Archive for January, 2009
Government defeats eco-towns challenge: Primelocation
Campaigners have lost the latest stage in their battle against the construction of up to 10 ‘eco-towns’ that the Government claims will provide tens of thousands of environmentally sustainable new homes - but which protesters argue will blight some of England’s most attractive countryside.
For full story go to: http://www.primelocation.com/news/government-defeats-eco-towns-challenge/
Bad times - New opportunities: Accounting & Business
Despite a rising number of job losses in the firms, the credit crisis continues to offer opportunities for accountants. The latest is the UK Government’s Asset Protection Scheme.
Dozens of accountants will work with Credit Suisse, Citibank and the Treasury to value UK banks’ securities and loans that the UK Government has agreed to underwrite in [...]
Against the Tide: Public Finance
While all around fear for their jobs, the government is promising a major programme of public works to counter the effects of recession. But dig deeper, and the public sector is simultaneously coming under pressure to slash its workforce
Unemployment is widely expected to reach 3 million by the end of the year. Given that it [...]
Questions of Cash: ‘Why is Post Office casting savers adrift?’: The Independent
Q. I invested in a Post Office Bond in October 2008, aware that my money would be invested by the Post Office with the Bank of Ireland. The printed material from the Post Office said I was “saving with the Post Office”. On 15 January, I received a letter using the Post Office logo stating [...]
Losing confidence in the civil service: Public Finance
Poor planning by Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance and Personnel delayed three major projects within the civil service reform programme, leading to extra costs, an interim report from the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has concluded. It doubts whether DFP will be able to fully implement the £3bn Reform Agenda.
Paul Maskey MLA, chair of [...]
Northern Ireland’s £1bn problem: Public Finance
Northern Ireland government departments face a £1bn revenue shortfall – 10% of their annual spend - finance minister Nigel Dodds admitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Dodds said that the worsening UK economy meant that the Northern Ireland Executive expected to receive a reduced block grant from the Treasury. It also faces spending demands not budgeted [...]
Profile: Sir Andrew Likierman: Accounting & Business
Sir Andrew Likierman profile
What do you bring to the post of NAO Chair?
What I hope is a good combination of experience, expertise and independence. I’ve worked with Parliament as advisor to several Select Committees, in government for many years and in the private sector. I’ve also specialized at different times on public spending, on government [...]
Bail-out (phase two) begins: Primelocation
Phase two of the Government’s bail-out of banks and wider economy has begun. If it works, there should be a big increase in mortgage lending over the rest of the year. If it fails the property sector will stay depressed for a long while yet.
To read story go to http://www.primelocation.com/news/bail-out-phase-two-begins/
A terminal problem for Irish building societies: Co-operative News
Something is rotten in the state of Ireland. Specifically, something is very rotten in Irish banks. And, just for once (for good reason), I include the country’s last two building societies within the definition of ‘banks’.
When we talk of Ireland’s remaining building societies we must speak very definitely in the present, not the future, tense. [...]
Accountancy news for January: Accounting & Business
World accountancy news
US on the road to IFRS
US companies could file accounts using IFRS in 2010, under the detailed roadmap for accounting standards convergence published by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. IFRS would be required for listed US companies by 2014.
Only listed US companies whose industry mostly uses IFRS as the basis for financial [...]
