Has Rachel Reeves talked the UK economy into a downturn? Economics The economy expanded just 0.1 per cent in the three months to September, below expectations and down from a 0.5 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.
Reeves warns financial regulation has gone ‘too far’ in pledge to unleash the City Investing The Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that financial regulation had “gone too far” last night as she pledged to rip up red tape and put the City watchdogs on a growth footing. In her maiden Mansion House speech in the Square Mile, Reeves said that regulatory measures brought in since the financial crisis in 2008 have [...]
Why Rachel Reeves’s pension reforms might not be as ‘radical’ as she thinks Economics While her changes may constitute the biggest overhaul of the pensions sector in decades, some in the City say the truly radical option remains firmly in the back pocket.
Let’s be honest… our pensions are not for politicians to play with November 14, 2024 The point of a pension is to provide the best possible retirement income for the individual, not to invest in Reeves’ favoured projects, writes Matthew Lesh.
Inside the ‘arms race’ for a private stock exchange – and why it’s dividing the City November 13, 2024 At a private workshop at the London Stock Exchange in September, a room full of investors and City bosses were split into separate groups and told to talk amongst themselves. Spread among them were officials from the Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange, scribbling down the thoughts of those speaking and [...]
Strong governments must be prepared to upset the markets (a bit) November 12, 2024 The bond markets are a potent opposition, but governments must be prepared to take risks if they are ever to reap rewards, says Charles White-Thomson With a large majority and an election years away, the Prime Minister and Chancellor likely don’t feel the need to worry too much about what the electorate think. But one [...]
What the City of London wants from Reeves’s Mansion House speech November 12, 2024 Treasury officials have been hitting the phones to City firms over the past two weeks as Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the government’s annual Mansion House speech to the financial services sector. The backdrop is a fractious one for the Chancellor. While the Labour party built cordial ties with the Square Mile in the run [...]
Labour’s farm tax is pure class war November 6, 2024 Socialists targeting landowners is nothing new, but don’t expect the countryside to take Labour’s punitive farm tax lying down, says James Price “Buy land – they ain’t making any more of it”. With apologies to the Dutch and their reclamation efforts, this has been solid investment advice for a long time. But that’s about to [...]
Budget 2024: Why the post-match politics are risky for Labour October 31, 2024 After months of speculation, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled Labour’s first Budget in power. Coming in the wake of 14 years in opposition, this big tax and spend – and borrow – document is very much an ideological project, with the NHS, schools and low-paid workers among the big winners. The Chancellor may have ditched [...]
Workers will bear the brunt of tax rises, OBR says October 31, 2024 Workers will end up shouldering the majority of the government’s national insurance hike, the fiscal watchdog said, as Rachel Reeves admitted that pay growth will suffer due to her tax plans. The Chancellor announced tax rises worth £40bn yesterday, making it the biggest tax-raising fiscal event since 1993. Changes to employers’ national insurance made up [...]