Major Job Cuts Coming Says CBI, UK Funds Tax Warning & Germany’s Bond Boost
Nov 25, 2024
auto_awesome
A wave of job cuts is looming over UK businesses as nearly half prepare to downsize due to recent tax hikes. Meanwhile, the UK government is contemplating reclaiming pension tax breaks from asset managers to boost domestic investment. In the global arena, economic sentiment shifts with Scott Bessent's Treasury Secretary appointment causing a currency rally. Apple's Tim Cook makes headlines with his visit to China, and negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program unfold amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Nearly half of UK businesses are planning significant job cuts in reaction to severe tax increases proposed in the recent budget.
The UK government is considering stricter regulations on pension fund managers' tax breaks to encourage more domestic investments for economic growth.
Deep dives
Job Cuts in the UK
Nearly half of all businesses in the UK are preparing to reduce their workforce due to the significant tax increases introduced in the latest budget. A recent survey revealed that 62% of companies plan to hire fewer employees in the future as they adjust to financial pressures. This downturn in business sentiment is largely attributed to a £40 billion tax hike aimed at businesses and the wealthy, which has led many firms to enter survival mode. The CEO of the Confederation of British Industry has stated a strong opposition to such aggressive tax rises and will likely advocate for urgent reforms to support retention and hiring at an upcoming conference.
Pension Fund Investment Incentives
The UK government is contemplating tightening controls on tax breaks for pension fund managers who do not invest sufficiently in domestic assets. The push comes as the British Business Bank’s CEO highlights a need for funds to propose at least 5% of their assets for UK investment, indicating a potential shift toward a mandatory investment approach. There's significant discussion around the adoption of an Australian-style tax relief system that could incentivize local investments more effectively. Additionally, the lack of incentive to invest domestically raises concerns as the government works to stimulate economic growth through increased local investment.
Market Reactions to Economic Changes
The recent appointment of Scott Bessent as the next US Treasury Secretary has triggered notable positive reactions in global currency markets, with the US dollar experiencing a decline. Traders are optimistic that Bessent's approach will differ from previous administrations, potentially easing trade tensions under Trump's economic policies. The expectation is that he will take a more measured approach to tariffs and focus on reducing the budget deficit, resulting in increased investor confidence. This sentiment is further reinforced by market trends, indicating that investors believe a more cooperative economic line could lead to a recovery in market stability.
Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
(1) Firms across Britain are “in damage control” with nearly half planning to cut jobs after the Labour government’s tax-rising budget, according to the boss of the country’s most influential business lobby group.
(2) The UK could claw back pension tax breaks from asset managers that fail to invest enough domestically, the head of the British Business Bank said in a warning about the stakes for the industry as the government pursues a key growth initiative.
(3)The selection of Scott Bessent as the next Treasury Secretary has fueled a rally in currencies around the world against the dollar, as traders trim bets that the return of Donald Trump will send tremors throughout global markets.
(4) Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is visiting China for at least the third time this year, showing up at a suppliers’ conference on the same day a top Beijing official convened an important meeting with a group of foreign CEOs.
(5) Iran plans to hold talks about its nuclear program with the UK, France and Germany this week, Kyodo reported on Sunday, citing Iranian diplomatic sources who weren’t identified.
What would YOU like to hear about on Bloomberg? Help make shows like ours even better by taking our Bloomberg audience survey.