City lawyer urges the government to ‘take back control’ of the FCA May 2, 2024 A City lawyer launched an extraordinary call for the government to “take back control” of the regulator yesterday after Jeremy Hunt rounded on the FCA over its plans to name firms under investigation. The Chancellor told the FT he hoped the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) would “re-look” at its decision to make public the subjects of its [...]
Jeremy Hunt goes to bat for City firms with FCA ‘name and shame’ criticism May 1, 2024 Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, launched a rare broadside against the FCA over its name and shame plans
Why we should be cautious about rising business confidence April 30, 2024 A number of surveys have said that business confidence in the UK is on the up and the economy is set to rebound. But dig a little deeper, the news might not quite be as rosy as it sounds, Chris Dorrell writes
Natwest shareholders approve proposal to buy back 15 per cent of shares from government April 23, 2024 Natwest shareholders have approved the bank's proposal to buy more of its stock from the government to accelerate its privatisation, potentially leaving the Treasury with fewer shares to offer retail investors.
Why Jeremy Hunt’s hopes of another round of tax cuts look remote April 23, 2024 Although these figures do not directly feed into Hunt's fiscal headroom at the next fiscal event, it is a sign of just how little wiggle room the Chancellor will have to cut taxes.
Inheritance tax hits new record of £7.5bn as debate over reform swirls April 23, 2024 Like many other taxes, the government has frozen the thresholds at which inheritance tax applies, meaning more estates have been pulled into its orbit as asset prices have increased.
Government borrowing ahead of expectations in blow for hopes of tax cuts April 23, 2024 Jeremy Hunt has said the Conservatives will cut taxes again in the autumn "if we can", with some reports suggesting he's considering another 2p cut to National Insurance.
The IMF says the UK is primed to benefit from AI – the next government must not waste this opportunity April 23, 2024 The UK economy is uniquely positioned to benefit from the roll out of artificial intelligence. Politicians on all sides should be championing policies that help secure these benefits as soon as possible, Chris Dorrell writes
Peers call on regulator to halt ‘name and shame’ plans as City fury grows April 22, 2024 An influential group of peers has called on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to halt plans to ‘name and shame’ the firms it is investigating as fury over the proposals grows in the City.
Thames Water’s new business plan could see bills rise by over 40 per cent by 2030 April 22, 2024 Already in the hole for around £18bn, today's update brings the company's expected total cost for its 2025-2030 plans to £19.8bn