UK loses more billionaires than any other country Wealth The UK has lost the most billionaires of any country in the world in the last two years, fresh data has shown, exacerbating fears that Britain’s footloose super-rich residents would continue to flee the country if forced to pay a wealth tax. According to updated numbers from New World Wealth, the UK lost a quarter [...]
Higher tax ‘inevitable’ as PM makes defence spending pledge Economics Keir Starmer’s fresh commitment to ramp up defence spending to five per cent as a share of GDP by 2035 will almost certainly have to be funded by more tax hikes, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)’ Paul Johnson has warned. The government’s pledge to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence and a [...]
Council tax spike to pay for Reeves spending plans Politics Council tax will rise at the fastest pace in over two decades, fresh analysis has suggested, after a government document said it expected bills to rise to pay for local services. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has pointed to government documents published shortly after the Spending Review ended suggesting Brits will have to pay [...]
Starmer’s defence pledges will trigger a tax bombshell June 3, 2025 Here’s a cracker of a pub quiz question for you: what links mega-rich non-doms, nuclear-powered submarines, congestion in Wigan and the Bank of England’s former chief economist? The answer, as so often appears to be the case, is tax. On the day that Keir Starmer unveiled a Strategic Defence Review that calls for nearly £70bn [...]
‘Productivity argument’ against family firm tax breaks, IFS director argues February 25, 2025 There is a “productivity argument” against treating family businesses “generously”, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) director has argued, when asked about inheritance tax. Economist Paul Johnson addressed the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Westminster on Tuesday, which saw environment secretary Steve Reed’s speech interrupted by farming protestors, as well as NFU president Tom [...]
Autumn Budget 2024: Working people debate a ‘terrible illusion’, former Bank of England governor says October 27, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to increase taxes significantly in Wednesday's Budget, with reports indicating that she will raise £20bn by hiking employers' national insurance.
Long-time IFS director Paul Johnson to step down October 17, 2024 Johnson, who became Director of the IFS in January 2011, will take up the role of Provost of Queen's College, Oxford.
Tory leadership: Jenrick warns of ‘big task’ to restore economic credibility October 1, 2024 Robert Jenrick has warned it will be a “big task” for the next Conservative party leader to restore the party’s “economic credibility” following Liz Truss’s calamitous mini-Budget. The leadership candidate, speaking at a Q&A for party members at the annual conference in Birmingham, told the audience he was “not happy” about the current levels of [...]
Tax burden ‘will not fall in my lifetime’ warns IFS chief September 30, 2024 Over recent years the tax burden has climbed to a post-war high of 37 per cent of national income despite the attempts of the previous government to cut taxes.
Public sector pay rises could cost up to £10bn, economist warns July 20, 2024 Independent pay review bodies are reported to be preparing to recommend such an increase for teachers and around 1.3m NHS staff, according to The Times.