Budget ‘black hole’ is filling with rumour if nothing else…
This Wednesday, (November 26) the Chancellor will unveil her much-anticipated Autumn Budget and reveal her latest plans for filling the alleged ‘£20 billion black hole’ in the public finances. Or is it £30bn?
So what will be in Rachel Reeve’s Budget and how might it affect you? That is certainly the £20billion question because, as...
What the Chancellor should be saying in a pre-Budget speech…
We try not to do politics in these columns but following headlines suggesting Chancellor Rachel Reeves may well become the first to increase Income Tax in 50 years in fact (breaking manifesto pledges in the process), we had a little go at envisaging her speech before the November 26 Budget.
(The following is tongue in...
A message from the Chancellor…
Good afternoon. I have just returned from a relaxing and much-needed break which took us to bustling Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. Yes, I took the computer though the inbox defied my occasional review so apologies if you are still awaiting my reply!
I returned to an unexpected speech from our Chancellor. I should like to...
Uncertainty and wobbles on global stage
Some really positive news from the Middle East at last. Whatever you think of him, well done President Trump for being the catalyst – time to move onto Russia in earnest now. Let us hope that this awful conflict will also be over very soon now.
Sadly, economically at home, unemployment rises, wage growth slows,...
Oh what a show!
UK growth pains, our 40th and testimonials
Oh dear, so the latest UK economics’ figures for the month suggest there was zero growth (and also August’s government borrowing was higher than expected as well). As I have shared before, chancellors pre-spend their projection of economic growth’s increased tax revenues so when it doesn’t happen… and the flip side is then more...
Stamp duty shenanigans dent confidence
Interesting times with politics and Stamp Duty shenanigans. They all affect investor sentiment too and confidence and upsets are not helpful. I do feel slightly sorry for Angela Rayner on this one in that one relies upon those completing the process to know what Stamp Duty to pay but of course if they were...
Our 40th and great numbers
The UK Economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter – which is good news though some of it is clawing-back losses from before. However, the underlying trend shows very little improvement and as noted last time, the general employment situation is worsening.
In a nutshell (and stating the obvious), the more unemployed and the...
Rates cut, our 40th and Afternoon Tea
So the FCA is issuing a hefty fine of £46million on Mr Neil Woodford and his Company. He is being banned from senior management roles and managing funds for private individuals – ouch. He is appealing (or perhaps to the FCA (which is also investigating his latest unregulated investment tipping activities) is that he...