Labour unveils disability benefits reforms that aim to save over £5bn

The proposed 2% wealth tax on individuals with assets over £10 million is gaining attention ahead of the government's Spring Statement, with support from Labour MPs, Green Party, lobby groups, and charity organizations. The tax could potentially raise £24 billion per year, but critics are skeptical due to possible tax avoidance strategies. While many support the tax to fund public services and address economic inequality, challenges in administration and potential negative impacts on wealth accumulation...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in the Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free, highlighting the UK National Wealth Fund's decision to prioritize clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and transport over the defence industry. Chancellor Rachel Reeves aims to boost "dual-use technologies" and supply chain resilience, despite the UK's efforts to increase military spending. Labour's initial plan for a new freestanding wealth fund was abandoned, with the existing UK Infrastructure...

The World Meteorological Organization reports that 2024 was the warmest year on record, marking the first time all 10 hottest years have occurred within the past decade. Greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, with concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide reaching unprecedented levels. The oceans are warming at an accelerated rate, leading to coral bleaching and record sea-level rise, while global warming has already exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Full Article

The Justice Department charged Carl Erik Rinsch with an $11 million scheme to defraud Netflix by securing funding for a science-fiction series but using the money for personal investments instead. Mr. Rinsch was arrested and charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions derived from unlawful activity. After Netflix canceled the series due to Mr. Rinsch's erratic behavior, he went on a spending spree with the remaining production money, leading to Netflix...

The FTC is suing Click Profit for allegedly deceiving investors with false promises of guaranteed passive income through e-commerce stores on platforms like Amazon and TikTok. The company, owned by Craig Emslie and Patrick McGeoghean, claimed to use AI technology to select profitable products, but in reality, investors lost millions as the promised earnings never materialized. Click Profit faces legal action to halt its operations and provide relief to affected clients who were left with...

Financial markets are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's comments on future interest rates, as well as any potential adjustments to the ongoing balance sheet runoff known as quantitative tightening (QT). This dual focus highlights the significance of not only rate decisions but also the Fed's efforts to reduce its balance sheet. Investors are keenly aware of both factors and their potential impact on market dynamics. Full Article