Chancellor George Osbourne anticipates that by helping out smaller businesses, Britain can keep away from being pulled in to the troubles faced by other EU countries. The announcement from this week, which outlines plans to help out small businesses, seems to be a response to the unfolding European debt crisis.
Tax payers will provide most of the money and will be used as the treasury moves towards an arrangement of ‘credit easing’ as more tax capital is used to help smaller businesses struggling to make any profits. On the other hand, the banks have recommended a scheme in which the treasury would provide approximately 800 million and the banks contribute the rest of a proposed 4 billion, but final figures are yet to be announced.
Disorganised default on debts During the early years of the EU, while core countries like France and Germany were careful with spending, the PIIGS countries (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) enjoyed the benefits of the Euro and spent freely, as banks were happy to lend them money. When the financial crisis hit, the debts became unmanageable in most of these countries, especially Greece. The troika of the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the temporary European Financial Stability Facility provided billions in aid to Ireland, Greece and Portugal.
Allowing Greece to default on debts in a disorganised manner would cause widespread economic and political repercussions. Citigroup’s Willem Buiter also pointed out that most of Greece’s lenders would accept the 65-80% haircuts on interest loans as over 90% of the bonds were issued under Greek law. Though Greece won’t, it could, in effect, simply pass a law and do away from the debts leaving the creditors no alternative.
The treasury is looking at new and innovative ways to draw upon private sector capital with the growing costs to tax payers not a viable option, However in light of recent publications from the Bank of England, which outlined the slash in growth prospects, this will be difficult and could put increasing pressure on the taxpayers, already in billions of pounds of debt.
Further private investor plans to help boost the economy in areas like infrastructure and properties are to be put forward on the 29th November and will be a major part of a new mini budget aimed at creating better economic growth in the next sector.
Some of the other likely effects of this would be a greater demand on the US treasuries. Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF called for the ECB to lower its interest rates further to try and curb inflation and for $500bn to be contributed to the IMF to help distressed countries in debt. She also acknowledged that the steps taken were in the direction of a resolution, even if they weren’t yet quite there. While it’s clear that talks have hit another hurdle, Greece needs a sustainable solution that will help its economy get back on its feet and function in the market alongside other nations. With tax revenues down and investors wary due to the current climate, it certainly looks like Greece will have to endeavor to become self-sufficient if it hopes to recover.
Michael Fielding writes articles on behalf of Ferratum UK. Ferratum provide payday loans and fast cash loans to those who are in need of a cash boost to cover them over until payday.
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