- IMF deputy director Helge Berger urged Chancellor John Healey to target pensions and welfare savings rather than tax banks at the budget later this month.
- Berger said that given the UK's historically high tax-to-GDP ratio, the emphasis should be on cuts, and that property taxes or VAT are better starting points if more revenue is needed.
- Supporters of the planned bank tax argue banks were bailed out by taxpayers during the financial crisis and can afford to pay more now.
Quotes
“put the emphasis”