HS2 ‘will finish at Euston’ – but it’ll cost taxpayers another billion May 8, 2024 Taxpayer cash will be used to fund a 4.5 mile tunnel linking HS2 to its Euston terminus, breaking a prior government pledge to use private sector money.
Direct Line hikes prices as it tries to reassure investors it’s on track May 8, 2024 Insurer Direct Line has grown its written premium across its three main divisions as the firm looks to bolster investor confidence in its new turnaround strategy.
FTSE 100 closes above 8,300 barrier amid global rally May 7, 2024 London's FTSE 100 posted a new intraday record on Tuesday amid a global stock market rally driven by renewed optimism on interest rate cuts from major central banks.
Zilch doubles down on AI for buy-now pay-later domination ahead of planned IPO next year May 5, 2024 London fintech Zilch is ramping up its use of artificial intelligence to boost competition with rival buy-now pay-later (BNPL) providers like Klarna and help it achieve profitability ahead of a planned IPO next year.
FCA chiefs set for Westminster grilling over ‘name and shame’ plans May 3, 2024 The grilling will be the latest in a series of skirmishes between the regulator and Westminster after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt waded into the debate this week, urging the FCA to “re-look” at the measures.
Bank of England’s bond purchases could cost taxpayers £85bn April 30, 2024 Following the banking collapse of 2008, the Bank started hoovering up government bonds on the secondary market. The hope was this would lower borrowing costs and stimulate economic activity.
Digital pound could make Treasury billions from seigniorage revenue April 29, 2024 "The government looks set to receive a significant windfall from the introduction of a digital pound in the coming years, which doesn’t seem to have yet factored into debates over ‘fiscal headroom’," Simon Youel, author of the research said.
Natwest shareholders approve proposal to buy back 15 per cent of shares from government April 23, 2024 Natwest shareholders have approved the bank's proposal to buy more of its stock from the government to accelerate its privatisation, potentially leaving the Treasury with fewer shares to offer retail investors.
Why Jeremy Hunt’s hopes of another round of tax cuts look remote April 23, 2024 Although these figures do not directly feed into Hunt's fiscal headroom at the next fiscal event, it is a sign of just how little wiggle room the Chancellor will have to cut taxes.
Inheritance tax hits new record of £7.5bn as debate over reform swirls April 23, 2024 Like many other taxes, the government has frozen the thresholds at which inheritance tax applies, meaning more estates have been pulled into its orbit as asset prices have increased.