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An Assessment of Fiscal Rules in the United Kingdom

Author

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  • Mr. Michael Kell

Abstract

The paper assesses the United Kingdom's golden rule and debt rule against "ideal characteristics" of fiscal rules. It concludes that they are clearly defined; transparent in institutional arrangements and measurement; adequate to ensure sustainability; and strike a good balance between flexibility and enforceability. The rules could be strengthened by clarifying the benchmark embodied in the debt rule and the modalities of the "value for money" criterion for investment. Overall, the fiscal framework establishes the necessary preconditions for a credible fiscal policy, but the credibility of the rules could be undermined by the large gap between them and actual medium-term fiscal plans.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Michael Kell, 2001. "An Assessment of Fiscal Rules in the United Kingdom," IMF Working Papers 2001/091, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2001/091
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Achim Truger, 2015. "Implementing the golden rule for public investment in Europe," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 138, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
    2. Alexandru Minea & Patrick Villieu, 2009. "Investissement public et effets non linéaires des déficits budgétaires," Recherches économiques de Louvain, De Boeck Université, vol. 75(3), pages 281-311.
    3. Groneck, Max, 2010. "A golden rule of public finance or a fixed deficit regime?: Growth and welfare effects of budget rules," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 523-534, March.
    4. David Prušvic, 2010. "Evropská fiskální pravidla a jejich účinnost: prvních 15 let [European Fiscal Policy Rules: First 15 Years]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2010(1), pages 51-69.
    5. Marco Buti & Sylvester Eijffinger & Daniele Franco, 2003. "Revisiting the Stability and Growth Pact: grand design or internal adjustment?," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 180, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    6. Wolfgang Kitterer, 2007. "Nachhaltige Finanz‐ und Investitionspolitik der Bundesländer," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 8(S1), pages 53-83, April.
    7. Seppo Honkapohja & Frank Westermann, 2009. "Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomic Stabilisation in the Euro Area: Possible Reforms of the Stability and Growth Pact and National Decision-Making Processes," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Seppo Honkapohja & Frank Westermann (ed.), Designing the European Model, chapter 6, pages 177-228, Palgrave Macmillan.
    8. Popescu, Razvan-Florin & Prodan, Sergiu, 2010. "The analysis of budget rules and macroeconomic implications in several developed economies," MPRA Paper 25897, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2010.
    9. Kugbee S. James & Insah Baba, 2015. "Fiscal Sustainability in the Ghanaian Economy: A Fiscal Reaction Function Approach," Economy, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 2(1), pages 16-20.
    10. Sebastian Hauptmeier & Martin Heipertz & Ludger Schuknecht, 2007. "Expenditure Reform in Industrialised Countries: A Case-Study Approach," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 28(3), pages 293-342, September.
    11. Jonathan Portes & Simon Wren-Lewis, 2015. "Issues in the Design of Fiscal Policy Rules," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 83, pages 56-86, September.
    12. Groneck, Max, 2008. "A Golden Rule of Public Finance or a Fixed Deficit Regime? Growth and Welfare Effects of Budget Rules," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 08-7, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
    13. Ms. Keiko Honjo, 2007. "The Golden Rule and the Economic Cycles," IMF Working Papers 2007/199, International Monetary Fund.
    14. Frank Bodmer, 2006. "The Swiss Debt Brake: How it Works and What Can Go Wrong," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics (SJES), Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics (SSES), vol. 142(III), pages 307-330, September.

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