What is the Pre Budget Report?

On Wednesday 9 Decemeber 2009, Alistair Darling delivers his Pre Budget report.
But what exactly is it?

It's a half time report on how the government is doing meeting its financial commitments.
It should be interesting in a time of decreasing tax revenue, government debt, unemployment and an election within 6 months.

To be continued....!

****************************************************************************
As it turned out, there were few changes.
A few extra taxes on City fat cats' bonuses & pensions, a bit on national insurance and VAT & stamp duty on house purchases.
For further details see my article for the Swindon Advertiser.
http://www.wiltshirebusinessonline.co.uk/news/latest/4785410.print/

What happened in Dubai?

Last week there were sensational stories about financial collapse in Dubai.

What actually happened?

Dubai has set it elf up as a financial centre and simply there was overexpansion, over investment, unoccupied office towers and empty shopping malls. There was nothing to sustain development. Unlike its neighbour Abu Dhabi, it has no oil wealth or natural resources.

A source there noted that one of the reasons for the flow of money into Dubai was that banks did not ask too many questions about the origin of the money....