Table of official economic forecasts:



April 9 Dec 10 March 17

Budget Pre-budget report 2004



GDP(pct)





2004 +3.0-3.5 +3.0-3.5 +3.0-3.5

2005 +3.0-3.5 +3.0-3.5 +3.0-3.5

2006 n/a n/a +2.5-3.0



Inflation - CPI



2004 n/a +1.75 +1.75

2005 n/a +2.0 +2.00

2006 n/a +2.0 +2.00





Current Budget

(bln stg)



2003/4 -8 -19 -21.3

2004/5 -1 -8 -11

2005/6 +2 -5 - 5

2006/7 +6 0 0

2007/8 +9 +4 + 4

2008/9 n/a +8 + 9



Net borrowing

(bln stg)





2003/4 +27 +37 +37.5

2004/5 +24 +31 +33

2005/6 +23 +30 +31

2006/7 +22 +27 +27

2007/8 +22 +27 +23



Household consumption (pct)





2004 +2.5-2.75 +2.25-2.75 +3.50

2005 +2.5.3.00 +2.25-2.75 +3.25

I think forecasting beyond 2005 is ridiculous because there are so many unknowns
Any opinions ?
rgds aj