FTSE rises ahead of Osborne’s pre-poll Budget – London Report March 17, 2015 BRITAIN’S top share index edged higher yesterday to extend a recent rebound from last week’s lows, with gains coming in ahead of key policy announcements from the UK and the US. The FTSE 100 rose 0.5 per cent to 6,837.61 points, as shares of natural-resources producers ticked up and utilities pushed higher, led by a [...]
Budget 2015: It’s George Osborne’s narrative that counts, not the details March 17, 2015 All eyes will be on George Osborne’s Budget today. An immense amount of media attention and serious commentary will be devoted to it. But do Budgets really matter? How much difference would it make if successive chancellors simply did nothing, apart from indexing various allowances and benefits in line with inflation? From time immemorial, British [...]
New 12-sided pound coin unveiled by George Osborne ahead of Budget 2015 March 17, 2015 George Osborne will unveil the design of a new look pound coin which will be hitting people's pockets and purses in 2017. The unusual 12-sided shape is designed to combat forgeries better than the familiar smooth circle we're all used to – although, for those who may remember, it's been modelled on a threepenny bit. The [...]
Budget 2015 is all about that tax: Prepare for Osborne to say it every 31 seconds while wearing a blue tie, bookies predict March 17, 2015 It’s all about the tax in the upcoming budget. Chancellor George Osborne is expected to utter the word 108 times in his speech which is expected to last 56 minutes – or once every 31 seconds. That’s the predictions of spread betting firm Sporting Index when the chancellor takes the stage in the Commons for [...]
David Cameron agrees to TV debate: PM accepts broadcasters’ offer of one seven-way contest March 17, 2015 David Cameron has agreed to the offer made by Britain's broadcasters for a single seven-way election debate that will be held on 2 April. The contest will be a first in British broadcasting history. The Tories originally wanted a single debate in the week staring 23 March. However, the PM came under a barrage of [...]
Tesco share price slides as Sir Martin Sorrell confirms WPP’s Dunnhumby interest March 17, 2015 Sir Martin Sorrell, the boss of the world’s largest advertising group WPP, has confirmed the company is interested in buying Tesco’s data arm Dunnhumby. Speaking at the Media & Telecoms conference in London, Sorrell said he was interested in the business behind the supermarket’s Clubcard loyalty scheme which was essentially put up for sale in [...]
Nigel Farage: Those who can afford it should opt for private healthcare to relieve burden on the NHS March 17, 2015 Those who can afford to buy private healthcare should do so because they would help to relieve the burden on the NHS, according to Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Appearing on Tuesday's edition of the Daily Politics, Farage answered a host of questions on Ukip's policy platform, including healthcare. Farage emphasised that Ukip supported a National [...]
Lord Ashcroft marginals poll delivers bad news for Cameron’s General Election chances March 17, 2015 After two weeks of matching or overtaking Labour in the national polls, the Tories are hoping they will soon reach their much hoped for "crossover" moment, when they can consistently out poll Labour and build some momentum toward victory. But Tory peer Lord Ashcroft's latest round of polling from the marginal constituencies may dampen Tory [...]
Jean-Claude Juncker rules out major EU reform to prevent Brexit March 17, 2015 EU Commission President Jean-Claude Junker hopes to keep what he calls "down to earth Britain" in the EU but has dashed any hopes of major treaty change. Juncker ruled out a major reform of the European treaties to satisfy British demands for reform. Speaking at a conference he insisted he was "in favour of a [...]
Apprentices to get 20 per cent pay rise but George Osborne misses minimum wage goal March 16, 2015 Apprentices will get a 20 per cent pay rise this October, after business secretary Vince Cable won his battle to overrule the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendation of a 2.6 per cent rise in the minimum wage. By contrast, chancellor George Osborne has failed to meet his aspiration to hike the headline minimum wage to [...]