Autumn Budget: Philip Hammond glosses over gloomy growth November 23, 2017 There’s a wonderful clip doing the rounds of Australian MP Bob Katter answering a question on the country’s new equal marriage law. He’s all in favour of it – “let a thousand blossoms bloom,” he grins and chuckles, before his facial expression changes into one of fury as he quickly adds “but I ain’t spending [...]
DEBATE: Should Philip Hammond remain chancellor of the exchequer? November 23, 2017 Should Philip Hammond remain chancellor of the exchequer? James Baker, who sits on the board of the Tory Reform Group, says YES. The chancellor’s vision of Britain will resonate with voters across the UK, from small business owners to first-time buyers, many of whom will now be better off as a result of his measures. [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: The Budget was a valiant attempt at an impossible balancing act November 23, 2017 The chancellor was handed a tough challenge in his Budget yesterday by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Faced with a significant downgrade to the outlook for the UK economy in his first full Autumn Budget, he was left with scarce wiggle room if he wanted to stick to his promise of keeping public spending [...]
Whoever wins the London Stock Exchange row, shareholders will lose out November 23, 2017 A bizarre fight has started in the City of London, between the board of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) and Sir Chris Hohn of activist hedge fund TCI. Hohn has called an extraordinary general meeting to remove LSE chairman, Donald Brydon, and reinstate chief executive Xavier Rolet, who is due to retire at the [...]
The End of Cash? Beware sleepwalking into a world without hard currency November 23, 2017 As global wealth has accumulated over time, so the demand for hard cash has waned. A mere eight per cent of the world’s money is in notes and coins, according to estimates using World Bank data. Depending on where one looks, the days of physical currency seem numbered. In the UK, especially in London, cashless [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond pledges billions to build in the 2017 Autumn Budget but wonks warn over future of UK’s stagnant economy November 23, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday promised to turn Britain into a prosperous nation of homeowners, yet was rocked by a sweeping set of downgrades to the UK’s future growth prospects. Hammond used the Autumn Budget to abolish stamp duty for thousands of first-time buyers, and reveal £15.3bn of new funding to encourage housebuilding. “As we invest [...]
FC Basel 1, Manchester United 0: Jose Mourinho blasts wastefulness but absolves Daley Blind of blame November 22, 2017 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho blasted his side’s wastefulness after they succumbed to a last-gasp Basel winner and missed the chance to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. The visitors failed to conjure a breakthrough which their first-half dominance perhaps warranted and paid the ultimate price in the 89th minute [...]
CMC Markets chair expected to retire after almost 10 years on board November 22, 2017 The chair of spreadbetter CMC Markets is to step down after almost a decade at the company. Simon Waugh is readying to retire next month, according to Sky News. Waugh is to be replaced by James Richards, currently a non-executive director of CMC and chair of its remuneration committee. His background is in law and [...]
Qarabag 0, Chelsea 4: Willian double sees Blues cruise into last 16 and ease Antonio Conte fixture congestion fears November 22, 2017 Qarabag 0, Chelsea 4 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted his relief after victory over 10-man Qarabag confirmed the Blues’ place in the Champions League knockout stage and eased his fixture scheduling concerns. Two sumptuous goals from forward Willian and penalties converted by Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas in Baku ensured their progress from Group C [...]
Jason Robinson interview: I still don’t see Elliot Daly as a winger November 22, 2017 World Cup winner Jason Robinson believes Elliot Daly is better suited to playing at centre rather than his current position on England’s wing despite his try-scoring exploits against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. Wasps utility back Daly has been retained in Eddie Jones’s 25-man squad for the final clash of the autumn series against Samoa [...]