EVENTS
Forthcoming Events
Setting pensions free |
Wednesday 8th July 2009 12.45 – 14.15 Speakers: This seminar has been arranged to discuss CentreForum’s recent publication ‘Setting pensions free’ by Steve Webb MP and Jo Holland. The authors argue that the present rules, which prevent individuals from accessing their tax-free lump sum until they draw their pension, should be relaxed. Under the proposed scheme, lump sums built up to date could be used to clear mortgage arrears, to put down a deposit on a house, for a large capital purchase such as a new car or for any other purpose. With severe constraints on the ability of the government to add further to public debt, this approach would provide a significant boost to the economy without adding further to government borrowing. Steve Webb will introduce his proposal. Baroness Hollis and Niki Cleal have kindly agreed to respond. There will then be ample opportunity for comment and discussion. Baroness Hollis was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions from 1997-2005. Niki Cleal is the Director of the Pensions Policy Institute, an independent, non-political educational research charity that provides research, analysis and commentary to inform the policy debate on pensions and retirement provision. For an invitation, please contact info@centreforum.org or 020 7340 1160. |
European finance after the crisis: make up or break up? |
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| Date and time | Tuesday 14th July 200 |
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Tuesday 14th July 2009 12:30 - 14:00 with a buffet lunch served from 12:15 Speakers to include: Nicholas Véron, Bruegel European leaders have failed to build a common response to the financial crisis, acting – to quote the IMF – in an “unhelpfully diverse” manner. Bank rescues have been unco-ordinated, encouraging instability. The eurozone is creaking, as its members economic interests diverge. Western governments are not doing enough to help member states in central and eastern Europe that are struggling with heavy debts and collapsing financial flows from the west. On financial regulation, France and Germany want tax harmonisation, while the UK seeks integrated supervision and regulation. Can Europe build a common financial policy – and should it? This is the latest in a series of seminars on the global financial crisis, run in partnership with the European Liberal Forum and Business for New Europe. Previous speakers have included Vince Cable MP, Gillian Tett and Andrew Sapir. |
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