OSBORNE TAKES FIZZ OUT OF THE CHANCELLOR’S DRINKS CABINET June 22, 2010 JUST six weeks into the new Lib-Con love-in, and the biggest mystery of the coalition has finally been put to bed. No, not how ultra-liberal Vincey is getting on with his toffier-nosed colleagues behind that pasted-on grimace, but whether or not Boy George is ready to join his predecessors in a cheeky Budget tipple. Seasoned [...]
Rail link and bookie set to be privatised June 22, 2010 THE High Speed 1 rail link, air traffic control, the student loan book and Tote, the national bookmaker, are among assets to be sold off by the coalition government. Chancellor George Osborne yesterday said it was high time to return the businesses to private ownership, a move that will generate billions of pounds to begin [...]
The Budget: What do you think? June 22, 2010 GEORGE Osborne yesterday delivered his debut Budget. Key measures included raising VAT to 20 per cent and cutting back on welfare provisions. The ambitious package contains the toughest raft of austerity measures in the post-war period. But will it be a success? Has the new chancellor done enough to plug the yawning Budget deficit? In [...]
Suarez crowns Uruguay group winners but beaten Mexico still reach last 16 June 22, 2010 MEXICO (0) VS URUGUAY (1) URUGUAY will meet South Korea in the last 16 after a header from striker Luis Suarez earned them victory over Mexico and top spot in Group A. Ajax hot-shot Suarez struck just before half-time when he nodded home Edison Cavani’s superb floated cross at the back post. Defeat was not [...]
Local authorities set to gain power as Regional Development Agencies axed June 22, 2010 Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the government bodies which work with local businesses to promote economic growth, will be scrapped as part of George Osborne’s austerity Budget. Nine schemes, covering each of England’s regions, got the chop through the public bodies bill yesterday as the new chancellor slashed fat from government spending. The coalition has pledged [...]
Game developers hit out after tax breaks scrapped June 22, 2010 THE video gaming industry hit out last night after the Budget unexpectedly slashed tax credits promised by the previous government. Former chancellor Alistair Darling had promised to move the sector into line with the film industry, which receives generous tax breaks, although the details had not been ironed out. Osborne said: “We will not go [...]
Green Investment Bank gets go ahead in Budget June 22, 2010 THE government pledged to flesh out its plans for a Green Investment Bank to encourage funding for low carbon technologies. The project, which was included in Alistair Darling’s last Budget, will attempt to remove barriers to an environmentally sustainable economy. The Budget report said: “The government will put forward detailed proposals on the creation of [...]
South Korea hold on to book place in the last-16 June 22, 2010 NIGERIA(2) VS SOUTH KOREA(2) SOUTH KOREA held on for a hard-fought draw against Nigeria to secure second place in Group B and a last 16 tie with Uruguay on Saturday. The Koreans have never progressed past the first round stage outside of their own country and were made to hold on for their lives as [...]
Royal Mail will receive cash boost June 22, 2010 George Osborne yesterday announced the government will seek a cash injection for the Royal Mail Group. The chancellor said he would press ahead with “long overdue” plans to attract private investment in the flagging institution. However, the announcement fell short of some predictions that the national postal service would be floated on the London Stock [...]
IPT hike branded a tax on the prudent June 22, 2010 THE higher rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) — which applies to travel insurance and extended warranties — is set to rise to 20 per cent from 17.5 per cent. In addition to this, the standard rate — which applies to most general insurance — will rise to six per cent from five per cent. [...]
