http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17008208

Some on the Australian section of this forum may not like this news but there you go. It's strange how some actually want their old home to suffer almost as if they can gloat and feel vindicated in their decision. Sad really.

They are simply reassurance seeking

I actually agree with you

Yes I agree, definitely a little sad though.

I agree completely, you are a man of rare insight and perspective.

You should write books.

Or something.

Yup, there speaks the voice of reason.

Avoiding technical recession isn't much to celebrate, really. There are mixed economic signals coming out of the UK, but at least they've been more positive recently. Let's hope the austerity measures won't scupper this too much, particularly on the jobs front.

That's what worries me too. Austerity is exactly the wrong strategy during a recession and I think it's the reason the UK's recovery is lagging so far behind America's. Let's hope the economy manages to make progress despite the government.

Americans would never agree to a policy of austerity in the first place.

There isn't a recession at the moment which is good thing. There are certainly some good signs coming through, service sector activity is strong and manufacturing is also improving. As well as that inflation has dropped again last month. It will be along road and many of the measures undertaken by the Government won't be popular.

Did you actually read this article?

"The CBI has predicted the UK will avoid a double dip recession, but two other surveys suggest the economy may worsen."

So it's nothing more than a prediction and others actually disagree with that prediction. Either way the economic outlook is grim.

My point was that there is always a survey or expert opinion that agrees with what you choose to believe. Being a glass half full type I choose to believe there won't be a double dip recession

Well, it looks like you were wrong.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17836624

The double dip recession was a guaranteed event once the Tories got in with their austerity agenda. You can't slash public spending in the middle of a recession. It's just plain stupid.

Originally I was in favour of a bit of austerity - spending seemed to have gone mad under Labour - but I've now changed my mind. I work in the public sector (forensics) and the budget slashing is just insane... too many decisions being made for money reasons only. No one I know at work feels like spending any money on anything, and if everyone feels like that then I don't know how the economy is supposed to start working again