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Government urged to cut tax rate
LONDON (Reuters) - More than 30 of the UK’s top business figures have urged Chancellor George Osborne to “accelerate” plans to scrap the 50 pence higher rate of income tax, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

Top bankers destroy value, study claims
Bankers should count themselves lucky they are being hit by a mere 50 per cent additional tax on bonuses, a report argues, because their benefit to society is negative

Investors urged to sell before next tax rise
Seven out of ten wealth advisers warn that capital gains tax will almost certainly be raised in a pre- or post-election Budget

Battle looms over BA pensions
British Airways signalled the start of a protracted battle with the Pensions Regulator over the price tag on its retirement obligations, the outcome of which will be crucial to its tie-up with Spain’s Iberia

Cable rules out tax cuts and spending rises in November budget
LONDON (Reuters) - The government is not about to introduce large scale tax cuts or big increases in public spending to boost growth, despite concerns the economy is heading for another recession, business minister Vince Cable said on Thursday.

House prices jump 1.2 percent - Halifax
LONDON (Reuters) - House prices jumped in October, mortgage lender Halifax said on Monday, in a rare sign the housing market may be weathering the economic turbulences better than many fear.

It’s not just bankers seeking a way round bonus tax
Fund managers, stockbrokers, and even some financial advisers will be hit by the new 50 per cent levy on “bankers’” bonuses

Banks restrict lending to existing customers
More people are applying for loans but fewer are securing one, and those banks that are lending are only doing so to their existing customers

New car sales up 2.6 percent in October
LONDON (Reuters) - British new car sales rose by 2.6 percent on the year in October to 134,944 units, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said on Friday.

Top bankers destroy value, study claims
Bankers should count themselves lucky they are being hit by a mere 50 per cent additional tax on bonuses, a report argues, because their benefit to society is negative

Banks restrict lending to existing customers
More people are applying for loans but fewer are securing one, and those banks that are lending are only doing so to their existing customers

It’s not just bankers seeking a way round bonus tax
Fund managers, stockbrokers, and even some financial advisers will be hit by the new 50 per cent levy on “bankers’” bonuses

Income gap led by top 1 percent - NIESR
LONDON (Reuters) - The gap between top and mid-range earners in Britain is likely to widen, with the biggest pay differences currently to be found in the financial sector and in London, a think tank said on Tuesday.

Ofgem fines npower 2 million pounds over complaints handling
LONDON (Reuters) -Energy regulator Ofgem has fined npower, one of Britain’s ‘big six’ power companies, 2 million pounds for improperly handling customer complaints.

House prices up 0.4 percent in October
LONDON (Reuters) - British house prices nudged up last month, beating expectations for no change, driven by sales in more affluent areas, data from mortgage lender Nationwide showed on Tuesday.

Weak lending highlights tough outlook for UK
LONDON (Reuters) - Hopes for a bounce in Britain’s ailing economy were dealt a blow on Monday after data showing a slowdown in mortgage lending alongside a modest pick-up in unsecured lending highlighted the tough conditions faced by hard-pressed consumers.

Top bankers destroy value, study claims
Bankers should count themselves lucky they are being hit by a mere 50 per cent additional tax on bonuses, a report argues, because their benefit to society is negative

Squeezed Britons to cut Christmas spending
LONDON (Reuters) - Britons will spend less this Christmas than a year ago as falling disposable incomes temper the traditional urge to splash out, according to a report published on Thursday.

Banks restrict lending to existing customers
More people are applying for loans but fewer are securing one, and those banks that are lending are only doing so to their existing customers

Weak lending highlights tough outlook for UK
LONDON (Reuters) - Hopes for a bounce in Britain’s ailing economy were dealt a blow on Monday after data showing a slowdown in mortgage lending alongside a modest pick-up in unsecured lending highlighted the tough conditions faced by hard-pressed consumers.

Battle looms over BA pensions
British Airways signalled the start of a protracted battle with the Pensions Regulator over the price tag on its retirement obligations, the outcome of which will be crucial to its tie-up with Spain’s Iberia

FTSE 100 bosses’ pay leaps, dwarfing share gains
LONDON (Reuters) - Pay for Britain’s top directors rose almost 50 percent last year, prompting criticism from Prime Minister David Cameron and trade unions who both contrasted it with the plight of ordinary Britons struggling to make ends meet.

Investors urged to sell before next tax rise
Seven out of ten wealth advisers warn that capital gains tax will almost certainly be raised in a pre- or post-election Budget