IMF pulls its punches in ring with Treasury
On Friday April 19, George Osborne was having a bad day. The chancellor knew that, as markets closed, a second credit rating agency would strip the UK of its cherished…
IMF urges UK to spend on infrastructure
©Getty The IMF is urging George Osborne to increase spending on infrastructure projects – such as Crossrail, which the chancellor visited this month The International Monetary Fund has called on…
IMF adds to ‘Help to Buy’ critics
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday criticised the government’s “Help to Buy” scheme, adding a powerful voice to the growing chorus of concern that the ambitious mortgage plan could do…
No magic pill for Britain’s economy
Finance ministers don’t much like external criticism, but secretly look forward to their annual visits from the International Monetary Fund. The suggestions that follow these missions give them a joker…
Noise and truths in the IMF’s verdict
Supporters and critics of the UK government’s fiscal stance were keenly awaiting this month’s visit by the International Monetary Fund. In April, the IMF shifted its stance on the coalition’s…
Brussels to tighten bank bailout rules
Brussels is to impose more stringent conditions on state bailouts for troubled banks so that shareholders and junior bondholders suffer losses before taxpayers are asked to foot a rescue bill.…
Q&A: IMF’s assessment of the UK economy
What is the IMF’s assessment of the UK economy? Like the rest of us, the International Monetary Fund was cheered by the good news on the UK economy in recent…
Ireland pledges to fight tax avoidance
Ireland’s prime minister insisted on Wednesday that his country does not cut special deals with foreign companies to help them avoid taxes and said Dublin will continue to work with…
Swiss franc hits two-year low
The Swiss franc hit its weakest level in two years against the euro after the head of Switzerland’s central bank said the country could impose negative interest rates and did…
Banks rule out need to issue new shares
Britain’s two part-nationalised banks will not need to issue new shares or contingent capital, after a softer-than-expected assessment of their financial strength by the new banking regulator. Royal Bank of…