the latest news from the US and UK.
A man butters a dinner roll as he eats a Thanksgiving meal at the Ottawa Mission in Ottawa in October 2023. Food insecurity is on the rise in Canada, particularly in households with children.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The persistence of food insecurity in Canada is a policy choice. By not doing more to improve the adequacy and stability of household income, governments are choosing to let food insecurity fester.
Inflation has slipped from 6% to 5.4%, but the price of petrol climbed 7.2% in the September quarter. Much depends on what the RBA thinks will happen from here on.
Pain, no gain? Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.
IMF
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Petrol prices have pushed inflation up. At its next meeting, the Reserve Bank board is going to have to decide if that warrants an increase in interest rates.
Radical conservative Javier Milei is ahead in polls to become next president.
EPA
Why is monetary policy outside the realm of politics? What are the social ramifications of our current monetary policy system? What alternatives exist?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy debate the finer points.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.