David Cameron’s tax freeze pledge: Tories will not raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT April 28, 2015 The Conservative party will today pledge a cast-iron guarantee that it will not raise the rates of income tax, National Insurance (NI) or VAT during the next parliament, should David Cameron be returned to Downing Street. A law preventing any increase in the three taxes – which account for over 60 per cent of tax [...]
Alliance Trust gets a year to show results as Elliott Advisors gives 12 months’ notice April 28, 2015 Investment firm Alliance Trust has been put on 12-months’ notice by activist investor Elliott Advisors to show results or be forced to change its strategy. In a vicious battle over the past month, both sides have been rallying support among shareholders, with Elliott pushing for three new directors to join the board, and Alliance [...]
Who’s the fastest City London Marathon runner? Capco star Andy Greenleaf steals a march on Mark Carney April 28, 2015 Who is the fastest runner in the City of London? The Capitalist has challenged City runners to beat the banker by submitting their Virgin Money London Marathon race times and we've already seen some pretty impressive times come in. Fit as a proverbial fiddle, Bank of England governor Mark Carney was commended for completing [...]
Alexis Tsipras defends Yanis Varoufakis and says Greece will reach deal with creditors by end of next week April 28, 2015 Greece is on the verge of securing a bailout agreement with its EU creditors, according to the struggling nation's Prime Minister. During an interview on Greece's Star TV last night, Alexis Tsipras said the final and most important stage of talks had been reached, and that an interim deal is likely to be achieved by [...]
“Flash crash” trader Navinder Sarao expected to return to London court tomorrow after failing to pay bail April 28, 2015 So-called “flash crash” trader Navinder Sarao is expected to appear in court tomorrow after failing to raise the bail needed to secure his release from custody. Sarao was arrested last week for allegedly manipulating the markets and contributing to the flash crash of May 6, 2010, which wiped billions off the value of US [...]
General Election 2015: David Cameron dismisses Russell Brand as “a joke” ahead of Ed Miliband interview April 28, 2015 David Cameron has called comedian-turned-political activist Russell Brand “a joke” and said the public should ignore his stance on not voting. Speaking at an event in North London, Cameron said he "profoundly disagreed" with Brand. "He says don't vote, it only encourages them. That's funny, right, it's funny. But politics and life and elections and [...]
Win or draw? Alliance Trust share price rises as Elliott Advisors withdraws resolutions – but gets two seats on the board April 28, 2015 Elliott Advisors will call this a win – Alliance Trust may settle for something rather less emphatic. The day before what was set to be a heated annual general meeting (AGM), the financial services company appears to have reached a truce with one of its largest shareholders by giving it two seats on the board, [...]
Yanis Varoufakis out, Euclid Tsakalotos in: Markets cheer Greek shake-up as maverick’s influence wanes April 27, 2015 Investors lifted markets across Europe yesterday as the Greek government decided to bulk up its bailout negotiation team and lessen the influence of maverick finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. The government will create a new political team headed by Oxford-educated alternate foreign minister Euclid Tsakalotos. Manchester University professor George Chouliarakis will also take a more central [...]
David Cameron says Libor scandal bank fines will help fund £200m apprenticeship plan for the unemployed April 27, 2015 David Cameron is to announce today a £200m fund aimed at creating 50,000 new apprenticeships for young unemployed people. Money from Libor fines is being used to create the three year fund, which is part of the Conservatives’ plan to abolish long-term youth unemployment, a spokesperson said. “It all comes back to our values: being [...]
Greece’s golden boy Yanis Varoufakis and his tragic fall from grace. It all started with a misjudged Paris Match photoshoot April 27, 2015 It all began so well for Yanis Varoufakis. When he was thrust into the spotlight in January as the finance minister of a near-bankrupt Greece, the motorcycle-riding academic was acclaimed by media and academics alike as being a new voice for a new era. They dubbed him a rock star economist for his leather jacket [...]