Rishi Sunak does not back Joe Biden’s global business tax plan May 17, 2021 Rishi Sunak is withholding support for Joe Biden’s draft plan to implement a minimum 21 per cent global business tax rate, with the chancellor wanting more assurances on taxation on US tech giants. Sunak, who is chairing this year’s G7 meetings for finance ministers, has reportedly said he would only support a minimum tax rate [...]
In the lead up to COP26, ministers need to revolutionise procurement policies to meet net zero targets May 14, 2021 Boris Johnson’s bold aim to cut carbon emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 has cemented Britain’s commitment to address the climate crisis in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow later this year. Questions on delivery remain, however. While we await the Treasury’s much-anticipated Net Zero review, the UK needs to deploy a smart [...]
SFO launches money laundering probe into Gupta family over ties to Greensill Capital May 14, 2021 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said this morning it is launching an investigation into the Gupta Family Group Alliance. “The SFO is investigating suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering in relation to the financing and conduct of the business of companies within the Gupta Family Group Alliance (GFG), including its financing arrangements with Greensill [...]
David Cameron denies speaking to Lex Greensill about future job while Prime Minister May 13, 2021 David Cameron has denied he spoke with Lex Greensill about one day working for his supply chain finance firm while he was Prime Minister. Greensill, an Australian former investment banker, worked as an adviser in the Cabinet Office from 2011 while Cameron was Prime Minister. Cameron went on to work for now failed Greensill Capital [...]
David Cameron says he was paid ‘generous amounts’ by failed Greensill Capital May 13, 2021 David Cameron has told MPs today that he was paid a “generous amount” by failed Greensill Capital and that he did not think the firm was in trouble when he lobbied a slew of ministers and officials on behalf of the firm. Cameron told Westminster’s Treasury Select Committee that his almost 60 emails, texts and [...]
BoE’s Cunliffe sees strong case for UK digital currency May 13, 2021 Bank of England Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe today said he could see good reasons for the central bank to launch its own digital currency. Cunliffe said the Covid crisis had accelerated the shift away from ‘public’ cash issued by the BoE and in favour of ‘private’ money used for online payments. “We may not be [...]
UK GDP falls in Q1 but Sunak confident in recovery after March rebound May 12, 2021 Britain’s economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 2.1 per cent in March, picking up speed in what Chancellor Rishi Sunak expects to be a sharp economic comeback. The monthly growth beat economists’ predictions of a 1.3 per cent leap, the Office for National Statistics said this morning. “Despite a difficult start to this year, economic growth [...]
‘Can I give you lunch?’ David Cameron sent more than 40 messages to ministers and officials to lobby for Greensill May 11, 2021 David Cameron complained that a decision to exclude failed Greensill Capital from a government bailout programme was “bonkers” and “nuts” in a spray of more than 40 texts and emails to ministers and officials, new documents today revealed. Evidence compiled by the Treasury Select Committee for an inquiry show Cameron messaged ministers, Treasury civil servants [...]
Government outlines new voter ID law and plan to give PM power to call early election in Queen’s Speech May 11, 2021 The government has outlined its plans to force voters to produce ID at polling stations and to give the Prime Minister back the power to call early elections in today’s Queen’s speech. The Queen said a suite of new government legislation “will strengthen and renew democracy and the constitution”, including “to ensure the integrity of [...]
Analysis: Anneliese Dodds’ sacking was a long time coming May 10, 2021 Anneliese Dodds’ sacking last night makes her one of the shortest ever serving Labour shadow chancellors, after a little more than 13 months in the role. She impressed early on as she marked a clear tonal change from the far-left policies of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, before heavy criticism began to fall on her [...]