Dated March 2011. These notes refer to the Finance (No. 3) Bill published on 31 March 2011 (Bill 172-I,II, session 2010-11, ISBN 9780215557957)

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee reports on aspects of the Government's taxation plans before the House of Commons again discusses this year's Finance Bill at Report Stage. The Committee, which brings together economic and financial experience from business and politics, points to four main areas for Government attention: tax policy; scrutiny; tax avoidance and evasion; and corporation tax reforms. The Government must stick to its own commitment to a new, consultative approach to tax policymaking if it is to achieve its aim of giving the UK the clear, stable and predictable tax system which it needs to be competitive. The Government's new approach is welcomed but has so far not been implemented consistently. The Government's failure to consult on the increased charges on oil and gas production it announced in the Budget was criticised for putting investment in the oil and gas industry at risk. Many witnesses called for earlier Parliamentary scrutiny of the Finance Bill measures. The Government must act earlier to curb tax avoidance and evasion. The Committee criticises proposed legislation against "disguised remuneration" for tackling the problem too late and for being excessively long and complex. The Government should consult earlier so that it can put forward better Finance Bill legislation. The Committee also calls for the Government to develop a strategy to tackle tax evasion. The Government should monitor its corporation tax reforms to make sure that they do not accidentally disadvantage particular groups, for example small and medium-sized businesses.

Budget 2011 sets out the action the Government will take in three areas: maintaining a strong and stable economy; encouraging growth; and delivering fairness. Chapter 1 outlines how the measures in the Budget advance the Government's long-term goals. Chapter 2 provides a brief description of all Budget policy decisions. The decisions have a neutral impact on the public finances, implementing fiscal consolidation as planned. Growth is forecast to be 1.7 per cent in 2011, but the outlook for the public finances is broadly unchanged. Measures are outlined on: personal tax; corporate taxes; tax measures affecting charities; indirect taxes (tobacco, alcohol, fuel and gambling duties, other transport taxes, landfill, VAT); tax reliefs; anti-avoidance; tax administration and banking. Action to promote growth include (a) creating the most competitive tax system in G20, with reductions in corporation tax, simplification of the tax system, and consultation on integrating the operation of income tax and National Insurance; (b) measures to facilitate and support the starting up of businesses - removal of regulatory burdens, implementing Lord Young's proposals on health and safety, expansion of investment schemes and other financial support, streamlining the planning system, investing in science capital development; (c) encouraging investment and exports through establishing 21 new enterprise zones, extra funding for new rail projects and pothole repair; (d) creation of a more educated, flexible workforce, with additional work experience places and apprenticeships. Fairness is addressed through various tax and pension changes. Appendix A examines the impact on households. A number of supporting documents are published alongside the Budget.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

In 2011 the World Bank—with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—launched the Global Findex database, the world's most comprehensive data set on how adults save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. Drawing on survey data collected in collaboration with Gallup, Inc., the Global Findex database covers more than 140 economies around the world. The initial survey round was followed by a second one in 2014 and by a third in 2017. Compiled using nationally representative surveys of more than 150,000 adults age 15 and above in over 140 economies, The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and the Fintech Revolution includes updated indicators on access to and use of formal and informal financial services. It has additional data on the use of financial technology (or fintech), including the use of mobile phones and the Internet to conduct financial transactions. The data reveal opportunities to expand access to financial services among people who do not have an account—the unbanked—as well as to promote greater use of digital financial services among those who do have an account. The Global Findex database has become a mainstay of global efforts to promote financial inclusion. In addition to being widely cited by scholars and development practitioners, Global Findex data are used to track progress toward the World Bank goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The database, the full text of the report, and the underlying country-level data for all figures—along with the questionnaire, the survey methodology, and other relevant materials—are available at www.worldbank.org/globalfindex.

An empirical investigation of financial crises during the last 800 years.