Philip Hammond’s virtue signalling on low pay is hypocritical June 7, 2019 Philip Hammond may soon be out of a job. In fact, I would be very surprised if he remains chancellor of the Exchequer for more than a day or two after our new Prime Minister is chosen. Hammond is fond of reminding his critics that his demise has been predicted before. Yet while the Tory [...]
Amazon hits back at Hammond’s digital tax with high street venture June 2, 2019 Amazon is launching a programme to help digital businesses find success on the high street, with a series of pop-up stores across the UK. The move follows comments from chancellor Philip Hammond that the tech giant and other online behemoths hold a “near-monopoly” over physical stores, contributing to retail's economic downturn. The e-commerce giant will open [...]
Ben Broadbent reappointed as Bank of England deputy May 31, 2019 Ben Broadbent has been reappointed to his role as deputy governor for monetary policy at the Bank of England by the government, the Treasury announced today. Read more: Bank of England: We'll hike interest rates after orderly Brexit It also announced the appointment of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary, Frances O’Grady, to the Bank’s [...]
Tories face worst election result ever as Brexit Party and Lib Dems surge ahead May 31, 2019 The Conservatives would fall outside the top two parties if a general election were held today, a new poll reveals. Read more: Which Tory leadership candidates favour a no-deal Brexit? The Tories would crash to third place with just 19 per cent of the vote, tied with Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party, a Yougov survey has [...]
It may not be Hammond’s cup of tea, but we deserve some tax-cutting champions May 31, 2019 I for one am thrilled to see politicians not just talking about tax cuts, but competing for the best policy to reduce a tax burden that is at a near 50-year high. Sure, it took a leadership contest to get them properly talking about it, but from the home secretary’s endorsement of the Adam Smith [...]
Tory leadership contest can spark a much-needed debate on the future of tax May 31, 2019 Should the Conservatives slash taxes? Social media star Liz Truss certainly thinks so, arguing yesterday that "taxes hold back growth, and by cutting rates in a targeted way we can turbocharge economic growth and boost wages so the overall tax burden falls." Her leadership rival Dominic Raab has also made headlines this week by pledging [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond vows to topple next Prime Minister to avert no-deal Brexit May 30, 2019 Chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted he could try to topple the next government if it meant averting a no-deal Brexit. Read more: Tory leadership race: Who are the leading candidates? Warning that “national interest trumps the party interest”, Hammond told Sky News he would back a no-confidence vote in the next Prime Minister to prevent [...]
Philip Hammond warns Tory leadership candidates against pursuing no-deal Brexit May 26, 2019 The Chancellor Philip Hammond has warned prospective Tory leaders not to ignore parliament by pursuing a no-deal Brexit. A number of leadership candidates, including bookies’ favourite Boris Johnson and former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab have made it clear they would walk away from negotiations and leave the EU without a deal on 31 October if [...]
Sterling falls below $1.27 for first time since early January as Brexit fears intensify May 21, 2019 Sterling has fallen below $1.27 for the first time since the beginning of the year as Brexit fears intensify. It comes as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to unveil her “new and improved” Brexit plan to her Cabinet this afternoon in a bid to pass a deal through parliament at the fourth time of asking. [...]
Two-thirds of small businesses say government is not on their side, new poll reveals May 16, 2019 Two-thirds of small businesses do not feel the government is on their side, a new survey has revealed in a report calling for a radical shake-up of the tax system. A YouGov poll for the Centre of Policy Studies think-tank shows 62 per cent of small business owners and managers don’t believe those in power [...]