FITCH STRIPS UK OF ITS AAA RATING – Business Insider

http://www.businessinsider.com/fitch-strips-uk-of-its-aaa-rating-2013-4

Osborne told ‘lacklustre’ economy means austerity should be curbed as International Monetary Fund slashes UK growth forecasts for this year and next | Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2309828/Osborne-told-lacklustre-economy-means-austerity-curbed-International-Monetary-Fund-slashes-UK-growth-forecasts-year-next.html

Pound fears as current account deficit jumps to near 25 year high – Telegraph

A sharp fall in foreign investment income saw Britain’s current account deficit, or the balance between UK imports and exports jump to £57.7bn last year, from £20.3bn in 2011, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Despite narrowing slightly in the fourth quarter of 2012 to £14bn from £15.1bn in Q3, the deficit now represents 3.7pc of UK gross domestic product, and has not accounted for such a large share of GDP since 1989.

 

Pound fears as current account deficit jumps to near 25 year high – Telegraph.

Balls set for revenge as Osborne faces new failure on the deficit and debt

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/03/balls-set-revenge-osborne-faces-new-failure-deficit-and-debt

Triple dip recession fears after slump in manufacturing and Treasury orders ‘steroids’ for stalled bank lending scheme | Mail Online

Triple dip recession fears after slump in manufacturing and Treasury orders 'steroids' for stalled bank lending scheme | Mail Online.

Cameron rebuked over austerity claims – Telegraph

The Office for Budget Responsibility told the Prime Minister that it does believe that cutting public spending will reduce economic growth in the short term.

Robert Chote, the head of the OBR, contradicted a claim Mr Cameron made this week in a speech about the economy, in which the Prime Minister said the forecaster does not believe cuts are reducing growth.

In fact, as Mr Chote wrote, the OBR believes that cuts in spending and increases in tax will depress economic activity, meaning lower growth.

Cameron rebuked over austerity claims – Telegraph.

Vince Cable contradicts Osborne in call for more borrowing to ease bottlenecks | guardian.co.uk

Vince Cable has become the first cabinet minister to question George Osborne’s “plan A” economic strategy by suggesting that the Treasury should use Britain’s record low interest rates to increase borrowing as a way of stimulating growth.

On the eve of a speech by David Cameron on the economy, in which the prime minister is expected to criticise Labour for demanding increased borrowing, the business secretary said that greater public investment was “crucial” to reviving the economy.

Vince Cable contradicts Osborne in call for more borrowing to ease bottlenecks | Politics | guardian.co.uk.

Chancellor must ‘ease pace’ of austerity in wake of UK credit rating downgrade – Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9891209/Chancellor-must-ease-pace-of-austerity-in-wake-of-UK-credit-rating-downgrade.html

Britain’s credit rating downgraded from AAA to Aa1 – Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9889410/Britains-credit-rating-downgraded-from-AAA-to-Aa1.html

George Osborne’s pledge to cut deficit set to fail, warns OBR – UK Politics – UK – The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/george-osbornes-pledge-to-cut-deficit-set-to-fail-warns-obr-8505778.html