Topic: George Osborne

Opinion: Love it or loathe it, the 'fiscal cliff' deal brought compromise

As unsatisfying as the bargain is in substance, its achievement reaffirms an essential element of America’s democracy – the need for compromise. That aspect of the 'fiscal cliff' deal will be needed as the US approaches the debt ceiling and debate on spending cuts and tax reform.

Starbucks tax avoidance has Brits frothing mad (+video)

Angry over the negligible corporate taxes that Starbucks and other corporations have paid to Britain despite huge revenues, a protest group is threatening to occupy Starbucks shops on Saturday.

Starbucks, Google, Amazon accused of 'immoral' tax avoidance

Starbucks, Google, and Amazon were among the major multinational corporations accused by lawyers of exploiting British tax laws to move UK-made profits overseas. Starbucks announced it is reviewing its tax practices in a bid to restore public trust. 

Energy Voices
UK Greens' tragedy: a partial solution to warming

The world is on the cusp of dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases if China replaces coal power with shale gas. But Greens are fighting the technology to do that.

Prospect of new wave of austerity looms over Britain

New data show Britain's tax receipts down and government borrowing up in July, prompting criticism that Cameron's Conservative government is doing 'too little, too slowly' to engineer an economic recovery.

Boris! Mayor of London is biggest winner at London Olympics.

Boris Johnson's cheerleading of the Games has earned him legions of fans among the British public and made him the Conservative Party's favorite to replace Prime Minister David Cameron.

Reform the UK House of Lords? For now, the nobles keep their seats

UK Prime Minister David Cameron called off a vote on fast-tracking reform of the unelected House of Lords after a group of Conservatives balked.

Former UK PM Gordon Brown: Murdoch tabloid undermined war, personally attacked him

In an often bitter attack on the Murdoch press in testimony to Britain's media ethics inquiry, Brown directly contradicted Murdoch's claim that the then-prime minister had made an abusive phone call to the media mogul in 2009.

Merkel says Europe ready to act as big downgrade hits Spain

Fitch slashes Spain's credit rating three notches to BBB. Germany and the rest of EU are ready to use instruments to support euro zone, Merkel says. 

Rebekah Brooks discusses links to British PM Cameron in phone hacking inquiry

Rebekah Brooks, former CEO of Rupert Murdoch's News International, talked about her relationship with British Prime Minister David Cameron and former prime minister Tony Blair in testimony Friday before the Leveson inquiry.

In nationwide strike, British trade union workers protest pension reform

As the British government proposes reforms to public workers' pensions amid the country's economic woes, some 2 million people went on a 24-hour walkout, affecting services nationwide.

'Eurobonds' anyone? Officials call for EU-wide fiscal policies to ease debt crisis

But that hasn't dampened calls from critics who worry that centralizing European Union fiscal policy would impinge on national sovereignty – and possibly even worsen the crisis.

Ireland's $90 billion question: Does it need a bailout?

Ireland is set to host EU and IMF officials Thursday in ongoing talks about a bailout for the debt-stricken nation.

The Adam Smith Institute Blog
Britain's budget cuts: One good step. Many more needed.

The new Conservative government outlined £81 billion in budget savings through 2015.

Economist Mom
The British are “manning up” – or rather, just “manning”

As the British take on a new era of austerity, are they manning up or just manning their jobs?

The Daily Reckoning
UK slashes budget: Feels “like an amputation”

Like the US, the UK is massively in debt and running huge annual budget deficits. Unlike the US, the UK decided to act, slashing spending programs in a new program of 'austerity.'

The Adam Smith Institute Blog
Harry Potter and the Social Security stone

Researchers claim to have found a way to extend lifespans by 12 percent. What does this mean for America's Social Security and Britain's social pensions?

Opinion: Budget cuts are cracking the West's defenses

Facing budget shortfalls, Britain and France must make difficult choices that could reshape how Western allies meet common security challenges.

The Adam Smith Institute Blog
Can austerity trigger growth?

New research shows austerity can stimulate economic growth by calming bond markets, which lowers interest rates and promotes investment.

G20 summit dilemma: Stimulate economic growth or rein in deficits?

The chief question at this weekend's G20 summit will be how to keep the world economy growing. The Europeans are cutting government spending, ignoring President Obama's call for more stimulus.

The Adam Smith Institute Blog
UK budget: Why it's better than expected

The bad news was of tax increases, the good news was of tax decreases and spending cuts, the really good news was corporation tax down by one point every year to 24 percent, lowest among the big European economies.

Queen Elizabeth II accepts support freeze; Europe's faces tough cuts

Queen Elizabeth II accepts support freeze, sales taxes are increased, and deep budget cuts are eyed by Europe.

UK budget 2010: New era of austerity in Europe?

UK budget 2010: Britain today unveiled budget cuts to raise £40 billion in state revenues through tax increases, welfare cuts, and salary freezes. But history suggests that raising taxes during a recession can cause a double-dip.

The Adam Smith Institute Blog
Britain gives more power to Bank of England

By eliminating the Financial Services Authority, Britain gives the Bank of England far more precise control over the money supply.

Editorial Board Blog
Britain's budget cutter George Osborne: Let's follow the Canadian model