Much of Europe wants a financial transaction tax (FTT). The reason why is obvious: they need the money. The UK is adamant it will have no such
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Where the deficit came from
It is often said that government income and expenditure were out of synch before 2008. And it is also claimed that it is excessive spending
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Phantom tax haven business
Nick Shaxson, author of Treasure Islands, recorded this very short clip last Friday while in tax haven Luxembourg. It’s a bit of fun — but
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Why Plan B had to come from outside academic economics
I wrote about Compass’ Plan B yesterday and will be at a seminar on the subject all this morning. I’m proud to have contributed some
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Only ethics make markets work
The FT has just reported: In a wide-ranging interview with the FT, Yoshihiko Noda, Japan’s prime minister, has called for clarification about a string of
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Time for Plan B
This letter was in today’s Observer: It is now clear that plan A isn’t working. Wave after wave of economic figures from HM Treasury, national and
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Absent with leave
It’s been a gruelling few weeks. I’m absent with my sons today. Sometimes one just needs to go and play but since people often ask
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Resignation
I resigned from the electoral register of the Church of England this morning. It’s hardly a big deal for them. But it was the only
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The evidence that so called tax information exchange agreements with tax havens don’t work is mounting
At the April 2009 G20 summit in london the big news was the supposed end of tax havens. I know: I was there. And it
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