George Osborne’s great government sell-off: Taxpayers risk getting burnt as sun may yet shine on RBS June 10, 2015 So after almost seven years, the moment has arrived. The symbolic importance of George Osborne’s announcement last night that the Treasury is to begin selling Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) shares at a loss is hard to overstate. “I’m not interested in what is easy – I’m interested in what is right,” he told [...]
We can have sustainable debt without Osborne’s inflexible new surplus rule June 10, 2015 Last night, in a speech at Mansion House, George Osborne set out his vision for UK fiscal policy. “In normal times,” he said, “governments of the left as well as the right should run a budget surplus to bear down on debt and prepare for an uncertain future.” This will be cemented with a new [...]
What David Cameron’s guru Steve Hilton doesn’t get: You need to shrink the state to make it human June 10, 2015 Steve Hilton, David Cameron’s former chief strategist, recently published a new book, More Human: Designing a World Where People Come First. From a powerful mayor in every town to self-build housing, from radically new models of education delivery to “Patients Like Me” social networks in health, Hilton has whizz bang ideas across most public policy [...]
Mansion House Speeches 2015: What do the analysts think? June 10, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney have both said their parts at the annual Mansion House speeches, but what do the analysts think? New Budget surplus rule John Cridland, director-general at CBI, says the budget plan will be good for businesses: Business wants the Government to aim for an absolute [...]
Mansion House Speech 2015: Chancellor George Osborne will start government RBS sell off as soon as possible June 10, 2015 In his annual Mansion House Speech this evening, chancellor George Osborne announced that the government will begin to sell off its stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), even is it is at a loss. He said a “decision point” had been reached, and that it was in the interest of taxpayers to [...]
Mike Ashley steps down from Newcastle board after demanding Rangers repay £5m loan June 10, 2015 Mike Ashley has stepped down from the Newcastle United board of directors and will be replaced by newly appointed head coach Steve McClaren. Former England manager McClaren has signed an initial three-year deal with the Tyneside club, after being sacked as Derby County manager last month. By combining coaching duties with boardroom duties, McClaren will [...]
Bank of England Fair and Effective Markets Review: Tens of thousands more City workers to be covered by the senior managers regime June 10, 2015 The Bank of England (BoE) today unveiled a set of tough new market rules which will increase individual responsibility among banks' senior managers and lengthen jail sentences for market abuse. Read more: Why the financial system has the same qualities as cancer Recommendations from The Fair and Effective Markets Review include extending the senior managers regime [...]
How to be successful in business: Richard Branson offers two big tips June 10, 2015 Entrepreneur Richard Branson has shared two of his biggest tips for business success. In an interview with the leaders of the Renaissance Foundation, which aims to help young people reach their full potential, he said what he believes to be the most important qualities. Here's his view on what it takes to make [...]
Business sounds alarm over Osborne’s “fiscal straightjacket” June 10, 2015 A respected business body has criticised the Tories' plans for strict fiscal rules – expected to be unveiled at the Chancellor's Mansion House speech later today – saying "no government should put itself in a fiscal straitjacket". Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will use his major speech to the City to introduce a new law [...]
David Cameron claims that cutting corruption could boost global economy by £380bn per year June 10, 2015 Cutting corruption by just 10 per cent could boost the global economy by £380bn, David Cameron has claimed. Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, he addressed Parliament to inform MPs of his progress at the G7 summit held earlier this week. Read more: Corruption hits economic growth – and markets can do nothing to stop it The [...]