Graeme Roy Picture: Gordon Terris A FRUSTRATING aspect of debates about the economics of independence is their tendency to be insular. The popularity of different party policies, Scotland’s current implied fiscal position or the latest economic indicators, dominate commentary. Rarely does the debate look beyond the UK. In many ways, this is unsurprising. There are few precedents among modern advanced economies to match the scale of change independence would bring. But it is nevertheless important that we try to broaden our outlook. Last week, some colleagues from across the Irish Sea did just that. This month is the centenary of the political entity known as Northern Ireland. To mark this, the ESRC’s Economic Observatory published a series of articles from economists across the island of Ireland on the fortunes of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Compromise needed on NGC, Methanol Holdings gas price dispute
4 Hrs Ago
A 2018 photo of the Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited (MHTL) Complex in Point Lisas, Couva. - Photo by Jeff K. Mayers
April has only just begun but already its been a bad month for clean energy in TT.
First came news that Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Ltd (MHTL) – part of the Switzerland-based Proman group – has idled two of its plants.
This came after MHTL and the National Gas Company (NGC) failed to renew a contract for the continued supply of gas owing to a disagreement over price.
NCG cited confidentiality clauses and said it would honour other gas sales contracts with MHTL, while MHTL said it had reached “the absolute limit of our flexibility on contract price and the terms and conditions,” but would continue to engage with NGC and the government.
Graeme Roy: Crucial to scrutinise costs of politiciansâ election promises
Manifesto commitments only ever offer a partial picture of policy challenges facing whoever forms the new government Picture: Gordon Terris By Graeme Roy The election campaign is two weeks old and we have already seen a number of significant spending announcements from our political parties. Promises to extend free school meals, to double the new child payment or to introduce an NHS spending escalator are all worthy pledges. What is there not to like? But presented as they often are by each party – more money for the NHS, more money for schools or tax cuts for the economy – such manifesto commitments only ever offer a partial picture of the policy challenges facing whoever forms the new government after May 6.