KPMG chairman: Four big ways we could really improve audit quality April 15, 2012 WHEN the European Union launched its plans to reform the audit market across 27 countries, the proposals referenced the word “quality” no less than 113 times. Robust audits were held to be the key to re-establishing trust and market confidence following the 2008 financial crisis. It seemed a laudable objective to ensure that auditors (alongside [...]
Jobs rise as confidence boosts hiring March 14, 2012 JOBLESSNESS fell again from its November peak, new data showed yesterday, but youth unemployment hit a new high. Unemployment stood at 2.666m in the three months to January, down 5,000 on the same period to December and 19,000 a month earlier, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed, though the changes are small [...]
Jobs rise as confidence boosts hiring March 14, 2012 JOBLESSNESS fell again from its November peak, new data showed yesterday, but youth unemployment hit a new high. Unemployment stood at 2.666m in the three months to January, down 5,000 on the same period to December and 19,000 a month earlier, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed, though the changes are small [...]
UTILISE WHAT GOVERNMENT ALREADY GIVES March 18, 2012 EVEN the staunchest opponent of George Osborne would have to concede that there is no silver bullet to reduce the deficit and boost growth that can come out of Wednesday’s Budget. So, what do we expect? Clearly some quick, high level cost-cutting measures. The personal allowance is already pledged to increase to at least £8,105. [...]
Greek-German threat to new tensions pose bailout deal February 13, 2012 POLITICAL grumblings in Greece and Germany cast doubt over prospects of a successful bailout agreement yesterday, marring the relief from an austerity deal passed by Greece’s MPs on Sunday. Despite parliament’s endorsement, the main party leaders must sign a pledge that they will stand by the measures if victorious in upcoming elections – one of [...]
MPs fear scandal if party funding rules are not altered fast January 29, 2012 THE GOVERNMENT must quickly implement new rules on political party funding, or risk a fresh scandal developing, a committee of MPs warned yesterday. The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee demanded quick action that would not favour any party over others – but acknowledged deep divisions remain even among its own members on the best course [...]
MPs fear scandal if party funding rules are not altered fast January 29, 2012 THE GOVERNMENT must quickly implement new rules on political party funding, or risk a fresh scandal developing, a committee of MPs warned yesterday. The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee demanded quick action that would not favour any party over others – but acknowledged deep divisions remain even among its own members on the best course [...]
A plan for UK growth needs more than warm words: An entrepreneur’s call to arms March 1, 2012 LIKE most entrepreneurs, I love my business and I want to grow it. It would seem, from all the government’s powerful rhetoric, that David Cameron loves my business, too. After all, the official line is that this is the year the government needs to unlock the creativity and entrepreneurial talent buried deep in many of [...]
50P tax rate goes at last March 22, 2012 GEORGE Osborne yesterday announced he was scrapping the 50p rate as he unveiled a raft of tax cuts for individuals and businesses – but he decided to stage a raid on pensioners, banks, buyers of £2m properties and other groups to fund his headline grabbing measures. In what he described as a Budget that “unashamedly [...]
What was in Osborne’s red box: our quick summary March 22, 2012 THE ECONOMY/PUBLIC FINANCES The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that UK GDP will grow by around 0.8 per cent this year, the same rate as in 2011, up from its earlier forecast of 0.7 per cent. The beneficial effects of falling inflation are expected to be offset by uncertainty over the Eurozone and tighter [...]