Economy: Private Capital Investment

Lord Eatwell Excerpts

Tuesday 20th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, we are very interested in anything that keeps credit flowing. However, although my noble friend is very good at reminding us of that issue, we are getting a bit far away from fiscal measures.

[Lord Eatwell]

My Lords, I am sure that the Minister will agree with the noble Lord, Lord Empey, that, however low interest rates may be and whatever fiscal incentives may be in place, ultimately investment is determined by business confidence. Is he aware that the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales produces an index of business confidence? In its latest report, it says:

“The Confidence Index has suffered its largest quarterly decline since the survey began”.

The survey began in 2004. Is it not clear that the destruction of business confidence is the main outcome of the Government’s economic policies?