National government
President Bill Clinton's budget for 2000 would exceed statutory spending limits by $30bn, challenging the 1997 balanced-budget agreement between Congress and the White House. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the president's budget would also leave surpluses $73bn smaller than claimed over the next five
National government
Alan Greenspan, the Federal Reserve chairman, contradicted the Clinton administration's plan to invest a portion of public pension funds in the stock market, claiming that the plan would not produce significant financial gains. He stated that the financial benefits of investing in equities have been overstated and that
National government
France's Socialist-led government is facing mounting pressure from its powerful agricultural lobby as negotiations over the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform get underway in Brussels. French officials admit that farmers are in an "ugly mood" due to low commodity prices and fears of losing subsidies, which
National government
Nigeria's agricultural sector has been a stalwart for the country, accounting for 40% of GDP and employing 60% of the workforce. Despite experiencing growth in important food crops such as maize, cassava, and yam, the sector is under-exploited due to crumbling infrastructure, poor extension services, and inefficient distribution
National government
The creation of the euro has been a pivotal moment for France, marking the culmination of a decade and a half of economic planning. However, this success has come at a significant cost, with the French economy struggling to create employment and facing profound structural rigidities. The reduction in inflation,
National government
The European Central Bank's (ECB) definition of price stability, specifically an inflation target band of 0-2%, has been criticized for being too wide and potentially leading to an asymmetric monetary policy. This approach, coupled with the ECB's independence and accountability issues, has raised concerns about the
National government
The Commons foreign affairs select committee has published a scathing report on the handling of the Sierra Leone arms embargo by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The report highlights a series of failures and mistakes made by officials, including the permanent under secretary, Sir John Kerr, who is held
National government
Critics of the European Union's recent proposal for a single European army have voiced concerns that it would undermine national independence and sovereignty. The proposal, put forth by European Commissioner Emma Bonino, has been met with skepticism by many, who argue that it would require member states to
National government
NHS senior managers can expect pay increases matching those awarded to nurses and doctors, according to a confidential letter from NHS chief executive Alan Langlands. This comes as the government plans to introduce a single pay spine for nurses and new competence-based pay structures for all NHS staff. The letter,
National government
The British government yesterday announced a 4.1% average pay rise for 1.25 million public sector employees, including doctors, nurses, teachers, and members of the armed forces. This move signals a significant shift in policy, with the government choosing to implement the full salary recommendations of five independent pay
National government
The government's recognition of small businesses as key drivers of economic growth marks a significant departure from Labour's previous stance. As the owner of a small packaging business, it's reassuring to see that the government is now embracing pragmatism over ideological pursuits. This shift
National government
The Czech economy is struggling with a nearly 10% decline in retail sales, a 7.5% unemployment rate, and forecasted growth of less than 1% in 1999. The government's emergency moves to slow the economy after the currency crisis of May 1997 have stabilized the economy, but the
