Govt defends unlimited City bonuses: ‘Finance jobs should be in London, not in New York or Paris’ September 26, 2022 The government defended its intention to lift the bankers bonus cap this morning, saying it wants to protect and attract job creation in the City and Canary Wharf, rather than other finance hubs taking over. “We want finance jobs to be here, to be in London, not in New York or Paris,” said Work and Pensions [...]
Truss’ migrant plan a welcome triumph for pragmatism over ideology September 25, 2022 On the face of it, you can see why those sitting in European capitals might scoff at Liz Truss’ plan to open up the door to higher migration in order to assist Britain’s growth push. After all, the vote for Brexit – perhaps not for its architects but unquestionably for many of those who put [...]
Liz Truss cost of living support fails to prevent new consumer confidence low September 23, 2022 Liz Truss’s cost of living support has done nothing to lift Brits’ optimism out of the doldrums, a closely watched survey published today reveals. Consumer confidence collapsed five points over the last month to minus 49, the lowest since research firm GfK started tracking the figures in 1974. The survey was carried out between early [...]
Bank of England shirks historic rate hike despite warning of longer inflation September 22, 2022 The Bank of England today shirked the biggest interest rate hike since the late 1980s despite inflation threatening to run hot for months. Borrowing costs climbed 50 basis points to 2.25 per cent, their highest since November 2008 and the seventh rise in a row, the Bank announced. Before the decision, City economists and markets [...]
Govt sets up two-phase approach to make City ‘most competitive place for financial services’ September 22, 2022 The UK Government has set-up a two-phase approach for the City of London in a bid to make the capital “the most competitive place for financial services in the world.” Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will unveil an initial set of reforms in his fiscal statement tomorrow, while presenting a more comprehensive package later this autumn. Government [...]
London’s FTSE 100 bumps higher after government halves firms’ energy bills September 21, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 bumped higher today as investors digest the details of the government’s energy support package for UK businesses. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.63 per cent to 7,237.64 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, rose 1.01 per cent to 18,714.67 [...]
Liz Truss tax cuts must be bolder to revive UK economy, Thatcherite thinks tank claims September 21, 2022 Liz Truss must be even bolder than cancelling the corporation tax rise to unlock the UK’s full economic potential, a Thatcherite think tank has claimed today. The prime minister’s chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, is expected to reverse the six percentage point corporation tax hike at this Friday’s mini-budget. The move will generate a 1.2 per cent [...]
Truss hires former energy exec as new business liaison head September 21, 2022 Liz Truss has hired former EDF Energy executive Michael Stott as new head of business liaison for Downing Street. Stott is to become Truss’s key leader of business relations and engagement strategy, Sky News learned today. He is replacing Alex Hickman who held the role for two years under Boris Johnson. The newest business figure [...]
UK government borrowing double than expected September 21, 2022 The UK government borrowed nearly double the amount than expected last month to fund the first stages of the cost of living care package, official figures published today show. Britain’s debt pile swelled £11.8bn in August, much higher than the country’s official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), projected £6bn at the March budget, [...]
Liz Truss planning to cut stamp duty as ‘rabbit’ in mini-budget September 21, 2022 Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng are planning to cut stamp duty as the ‘rabbit’ in forthcoming mini-budget. Britain’s new prime minister will announce plans in a bid to spur growth in the UK economy. Reported in the Times, Truss and her new chancellor have been working on plans for over a month, before she was [...]