budget

The Government has changed its position on the private-placement market considerably according to parties involved in talks with financial services secretary Lord Myners.

The budget is always an exciting day for those of us in the financial services industry.

The Government has announced a consultation into the tax regime for investment trusts, which will include rules on direct property investment.

Managers have welcomed Treasury proposals to relax the rules governing VCT and EIS investment.

The UK's largest bond houses will meet Financial Services Secretary Lord Myners this week as the Treasury looks to accelerate growth in the private placement market.

The Treasury is considering relaxing the rules which govern VCT investment.

Deloitte's Roger Bootle believes the forthcoming Budget is unlikely to lessen near-term pressures on sterling asset markets but he is optimistic about longer term prospects.

Government plans to cut the budget deficit are not ambitious enough, a European Commission report will say on Wednesday.

HSBC GIF Indian Equity fund manager Sanjiv Duggal says the country's recent Budget has benefited infrastructure and consumption stocks but an rise in excise duty could make markets jittery.

The UK's debt problems could be on a par with those facing Greece and Portugal, according to a former IMF economist.