The private sector has been sidelined on pensions policy

In recent years, pensions 'reform' has involved proposals to remove tax reliefs for pensions savers without any underlying systemic reform

According to some news headlines last week, Italy is in chaos because of its political impasse. Elections held there over two months ago have yet to result in a government being formed. There may well be political chaos, but I spent some time in Italy last month. Day-to-day life didn’t seem to me to be any more chaotic than usual.

Politicians and those who comment on them are capable of overestimating their impact ...