Uncertainty over timing of UK announcement of Big Bang 2.0 financial services reforms October 17, 2022 There is now uncertainty over when the UK will unveil its post-Brexit changes to EU financial services regulations amid the current government turmoil. The Treasury said last month that former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng would announce the long-awaited reforms, which will include changing the EU’s Solvency II directive on insurance firms, in October. This target may [...]
Rees-Mogg opens talks with British Steel owner over bailout and jobs October 17, 2022 The business secretary has reportedly opened formal talks with the owner of British Steel about a taxpayer bailout and job cuts. As first reported by Mark Kleinman for Sky News, Jacob Rees-Mogg wrote to parent firm Jingye Group last week and agreed that British Steel would maintain its current operations and 4000-strong work force during the [...]
High-tax, high-drama, and out of ideas: Where next for the British economy? October 17, 2022 High-tax, high-drama, and impossible to predict: welcome to Britain in 2022. God help anybody trying to drum up foreign investment onto these shores at the minute. Forget being sure about what the tax code might look like in a year’s’ time – at the rate we’re currently moving, it’s hard to predict what it’ll be [...]
Mordaunt says Truss is ‘not under a desk’ as PM avoids parliament scrutiny October 17, 2022 A senior cabinet minister has been forced to say that Liz Truss is “not under a desk”, after refusing to face questions in the House of Commons. Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt answered an Urgent Question in parliament today from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, instead of the Prime Minister. Starmer said [...]
Chancellor Hunt creates economic council but insists new body will ‘not conflict’ with Bank of England October 17, 2022 The Chancellor has announced the formation of a new economic advisory council to provide “more independent expert advice” to the Government. Jeremy Hunt told the Commons he “fully” supports the “vital, independent” roles of the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility. However, he added: “But I also want more independent expert advice [...]
UK borrowing costs tumble after Hunt shreds Truss’s mini budget October 17, 2022 UK borrowing costs scaled lower today after new chancellor Jeremy Hunt ripped up prime minister Liz Truss’s tax cutting mini budget. The yield on the 30-year UK gilt, which has suffered heavy selling since the mini budget last month, fell around 40 basis points to 4.33 per cent. Rates on the 2-year and 10-year UK [...]
Lord Mayor’s show next month to combine 13th Century traditions with modern diversity of City October 17, 2022 Traditions dating back to the 13th century and a giant inflatable pig will feature in the historic 694th Lord Mayor’s Show next month. Up to 250,000 people are expected to cheer on a ceremony steeped in history on 12 November, as Nicholas Lyons marks the start of his time in office. The ceremony will bring [...]
Nadine Dorries calls for Boris Johnson to return as Prime Minister October 17, 2022 Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has the Conservatives should reinstall Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. The staunch ally of the ex PM took to Twitter ahead of chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s bombshell statement on Monday morning. Hunt announced the UK’s energy bills freeze will only be universal until April and binned the majority of Liz Truss’ [...]
Hunt ditches ‘almost all’ of Truss’ tax cuts as chancellor bins mini-Budget October 17, 2022 Jeremy Hunt has binned “almost all” of Liz Truss’ mini-Budget, while also announcing that the UK’s energy bills freeze will only be universal until April. The new chancellor confirmed more of Truss’ tax cuts have now been overturned – including the planned cut to the basic rate of Income Tax – in a bid to [...]
From Truss to Bailey to panicking MPs, the blame for this mess spreads wide October 17, 2022 Turns out the orthodoxy is stronger than ever Liz Truss or Kwasi Kwarteng realised. Already it appears government policy is headed towards higher taxes and delays to supply side reform. We have ended up back at square one, but with a discredited government and no obvious plan for the growth that the now-departed Chancellor rightly [...]