The chancellor’s U-turn on limiting tax relief for charitable giving highlights Britain’s uncertain relationship with philanthropy. We understand the need for charitable donations but are uncomfortable when it comes to giving tax breaks to the well off Read more
The government needs to face up to the true cost of caring for an ageing population. This means making some tough choices about who gets what Read more
The government has gone cool on green issues. Whitehall must do more to support council initiatives Read more
As the Conservatives slump in the polls, and David Cameron admits the government must raise its game, what underlies the coalition’s recent catalogue of errors? Read more
New fiscal rules announced by the government are a crude curtain raiser to the next Spending Review, which is likely to be even tougher than the current financial restrictions Read more
The continuing furore over the Budget – ranging from charitable giving to pasties – reflects the enormous complexity of the world’s most obtuse tax system. It’s time for the chancellor to start rationalising the tax code Read more
Advising the public to panic-buy petrol is just one way that Francis Maude has contributed to No 10′s recent problems. The other is getting rid of so many special advisers Read more
The Chancellor’s new cap on income tax relief will have unintended consequences in reducing charitable giving. It shows what happens when Budget tax changes are decided on the hoof Read more
George Osborne’s ‘granny tax’ may have taken all the headlines but there was another Budget measure – the creation of a single-tier state pension – that should be welcomed by older people Read more
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