DEBATE: Should Hammond keep the Tory promise and increase the higher-rate tax threshold to £50,000? October 29, 2018 Should Philip Hammond keep the Tory promise and increase the higher-rate tax threshold to £50,000? Ben Ramanauskas, researcher at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, says YES. People earning £45,000 (the current threshold) can no longer be considered wealthy, particularly considering the high cost of living in our major cities. There is a housing crisis in the UK, [...]
Shadow Chancellor declines to put cost on massive renationalisation plans October 28, 2018 John McDonnell has refused to put a cost on Labour’s renationalisation plans, laughing off estimates taxpayers would pay nearly £200bn. Speaking to Andrew Marr, the shadow chancellor said a Labour government would give shareholders whatever parliament decided. However, he said the government would pay close to the value of companies like Royal Mail to take [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond says the UK will ‘strike out in a new direction’ in the event of a no deal Brexit October 28, 2018 Chancellor Philip Hammond delivers his latest Budget tomorrow, but has warned that he will be forced to take an entirely different approach if the UK and the European Union fail to agree a Brexit deal. Hammond said earlier today he would use fiscal buffers to boost the economy under a no deal scenario and "strike [...]
What to expect from chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget October 28, 2018 Ahead of tomorrow's Autumn Budget Morning Wire looks at the areas that chancellor Philip Hammond is likely to focus on in his last chance to tweak the UK’s fiscal regime before the Brexit deadline in March Roads Hammond is expected to announce almost £30bn for new road projects and repairs which will be partially funded [...]
The City helps fuel economic growth right across the country, so be wary of those who want to clip its wings October 28, 2018 One of the most pernicious elements of Labour's current economic platform is the idea that the City is entirely distinct from (and damaging to) the so-called real economy. Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell's stump speeches routinely contain attacks on predatory bankers, fat-cats and financial speculators. The labour leader also seems to have a personal vendetta against [...]
Politicians urge London Stock Exchange to cancel meeting with Saudis after Khashoggi killing October 28, 2018 Senior politicians have called on the London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) to cancel a planned meeting with Saudi officials amid the international fallout from the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Speaking to Morning Wire, shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable both urged the LSE to scrap an “Investing in Saudi Arabia” [...]
Hammond: No-deal Brexit could scupper the end of austerity October 28, 2018 Philip Hammond has warned that austerity will only end if the government can negotiate a Brexit deal with the European Union. The chancellor said plans to increase public spending may be dropped if Britain leaves with no deal. He said that Office for Budget Responsibility projections, which the budget is based on, assume Britain will [...]
Sadiq Khan urged to ‘get a grip’ on London transport as government bails out Crossrail with £350m loan October 26, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to “get a grip” of transport in the city after the government bailed out the delayed Crossrail project with a £350m loan today. Transport for London (TfL) said the money was needed to continue construction work on the delayed Elizabeth Line. In July, rail minister Jo Johnson announced [...]
Suspect arrested after pipe bombs addressed to Democratic senator and former intelligence chief intercepted October 26, 2018 A suspect has been arrested in connection with the pipe bomb campaign against prominent critics of US President Donald Trump. Federal authorities arrested a man in Florida, US officials say. The arrest comes hours after two further home made bombs addressed to former US intelligence head James Clapper and Democratic senator Cory Booker were intercepted [...]
Market falls: cause for alarm or calm? October 26, 2018 | City Talk Stock markets globally have been falling since the end of September. Economic worries including a potential trade war between the US and China, currency crises in Turkey and Argentina, debt problems in Italy and rising interest rates have seen stocks globally begin to fall from record highs. As the chart shows, since 31 August emerging [...]