Some of the promising signs of recovery of last spring have been snuffed out over the summer. The economy has hit a softer patch but we should not be too gloomy, says David Smith
Sarah Lane reviews the European Commission's proposals, identifying numerous stings in the tail
Opinion among respondents to the recent consultation on a proposed financial transaction tax was ‘strongly polarised’, the European Commission said. Little has changed, judging by initial reaction to the Commission’s detailed proposal for a Council Directive introducing a Europe-wide FTT.
‘A league table of the world's most secretive tax havens lists Switzerland as the worst offender, six weeks after the UK signed a tax transparency deal with the country.
George Osborne ruled out borrowing to fund temporary tax cuts when he addressed the Conservative party conference today, but he revealed that the Treasury was examining how to ‘inject money directly into parts of the economy that need it such as small businesses’.
The Chancellor has announced government support to help local authorities freeze council tax for a second year.
The government has invited proposals for new Enterprise Zones in areas affected by last week’s announcement by BAE Systems of up to 3,000 job cuts at Brough in Yorkshire, and Samlesbury and Warton in Lancashire.
Michael Jack and John Whiting have been appointed as the permanent Chair and Tax Director respectively at the Office of Tax Simplification, and will oversee the OTS’s work for the remainder of the Parliament.