Autumn Budget: Philip Hammond glosses over gloomy growth November 23, 2017 There’s a wonderful clip doing the rounds of Australian MP Bob Katter answering a question on the country’s new equal marriage law. He’s all in favour of it – “let a thousand blossoms bloom,” he grins and chuckles, before his facial expression changes into one of fury as he quickly adds “but I ain’t spending [...]
DEBATE: Should Philip Hammond remain chancellor of the exchequer? November 23, 2017 Should Philip Hammond remain chancellor of the exchequer? James Baker, who sits on the board of the Tory Reform Group, says YES. The chancellor’s vision of Britain will resonate with voters across the UK, from small business owners to first-time buyers, many of whom will now be better off as a result of his measures. [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond pledges billions to build in the 2017 Autumn Budget but wonks warn over future of UK’s stagnant economy November 23, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday promised to turn Britain into a prosperous nation of homeowners, yet was rocked by a sweeping set of downgrades to the UK’s future growth prospects. Hammond used the Autumn Budget to abolish stamp duty for thousands of first-time buyers, and reveal £15.3bn of new funding to encourage housebuilding. “As we invest [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Where first-time buyers will find the biggest stamp duty savings after it’s scrapped on property under £300,000 November 22, 2017 First-time buyers are being treated by the chancellor to a helping hand (albeit small) when it comes getting on the property ladder. Philip Hammond abolished stamp duty on homes under £300,000 for them – something that is expected to help out 80 per cent of newbies. Halifax has handily calculated just how much first-time buyers [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Reactions to the chancellor’s statement from business groups and experts November 22, 2017 THE BUSINESS GROUP Carolyn Fairbairn, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) director-general “Against a sombre economic backdrop, the Chancellor today gripped the steering wheel on the UK economy. This is a budget that balances support for people on squeezed incomes with vital action to help grow the UK out of austerity. But delivery is everything.” She [...]
Autumn Budget 2017 at-a-glance guide: All the announcements by chancellor Philip Hammond you need to know November 22, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has unveiled the Autumn Budget, saying the UK must “seize the opportunities” for Britain and promised to invest “to secure a bright future”. Now we’ve heard plenty about what was expected from today, from a concerted focus on housing, to a regulatory revamp for driverless cars and a slew of tech spending. [...]
Stamp duty abolished for first-time buyers on purchases of up to £300,000 November 22, 2017 The government has used the Autumn Budget to abolish stamp duty for first-time buyers on purchases of up to £300,000. First-time buyers will also receive a stamp duty holiday for the first £300,000 on purchases up to £500,000. Read more: Come again? Two-thirds of Nimbys are worried about rising house prices Launching the policy, the [...]
How the Budget could affect your personal finances, and what you should do if it does November 22, 2017 Philip Hammond hasn’t got it easy. Putting a Budget together is difficult at the best of times, but with Brexit looming large over the UK, producing a financial plan for our economy is now a hell of a lot harder. In such an uncertain time, how can Hammond hope to offer the stability the [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech in full November 22, 2017 You can read the chancellor's Budget speech in full here: Mr Deputy Speaker I report today on an economy that continues to grow, continues to create more jobs than ever before and continues to confound those who seek to talk it down. An economy set on a path to a new relationship with our European [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Pressure piles on chancellor Philip Hammond to boost the Tories, save his own job and keep Theresa May in place November 22, 2017 Philip Hammond is facing one of the most challenging days since he became chancellor: unveil a radical, game-changing, vote-winning Budget with enough gimmes to appeal to the youth, while not spending money he doesn’t have or putting up taxes and alienating the party’s core voter. He must tread a tightrope today – one misstep either [...]