IFS rejects Budget’s progressive claims June 23, 2010 THE Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) yesterday rejected chancellor George Osborne’s confident claim on Tuesday of a progressive Budget that would spread the pain across all sections of society but that the richest would contribute more than the poorest. James Browne at the IFS said yesterday that the fiscal consolidation measures announced by the coalition [...]
Budget score is 7 out of 10, say our panel June 23, 2010 GEORGE Osborne’s first Budget deserves a score of seven out of ten, our unique panel of London’s financiers and business professionals said yesterday. The City A.M./PoliticsHome.com Panel, which has been specially recruited to represent a cross section of London’s financial community, was also asked whether they thought the toughest fiscal consolidation in Britain’s peacetime history [...]
PM confirms public sector pensions cut June 23, 2010 THE PRIME Minister yesterday confirmed the pensions of existing public sector workers will be cut, as he defended the coalition Budget in a tetchy question and answer session with voters. Cameron said the bill for public sector pensions was too high and that schemes would become less favourable for existing members of staff as well [...]
THE TIPSTER June 23, 2010 TARGET A UK STOCKS RALLY ON THE FTSE 250 YESTERDAY’S sell-off could be another opportunity for investors to add to long positions of more UK-centric stocks. Following a Budget that was beneficial for UK companies, expect to see further gains, particularly given the announcement of a gradual reduction in corporation tax to 24 per cent [...]
THE BIG SQUEEZE June 22, 2010 Chancellor says steep hike in VAT to 20pc is unavoidable Banks relieved as £2bn levy is more lenient than expected Public sector braced for massive job losses as spending slashed Higher rate of CGT increased to 28pc – lower than feared Income tax break worth £200 for low and middle earners Headline rate of corporation [...]
At a glance: All the crucial points from Osborne’s emergency Budget June 22, 2010 THE ECONOMY/PUBLIC FINANCES • The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published fresh forecasts in light of the measures announced yesterday by chancellor George Osborne. • GDP growth will be 1.2 per cent in 2010, accelerating to 2.3 per cent in 2011, 2.8 per cent in 2012 and 2.9 per cent in 2013. The pace of [...]
Great progress on the deficit – but far too many unnecessary tax hikes June 22, 2010 WE?were told to expect a tough Budget, with lots of pain, and that was exactly what we got. Many of the policies announced were necessary; others, however, are clearly misguided. On balance, however, this Budget will leave Britain in a stronger position –?not something that could usually be said of the previous government’s efforts. George [...]
Labour goads Lib Dem MPs over VAT hike June 22, 2010 HARRIET Harman launched a scathing attack on the Liberal Democrats yesterday, claiming they had “sacrificed everything they ever stood for to ride in ministerial cars”. The acting Labour leader said George Osborne’s Budget would “throw people out of work” and hurt economic growth, as she sought to paint the Lib Dems as spineless coalition partners [...]
Coalition avoids capital gains revolt but tensions remain June 22, 2010 A COMPROMISE over higher capital gains tax has stopped a Tory rebellion in its tracks – but there is growing tension in the Liberal Democrat party over higher VAT. The coalition government yesterday increased the top rate of capital gains tax from 18 per cent to 28 per cent, a much lower rate than the [...]
Tame increase in CGT brings cheer to City June 22, 2010 CHAMPIONS of enterprise breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as chancellor George Osborne stopped short of fully bowing to Liberal Democrat plans to raise capital gains tax (CGT) in line with income tax. Osborne used his inaugural Budget to introduce a new 28 per cent rate of CGT for higher-rate taxpayers, effective from midnight last [...]