Starmer prepares the UK for ‘painful’ budget
Sir Keir Starmer this morning declared that his government has accomplished more in seven weeks than the previous government had in seven years, as he delivered first keynote speech as prime minister. Laying the groundwork for a much trailed “difficult” budget on October 30th, Sir Keir addressed 50 voters – people he met on the […]
‘Rabbits’ and ‘traps’ – Jeremy Hunt set to deliver his 2nd full budget to the Commons
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his second budget to the House of Commons this lunchtime as speculation mounts that his statement will include further ‘rabbits’ beyond those already trailed. In what is likely to be the last set piece financial occassion before this year’s election, it has been widely reported that Mr Hunt will announce […]
‘The DWP’s excuses for benefit fraud don’t stand up’
Government’s financial statement delayed till 17 November
The chancellor Jeremy Hunt has this morning announced that the government’s proposed financial statement for 31 October has been moved back 2 weeks till 17 November. With the pound recovering in the foreign exchange markets and the cost of long term government gilts falling, the government now has greater breathing space with the financial markets […]
We cannot tax our way to prosperity
It’s a new year and a new start. No doubt everyone is hoping this year will be better than the last, especially Boris and his government after the past month. But while you might be feeling a little sore from last night’s festivities, this year’s hangover is going to last a lot longer. Trends come […]
Sunak discards austerity
The British economy has experienced a chequered time for much of modern history, with periods of growth followed by slump, positive boom in turn eclipsed by negative bust. The global economic crash of 2008, along with the overwhelming impact of the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, have evidently sent shockwaves through both domestic and international economic […]
Government bodies ‘exempt’ from health and social care levy
The Treasury has admitted that government bodies will be effectively exempt from a new tax hike, during a committee session on efficiency in government spending. Cat Little, director general public spending at the Treasury, told the public accounts committee that “government departments who are directly employing individuals who have to pay higher employer national […]
Spending review 2013: Cuts, cuts, and more cuts
Today Chancellor George Osborne revealed in the annual spending review the government plans for cuts, which hit most governmental departments
Answer the phone! HMRC spends £136m not answering calls
A new report by the public accounts committee (PAC) has revealed Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has cost its customers £136 million by not answering its phones.
Long-term gloom overshadows borrowing figures
A slight improvement in this month’s public borrowing figures has not been enough to shake off pessimistic forecasts about the prospects for the Treasury’s finances.
