tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post1943246527780702166..comments2023-11-02T15:48:50.381+00:00Comments on UK Bubble UK Economy: Where did our factories go?Alice Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05753570123987780947noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-83845441122971740192008-04-08T10:33:00.000+01:002008-04-08T10:33:00.000+01:00Sadly the NuLabour vision for us all seems to have...Sadly the NuLabour vision for us all seems to have been that our national economy will be based on selling over priced coffee and property to each other rather than actually make anything to export...<BR/><BR/>The fragile house of cards is falling down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-88748122215496512008-04-06T12:10:00.000+01:002008-04-06T12:10:00.000+01:002007 was the first year since 1978 that we became ...2007 was the first year since 1978 that we became an oil importing nation - that's gonna have a big impact on balance of payments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-26721287503700767442008-04-05T22:21:00.000+01:002008-04-05T22:21:00.000+01:00We can't subsidise degrees for people who might be...We can't subsidise degrees for people who might become useful to the economy once they graduate.<BR/><BR/>That would be unfair to all the Gender Studies and Social Work majors.<BR/><BR/>NickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-44973757183317193962008-04-04T22:26:00.000+01:002008-04-04T22:26:00.000+01:00much as i'm happy to bash labour/blair/brown, i do...much as i'm happy to bash labour/blair/brown, i dont think blaming them for a manufacturing decline from 1997 is right. that was right around the time that the internet came onto the scene, increasing pricing transparancy and i'm sure making it easier to facilitate cross-border trade.<BR/><BR/>like Nick said, eventually inflation in india/china, and also falling wages and prices in the UK, will eventually make it worthwhile manufacturing in the UK. Just look at the US...much lower wages than the UK, and a weak currency, and many countries from europe are relocating to the US (esp car manufacturers) to make stuff. hence the (non-oil) trade deficit falling rapidly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-77156360257132379482008-04-04T19:25:00.000+01:002008-04-04T19:25:00.000+01:00What would we manufacture though? everyday plastic...What would we manufacture though? everyday plastic items such as toys, bins etc etc can all be produced in China at a much more competitive rate. Japan and Germany have more or less covered the car and electronic/mechanical engineering products. Green technology would be one market that could be exploited and perhaps incentives such as the abolishing of student fees for science based degrees could be offered. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps we could become the worlds entertainers, our leaders seem hell bent on making us a laughing stock so it wouldn't be too difficult.<BR/><BR/>Chefdave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-14670090336908597692008-04-04T18:42:00.000+01:002008-04-04T18:42:00.000+01:00Nick, pain, pain and more pain and then we will co...Nick, pain, pain and more pain and then we will competitive again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948538160252327076.post-18602652064230456182008-04-04T17:45:00.000+01:002008-04-04T17:45:00.000+01:00Eventually the UK will be competitive again for ma...Eventually the UK will be competitive again for manufacturing. Germany managed it. With the rampant inflation in India and China, they can't hold on to their position forever.<BR/><BR/>But it'll take alot of time and alot of pain.<BR/><BR/>NickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com