This isn’t 2009: Britain can no longer spend its way out of trouble | Phillip Inman

Boris Johnson's plan for expansionist borrowing is far less economically literate than Gordon Brown's was 10 years ago

When confronted with an uncertain future, writers who claim to have seen through a window into the next decade find it easier than usual to make the bestseller lists.

Some futurology books are gloomy and some are optimistic. Britain's prime minister probably did not read any of them before coming to the conclusion that a strong sense of belief and a sunny disposition could cure most ills.

Banks have the reserves to lend to small and medium-sized businesses: sadly, there are no takers