Chancellor George Osborne says he is “comfortable” with tax credit cuts October 22, 2015 Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne said this morning he is "comfortable" with his plans to cut tax credits, despite mounting pressure for him to U-turn on the proposals. “This is fundamentally a judgement call, and I’m comfortable with the judgement call that I have made, and that the House of Commons has supported this week,” Osborne [...]
EU referendum: Treasury Select Committee will review UK’s membership of the EU October 10, 2015 The influential Treasury Select Committee has launched an inquiry into the economic and financial costs and benefits of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union. The inquiry comes as a response to the government's commitment to holding an In/Out referendum on the EU by the end of 2017. Read more: Former executive chairman of Marks and [...]
This Autumn Statement could significantly change the UK state and the Tories’ fortunes November 23, 2015 For the third time in a year, tomorrow, George Osborne will take to the despatch box to deliver a budget or budget-like statement. We will be treated to a feast of announcements as the Treasury pontificates on just about every policy issue imaginable in its “Autumn Statement” – showing the huge governmental power hoarded within [...]
EU referendum: Lord Lawson to head up Brexit group Conservatives for Britain, warning negotiations will yield “wafer thin” reforms October 1, 2015 The former chancellor Nigel Lawson is to head up Conservatives for Britain, the campaign group that will advocate Britain leaving the European Union, in the run up to the forthcoming referendum. Lord Lawson, who is famously Eurosceptic, said while he "applauds" David Cameron's attempts to negotiate reforms with the EU, he expected the government would [...]
EU referendum: Three ex-PMs Tony Blair, John Major and Gordon Brown band together to fight for pro-Europe “In” vote with Britain Stronger in Europe campaign group October 11, 2015 Three former Prime Ministers have joined forces to fight for the UK's membership of the European Union, according to reports. Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will support the campaign to keep the UK part of the European Union, which is expected to be called Britain Stronger in Europe. Former Marks & Spencer [...]
Nigel Lawson: David Cameron “hasn’t got anywhere” with EU negotiations ahead of referendum December 7, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron “so far hasn’t got anywhere at all with his negotiations” on Britain’s membership of the European Union, former Conservative chancellor Lord Nigel Lawson told City A.M. Having last week accepted the position of president of Conservatives for Britain, Lawson added: “If he got those reforms then I would decide we should [...]
UK infrastructure is lagging behind on global value rankings October 19, 2015 The UK is falling behind in global rankings on its infrastructure, according to research published today. The value of Britain’s built environment – its buildings and infrastructure – is currently £3.1 trillion, the research from Arcadis, a consultancy, and the Centre for Economics and Business Research said. The UK ranks 13th against a host of other [...]
Chancellor George Osborne in bid to strengthen ties with China September 18, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne is due to announce plans for a "new era" of ties between the UK and China, as he embarks on a week-long visit to the world's second largest economy. Osborne will meet with senior ministers from the Chinese government, as well as senior Chinese business leaders, in a bid to open up billions [...]
EU referendum: Chancellor George Osborne says EU cap on bankers bonuses has been “entirely counterproductive” December 1, 2015 Speaking to MPs on the influential Treasury Select Committee, chancellor George Osborne has called the EU cap on bankers bonuses counterproductive. In response to a question from Conservative MP Mark Garnier, Osborne said: "The bonus cap to my mind has been entirely counterproductive, it has led to higher base pay within banks, it hasn't reduced overall [...]
Lord Lamont talks Osborne, Varoufakis and the EU referendum December 1, 2015 One wouldn't normally expect a former Conservative chancellor to agree with a controversial left wing ex-finance minister, but Lord Norman Lamont robustly defends his friend Yanis Varoufakis. “Varoufakis was disputing the rules of the European Union, rather than what they had discretion over, whereas the EU was responding by saying these are the rules; you [...]