Motorists spared a fuel duty rise until at least 2015 December 5, 2013 MOTORISTS were given their now-traditional Autumn Statement present yesterday, in the form of a freeze in petrol duty until at least 2015. The chancellor axed a planned 1.61p per litre rise in the fuel duty escalator, which had been planned for next September. The move means the coalition has scrapped 13p per litre in fuel [...]
UK public sector borrowing falls in October November 21, 2013 In October the UK public sector borrowed £8.1bn – £200m less than in October 2012. October's figure puts the public sector net debt pile at £1.207 trillion, equivalent to 75.4 per cent of GDP. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that public sector net borrowing was £115bn in 2012/13, 3.5bn lower than in 2011/12. [...]
What you need to know before the open – 05/12 December 5, 2013 Markets await the Autumn Statement this morning, but it's unlikely to impact gilt yields, and we're not expecting a change in the Bank of England's rate decision, either. With 25 minutes to go the FTSE is forecast to start the day -10 at 6500. — David Jones (@DavidJones_IG) December 5, 2013 Japan's Nikkei [...]
Osborne: the UK is on the road to recovery December 5, 2013 CHANCELLOR George Osborne set out his plans for Britain’s economic future yesterday, offering cautious optimism about the state of the country’s finances. In his Autumn Statement speech, Osborne warned of the threat to recovery from those who would “squander the gains we’ve made”, adding: “Britain’s economic plan is working. But the job is not done.” [...]
Brand Index: Squeezed middle still unconvinced by economic upturn December 10, 2013 THE CHANCELLOR’S Autumn Statement, made last Thursday, was hailed in many quarters as a good day for George Osborne and for the government. But when we conducted an online focus group of people from the so-called “squeezed middle”, we found they are not yet feeling the benefits of growth. The picture they painted of their [...]
Osborne is using a brand new (and horrible) slogan December 5, 2013 We've heard it a couple of times already at the Autumn Statement – "Responsible recovery". It's a new addition to the arsenal of cringeworthy (and probably extensively focus grouped) slogans including "hardworking people" and "alarm clock Britain". Didn't take long for Chancellor George Osborne to also utter the critical "hardworking families" line.
Local councils get bigger slice of fracking cash January 12, 2014 SHALE GAS exploration was given a further boost by the government today, as local councils were told that they could keep 100 per cent of business rates from developed sites. The increase from the current 50 per cent figure could be worth up to £1.7m per year for a typical site, the government claims. “This [...]
Tinkling the ivories: (R)Ed Balls misses his Grade 3 piano exam December 5, 2013 MOVE over Miliband, there’s a new Red Ed in town. The shadow chancellor’s frustrations at George Osborne’s “good news” on the economy, were played out on his face when he addressed the House of Commons after yesterday’s Autumn Statement. His face took on a reddish hue – prompting a storm of comments on Twitter. But [...]
Any other business – 02/12 December 1, 2013 GEORGE Osborne might have bitten off more than he can chew ahead of Thursday’s autumn statement. The chancellor tweeted a picture of a new family member – a puppy called Lola, later tweeting, “Some early issues with toilet training … but we don't care. We love her.” So does The Capitalist, George.
It’s time for big Budget’s little brother December 4, 2013 WELCOME to the lighter side of the Autumn Statement. For those who aren’t satisfied simply listening to Osborne talk tax – this is the page for you. We’ll make sure you get the most out of the 45 minute speech. Or will it be 50 minutes? Or 55.5?. Hopefully, depending on what time you’ve picked [...]