London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Mar 19, 2026

Tax rate U-turn lifts pound but markets still fret over government credibility

Tax rate U-turn lifts pound but markets still fret over government credibility

The chancellor's announcement helped lift sterling and UK bond yields, but market commentators say there is still a big question mark hanging over the new government's economic policies.

The pound and government bond yields have recovered some poise in the wake of the government's U-turn on abolishing the top rate of income tax.

Kwasi Kwarteng revealed early on Monday morning that the decision to axe the 45p rate - part of his growth plan revealed last month - would now not happen in April as he had announced just 10 days ago.

The measures were badly received by the financial markets as they were seen as placing too much strain on the public finances, with the tax cuts set to cost £45bn alone.

The crisis of confidence saw sterling hit record lows against the dollar a week ago while the Bank of England later had to intervene to restore market functionality for pension funds when long-dated government bond yields surged.

The yield - the effective interest rate demanded by investors to buy UK government debt - on the 30-year bond had nudged to levels not seen since 2002 before the Bank said it would buy bonds to support the market.

In a statement on Monday afternoon the Bank reaffirmed its commitment to buying up to £5 billion of long-dated gilts at each of its daily auctions. Gilt prices fell sharply in the wake of the announcement, and 30-year yields jumped more than 30 basis points after the announcement.

Monday morning's government climbdown had seen the yield, briefly, climb back to where it was ahead of the mini-budget.

The same could be said for the pound.


'The market was panicking'


But market commentators cautioned that it was likely some respite only.

AJ Bell's investment director, Russ Mould, noted that sterling had jumped from $1.1088 to $1.1264 in less than two hours on Monday morning.

"The U-turn is important for two reasons", he wrote.

"First, the market was panicking about the cost of the tax cuts and how that would push up government debt and in turn raise the prospect of reduced public spending and benefit cuts.

"Removing one of the key components of this seemingly flawed plan provided some relief, and you saw that in how the pound rallied and 10-year gilt rates briefly fell below 4%."

'UK faces challenging times'


"The other factor to consider is that Kwarteng has effectively admitted to a massive policy error only weeks into his tenure as chancellor," Mr Mould continued.

"If Liz Truss is to establish any credibility as prime minister, can she afford to have anyone on her team who has effectively scored an own goal in the opening game?

"The fact that both the pound fell back, and gilt rates started to move higher after the news had been digested, is the market's way of saying there are still plenty of problems with the government's finances, state of the consumer and business, and economic outlook.

"With or without the 45% tax cut, the country still faces challenging times with individuals and companies finding life a lot harder."

Mr Mould noted that the FTSE 100 fell 1% to 6,827 - dragged down by miners, financial services and consumer goods firms.

"Many of these earn in dollars and so a stronger pound - even if just a temporary move - is bad for them", he explained.

The FTSE 100's declines were in line with those on the continent where investors were also reacting to the latest evidence of recession ahead.

Closely-watched surveys of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector all pointed to slowdowns - largely due to surging inflation.

In the case of the UK, a third consecutive monthly decline in activity was noted with rates of inflation in input costs and selling prices both picking up linked, in part, to the weaker pound.

By market close in London the FTSE 100 had closed up 0.2%, nearly 15 points, ending the day at 6,909.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
GB News Faces Regulatory Complaints Over On-Air Remarks on ‘Genocide’ Claims
UK Signals Expanded Support for Gulf Allies as Iranian Attacks Intensify Regional Threats
UK VAT Decision Opens Path for Potential Refunds to U.S. Biopharma Firms
UK and Canada Advance ‘Middle Power’ Strategy to Shape Global Influence Beyond Superpowers
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Holds Back on Hormuz Escort Mission While Continuing Talks with Allies
TrumpRx Pricing Platform Faces Scrutiny as Some Medicines Remain Costlier Than in the UK
UK, Netherlands and Finland Explore Joint Defence Investment Bank to Boost Military Capability
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in Kent Raises Alarm as Cases Surge and Emergency Response Expands
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
×