CITY VIEWS: HOW DAMAGING WOULD IT BE FOR GEORGE OSBORNE IF THE UK LOST ITS TRIPLE-A RATING?
ROB HUNT | NEED TO KNOW NEWS
“I am still amazed that people take heed to what the ratings agencies say after 2008. I think a downgrade could affect the UK globally but everyone is in the same boat. The chancellor and the coalition government are doing what they can.”
SHAUN GORVIN | BNP PARIBAS REAL ESTATE
“I don’t think it would be damaging to him and I think it is unlikely we will lose the rating immediately anyway. Osborne inherited these problems. He is in a tough situation and has got to keep the market’s confidence.”
DEAN RICHARDSON | SSP
“It would damage Osborne’s personal credibility but more importantly it could have a negative impact on external investment coming into the UK economy. Our cost of borrowing could also increase as a result. However, I don’t think a downgrade to our triple-A rating is likely to happen.”