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Think Small - A blueprint for supporting UK small businesses
‘Think Small’ is a new report which looks to make life a lot easier for small companies. It is authored by Nick King, Head of Business at the Centre for Policy Studies. The report calls for the Government to adopt an emblematic policy to champion small and family businesses: the Simple Consolidated Tax.
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Are We Heading for Blackout Britain?
Earlier this month a ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances caused electricity prices to rise to record highs with National Grid close issuing an emergency ‘Notice of Insufficient Margin’ to call on extra power.
An ISA-centric framework beckons
The recent publication of the Savings (Government Contributions) Bill confirmed that the Government intends to press ahead with the Lifetime ISA, to be launched in April 2017. This is welcomed.
The City Boys are Here to Stay
The UK's strengths will mean that London continues to be Europe's leading financial services centre.
A licence to kill? Funding the BBC
On 1 September the BBC TV licence fee will be extended to the iPlayer. The licence fee is however bad for the BBC and bad for customers and it should be abolished.
The Independence Revolution must go on
The Government’s record in reducing dependency on the State is strong, but there is plenty more to do..
Apocalypse Soon? The Danger of Further Loosening Monetary Policy
The UK’s softening fiscal stance opens up the very real risk of a further loosening of monetary policy, whereby inflation is used as a way of dealing with the Government’s debts.
Scotland: Could it become Greece without the sun?
Scottish independence would entail significant economic risk. Scotland’s budget deficit is currently over three times higher than the UK average as a % of GDP.
The Pensions Dashboard
Fully functioning, the pensions dashboard could become the ultimate disruptor of incumbent industry providers, but merely providing information will not embed the dashboard into the consciousness of the general public.
Remain or Leave? Weighing the Risks
Opportunities and risks come with both staying and leaving the EU. Politicians have handed the electorate a tough job. Read Andrew Tyrie's well thought-out reasoning behind his decision to vote Remain in the June 23rd referendum.
The Great Overtake
The OECD forecasts that the UK's GDP is expected to surpass Germany in the mid 2030s.
No End to the Greek Tragedy
Greece’s latest round of fiscal consolidation will hamper economic growth. Unless a package of targeted reforms that is aimed at improving competitiveness comes forward, the Greek economy will be destroyed.
A Convergence of Interests
Britain must build more houses. Last year, only 136,000 homes were completed in England. But 250,000 new homes a year are required if the Government is to meet its targets of 1 million new homes by 2020.
What of DB, in a TEE World?
The UK pensions and savings arena must be simplified in order to secure Britain's long term savings future. We could gravitate to a purely TEE framework, which would require the accommodation of today's EET-based defined benefit (DB) schemes.