86-698: Runcorn Bridge may refer to several bridges over the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal in England: Mersey Gateway Bridge , a road bridge opened in 2017 Runcorn Railway Bridge , a rail bridge opened in 1868 Silver Jubilee Bridge or Runcorn–Widnes Bridge, a road bridge opened in 1961 Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge , opened in 1905 and demolished in 1961 [REDACTED] Index of articles associated with
172-519: A cap on the overall amount of benefits a family can receive from the state, estimated to be around £500 a week from 2013. He also announced that he would end the universal entitlement to child benefit , and that from 2013 the entitlement would be removed from people paying the 40% and 50% income tax rates. In February 2011 Osborne announced Project Merlin , whereby banks aimed to lend about £190 billion to businesses in 2011, curb bonuses and reveal some salary details of their top earners; meanwhile,
258-415: A 110 m (360 ft) pylon on the north side and a 125 m (410 ft) south pylon. The total cable-stayed span is 998 metres (3,274 ft), made up of two main spans of 318 metres (1,043 ft) and 294 metres (965 ft), and two side spans of 205 metres (673 ft) and 181 metres (594 ft). The crossing's total length, including approach viaducts, is 2.3 km (1.4 miles). The deck
344-629: A Merseyflow app was launched to help those not registered to pay for crossings. The toll must be paid before midnight the following day or a penalty charge is issued. The penalty charge for an unpaid crossing is £20 plus the unpaid toll. Unpaid penalty charges are registered as a civil debt , recovery action begins and enforcement agents may be instructed. Compliance has improved as the Merseyflow app has allowed pre-payment options for customers. Between July and September 2021, over 97% of bridge users were recorded as paying their tolls on time. If
430-534: A candidate in that year's party leadership election , stating he was "not the person to provide the unity" his party needed. Osborne was sacked by Theresa May on 13 July 2016, following her appointment as Prime Minister. He returned to the backbenches and Philip Hammond replaced him as Chancellor. It was announced on 4 August 2016 that Osborne was to be made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in
516-483: A complaint from a Labour activist, and it also emerged that he had claimed £47 for two copies of a DVD of his own speech on "value for taxpayers' money". The report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards found that although Osborne had breached the rules, the offence was "unintended and relatively minor". Osborne said he had received "flawed" advice and not benefited personally. During
602-505: A conflict of interest and devalued the role of an MP. He was also accused of breaking the post-ministerial employment rules of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments by accepting the editorship without the committee's approval. Private Eye subsequently documented in detail the relationship between Osborne and Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev , who appointed Osborne as editor. During Osborne's time as Chancellor of
688-578: A freelancer for The Daily Telegraph , he joined the Conservative Research Department in 1994 and became head of its political section. He went on to be a special adviser to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Douglas Hogg and work for John Major at 10 Downing Street , including on Major's unsuccessful 1997 general election campaign. In Opposition , he worked as a speechwriter and political secretary to Major's successor as party leader, William Hague . Osborne
774-485: A partner and chairman. In mid-2018, the Standard reported a loss of £10 million for the last year to the end of September. That year the paper dropped 'London' from its title to reflect greater national and international ambitions as part of a relaunch. For 2018, the Standard reported a £11.5 million loss amid speculation of "ad struggles". In February 2020, questions were raised about Osborne's future at
860-580: A potential future leader of the Conservatives were Cameron to stand down and trigger a leadership contest, despite being seen as a relatively unpopular figure with the general public. Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi suggested that the closeness of his relationship with Cameron meant the two effectively shared power in the 2010–16 government, whilst commentators pointed to Osborne's hand in Cabinet reshuffles. He worked hard on rebuilding his image after
946-493: A priority when coming to power—for the first time since 1978. His March 2013 budget was made when the Office for Budget Responsibility had halved its forecast for that year's economic growth from 1.2% to 0.6%. Osborne announced on 16 May that he would deliver a second Budget on 8 July , and promised action on tax avoidance by the rich by bringing in a " Google tax " designed to discourage large companies diverting profits out of
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#17327731212661032-523: A research vacancy at Conservative Central Office . Osborne joined the Conservative Research Department in 1994, and became head of its Political Section. One of his first roles was to go to Blackpool and observe the October 1994 Labour Party Conference . Between 1995 and 1997 he worked as a special adviser to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Douglas Hogg (during the BSE crisis), and in
1118-565: A result, he was able to claim up to £100,000 in mortgage interest on the house and paddock between 2003 and 2010, when the regulations changed. In 2012 it was revealed that the paddock had been legally separate from the farmhouse. The Liberal Democrats said he had a "moral obligation" to pay an estimated £55,000 in capital gains tax to the public purse which he had saved through the designation or "flipping" of his London property as his main home. He had previously paid back £1,193 spent on chauffeur fares and overpayments on his mortgage after
1204-560: A semester, as a Dean Rusk Scholar. In 1993, Osborne intended to pursue a career in journalism. He was shortlisted for, but failed to gain a place on, The Times ' trainee scheme; he also applied to The Economist , where he was interviewed and rejected by Gideon Rachman . In the end, he had to settle for freelance work on the 'Peterborough' diary column in The Daily Telegraph . One of his Oxford friends, journalist George Bridges, alerted Osborne some time later to
1290-693: A speechwriter and political secretary. He helped to prepare Hague for the weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions , often playing the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair . Under the subsequent leaderships of Michael Howard and David Cameron , he remained on the Prime Minister's Questions team. Osborne was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tatton , Cheshire, at the June 2001 election . He succeeded Independent MP Martin Bell , who had defeated
1376-645: A steep rise in inequality. While the Gini coefficient for disposable income in 2011–12 fell to 32.3 per cent, the lowest level since 1986, it quickly rose again. Reviewing his performance in July 2016, The Guardian said that the UK still had a budget deficit of 4%, a balance-of-payments (trade) deficit of 7% of GDP, and (apart from Italy) the worst productivity among the G7 nations. An Office for National Statistics graph including
1462-572: A sugar tax and raised the tax-free allowance for income tax to £11,500, as well as lifting the 40% income tax threshold to £45,000. According to The Guardian , Osborne was "the driving force" behind the BBC licence fee agreement which saw the BBC responsible for funding the £700 million welfare cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, meaning that it lost almost 20% of its income. The Guardian also noted Osborne's four meetings with News Corp representatives and two meetings with Rupert Murdoch before
1548-417: A vehicle has a breakdown whilst on the bridge, recovery is only permitted by a designated authorised company. No roadside repairs, refuelling or tyre changing are permitted unless by special permission. The recovered vehicle will be taken to an appropriate place where it will be impounded until the recovery and storage fees are paid. Fees are a minimum of £150 plus VAT for a small vehicle. The construction of
1634-565: A violation of the law against political donations by foreign citizens. Rothschild had hosted Deripaska, Osborne, Peter Mandelson and others at a party in his villa in Corfu . The alleged solicitation of a donation occurred on Deripaska's yacht during the party. The Electoral Commission received a formal complaint initiated in a letter by the Liberal Democrats ' Home Affairs spokesperson , Chris Huhne , urging them to investigate
1720-624: A week. The job was approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments , which stated that during Osborne's time as Chancellor "there were no specific policy decisions ... that would have affected BlackRock", and the Permanent Secretary at the Treasury had "no concerns" about Osborne taking up the role. In 2017, Osborne became the first Kissinger Fellow at the McCain Institute for International Leadership. While
1806-415: Is Sir Peter Osborne, 17th Baronet , co-founder of the firm of fabric and wallpaper designers Osborne & Little . His mother is Felicity Alexandra Loxton-Peacock, the daughter of Hungarian-born Jewish artist Clarisse Loxton-Peacock ( née Fehér). He is the eldest of four boys. He decided when he was 13 to be known by the additional first name of 'George'. In an interview in July 2005, he said: "It
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#17327731212661892-592: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles Mersey Gateway Bridge The Mersey Gateway Bridge is a toll bridge between Runcorn and Widnes in Cheshire , England, which spans the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal . The crossing, which opened in October 2017, has three traffic lanes in each direction and is approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) east (upstream) of
1978-447: Is envisioned on the land reclaimed from the road closure. There has been a mixed response to the new Mersey crossing, with some people welcoming the new bridge but many bemoaning the costs. Protests were staged; opposing the decision to implement tolls on both crossings before the new bridge opened. Campaigners believe the extra transport costs will have a detrimental effect on the area and its economy. Taxi drivers have complained that
2064-478: Is hawkish on foreign policy with links to Washington neo-conservatives and ideologically committed to cutting the state. A pragmatic Eurosceptic ". There is evidence of this commitment to cutting the state in his party's manifesto , with Osborne and the Conservatives seeking to cut the deficit "faster and deeper" than any other main party as well as committing to various tax cuts such as inheritance tax and national insurance . According to an IFS report before
2150-512: Is made from reinforced concrete with a maximum clearance of 23 m (75 ft) above the river. As the water depth was too low at this point for marine construction vessels, a 1.5 km (1-mile) trestle was built out into the Mersey to drive in the bridge's pilings . New roads were built to connect the bridge to the highway network. An interchange and a junction were built to join the southern end to Runcorn's existing Central Expressway . On
2236-753: The Cameron government . A member of the Conservative Party , he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Tatton from 2001 to 2017. The son of the Osborne & Little co-founder and baronet Peter Osborne , Osborne was born in Paddington and educated at Norland Place School , Colet Court and St Paul's School, London before studying at the University of Oxford as an undergraduate student of Magdalen College, Oxford . After working briefly as
2322-502: The Evening Standard that he would not be satisfied until Theresa May was "chopped up in bags in my freezer". While Osborne had used macabre imagery about May in the past, he did not directly comment on the incident, although he was criticised for the alleged remark. An editorial in the Standard , published nearly a week later, was interpreted as Osborne's apology to May. It said "harsh words" had been said in connection with
2408-577: The New Economics Foundation claimed austerity had shrunk the British economy by £100 billion by 2019, due to its slower growth in every year since 2010. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) issued a report in 2019 claiming that austerity was linked to 130,000 preventable deaths since 2012. That was the year of the 2012 United Kingdom budget – dubbed the "omnishambles budget" by the then Labour leader Ed Miliband – viewed as
2494-534: The Political Office at 10 Downing Street . Osborne worked on Prime Minister John Major 's campaign team in 1997, in the run-up to the Tories' heavy election defeat that year . After the election, he again considered journalism, approaching The Times to be a leader writer, though nothing came of it. Between 1997 and 2001 he worked for William Hague , Major's successor as Conservative Party leader, as
2580-599: The Resignation Honours list following David Cameron's resignation. Unlike Cameron, Osborne intended to remain an MP and stand for Parliament again in 2020, although proposed boundary changes could have led to the abolition of his Tatton constituency. In September 2016, he launched the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a body bringing together business leaders and politicians to promote regional devolution. By October 2016, he
2666-569: The Silver Jubilee Bridge – although previously free to use – would be tolled like the Mersey Gateway bridge on completion of the scheme. The old bridge was reduced to one lane in each direction for vehicles and the remaining carriageways were converted to a pedestrian/cycleway. The local authority said the cost of the bridge is expected to be paid off in 25 years, at which point a review on tolls would be conducted. In 2019,
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2752-459: The Standard . On 12 June it was announced that he would step down as editor to move to the role of editor-in-chief. He was succeeded as editor by the former deputy editor of British Vogue and sister-in-law of David Cameron , Emily Sheffield , on 1 July 2020. In a profile of Osborne published by Esquire magazine in September 2017, it was said that he had commented to several staff at
2838-435: The through arch bridge and surrounding road network daily, ten times its expected capacity. A new crossing was therefore deemed both vital and necessary by Halton Borough Council . Moreover, it believed "better connectivity, more consistent journey times and improved accessibility, combined with a much improved physical urban environment would make Halton a better place to live and work, and [..] invest". In 2001 Ramboll
2924-611: The 2010 general election campaign Osborne was considered to have been sidelined, owing to his perceived unpopularity and the perception by both Liberal Democrat and Labour strategists that he was a "weak link". Osborne was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 May 2010, and was sworn in as a Privy Counsellor two days later. On 4 October 2010, in a speech at the Conservative conference in Birmingham , Osborne announced
3010-613: The 2010 general election, the Conservatives needed to find more money from cuts beyond what they had outlined than any other major party, although the report was also critical of Labour and the Liberal Democrats. He has stated that the British economy must diversify away from London following the 2008 banking crisis, most notably in the form of the Northern Powerhouse policy proposals which aim to improve transport links and boost science and technology investment in
3096-526: The Council had failed to correctly follow the required commencement processes, and failed to properly specify the charges for use. The Council's appeal was turned down, leading to annulment of charge notices in the period that the signage onto the bridge didn't comply with stated regulations. During the COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020 , an application by Halton Borough Council to suspend tolling operations
3182-500: The Exchequer he regularly pledged Treasury money to Standard charitable campaigns, such as his offer in 2015 to match readers' donations by up to £1.5 million to the Standard ' s Great Ormond Street Hospital appeal. In September 2015, the newspaper ranked Osborne in joint-first place on its annual 'Progress 1000' list of the most influential people in London. It was also highlighted that, as Chancellor, Osborne failed to tackle
3268-602: The Mersey Gateway Bridge as far as Warrington . As of March 2020 the fee for an unregistered car to cross the Mersey Gateway is £2; for a van or small lorry the single charge is £6 and for a larger lorry or bus £8. Local buses (during the closure of the Silver Jubilee Bridge) and motorcycles are exempt from the tolls. There are no toll booths for payment at the bridge. The toll must be paid to Merseyflow online or via telephone before midnight on
3354-620: The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) since 2016 and of the British Museum since 2021. Osborne's chancellorship has been subject to critical assessment. His austerity measures are generally now viewed as having failed to reduce unemployment, lower interest rates, or stimulate growth, and have been linked to worsened inequality and poverty and a rise in political instability . Osborne was born in Paddington , London, as Gideon Oliver Osborne. His father
3440-432: The Prime Minister's Brexit policy, but "intemperate language, even when said in jest" was inappropriate. In 2018 Osborne was discussed as a potential candidate for Mayor of London in the election scheduled to be held in 2020. He said that as well as considering a bid, he would not rule out a return to Parliament. However, in an interview he said he would not stand for mayor as it would clash with his role as editor of
3526-500: The Shadow Chancellor's post when Cameron became leader later that year. When David Cameron was asked in 2009 whether or not he would be willing to sack a close colleague such as Osborne, he stated, "With George, the answer is yes. He stayed in my shadow cabinet not because he is a friend, not because we are godfathers to each other's children but because he is the right person to do the job. I know and he knows that if that
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3612-548: The UK to avoid tax. The second Budget also increased funding for the National Health Service , more apprenticeships, efforts to increase productivity and cuts to the welfare budget. The July budget postponed the predicted arrival of a UK surplus from 2019 to 2020, and included an extra £18 billion more borrowing for 2016–20 than planned for the same period in March. In Osborne's 2016 budget he introduced
3698-404: The advantageous tax status for so-called non-doms , which Lebedev was understood to benefit from, while Lebedev's paper strongly supported the Conservative Party in the 2015 general election and the Conservatives' candidate Zac Goldsmith in the 2016 London mayoral election . After stepping down from politics, Osborne took on several engagements in addition to his work as editor. Among them
3784-460: The allegations against Osborne. The Commission rejected the claims and said it saw "no information" suggesting an offence. The accusation was referred to by the press as 'Yachtgate'. Osborne denied claims he had attempted to solicit a donation from Deripaska and said that he had "made a mistake" by meeting with him. On 14 November 2008, in an intervention described by the BBC's Nick Robinson as "pretty extraordinary", Osborne publicly warned that
3870-453: The bank levy would increase by £800 million. Osborne's 2011 Autumn Statement was delivered to Parliament on 29 November 2011. It included a programme of supply-side economic reforms such as investments in infrastructure intended to support economic growth. In 2012, Osborne cut the 50% income tax rate on top earners and figures from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs showed that the amount of additional-rate tax paid had increased under
3956-728: The bridge has led to wider infrastructure changes. The Silver Jubilee Bridge was closed upon the Gateway's opening and was re-opened in February 2021 after repair and conversion into a toll bridge, also having improved access for pedestrians and cyclists. The Silver Jubilee Bridge, when re-opened, was delinked from the ring road preventing passage to Liverpool from the A533. Halton Council has plans to redevelop Runcorn railway station to promote railway journeys between Runcorn and Liverpool. A new "Station Quarter" with retail and leisure opportunities
4042-680: The cities of the North in order to increase economic output. After previously drawing parallels between Ed Miliband's economic views and those of Karl Marx in Das Kapital , in a 2017 interview with former Treasury colleague Lord O'Neill , Osborne said Marx's thesis in Das Kapital that capitalists would take an increasing share of wealth from the proceeds of economic production at the expense of workers could be argued as an accurate description of something that appeared to be occurring under
4128-567: The controversial former Conservative minister Neil Hamilton in 1997 but had kept his promise not to stand there at the following election. Osborne won with a majority of 8,611 over the Labour candidate, becoming (at that time) the youngest Conservative MP in the House of Commons . At the 2005 election he was re-elected with an increased majority of 11,731 (securing 51.8% of the vote), and in 2010 increased his majority still further to 14,487. He
4214-464: The day following the crossing, or a penalty charge will be issued. Users can register online for a prepayment account negating the need to pay tolls individually: this also gives a 10% discount on the toll. Halton residents can pay an annual £10 administration fee and make unlimited personal trips at no further cost. The Merseyflow scheme is operated by emovis Operations Mersey Ltd. on behalf of Halton Borough Council . Halton Borough Council stated that
4300-733: The deal was announced. Following the UK's vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, Osborne pledged to further lower corporation tax to "encourage businesses to continue investing in the UK". Osborne had already cut the corporation tax rate from 28% to 20%, with plans to lower it to 17% by 2020. Osborne's chancellorship has been subject to much critical assessment. His austerity measures are generally now viewed as having failed to reduce unemployment, lower interest rates, or stimulate growth. Extensive cuts in his 2010 budget to benefits, meant to force beneficiaries into work, have been linked to
4386-512: The first road bridge between Runcorn and Widnes opened in 1961 (renamed the Silver Jubilee Bridge in 1977), it replaced the Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge , a 19th-century steam-powered cable-truss transporter that carried four cars in 2½ minutes across the Mersey. The replacement crossing was designed to carry 8,000 vehicles per day; however, 50 years later more than 80,000 vehicles were using
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#17327731212664472-532: The idea of a flat tax was not included in the 2010 Conservative Party manifesto. During Osborne's response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown 's Pre-Budget Report on 5 December 2005, he accused Brown of being "a Chancellor past his sell-by-date, a Chancellor holding Britain back". In an interview the same week, he also referred to Brown as "brutal" and "unpleasant". Osborne
4558-581: The institute is based in John McCain 's home state of Arizona, Osborne remained in the UK. Osborne announced he would be standing down as MP for Tatton in April 2017, a day after the 2017 general election was declared. He did not rule out returning to the Commons at some point. "It's still too early to be writing my memoirs", he wrote in a letter to his constituency party, adding he did not "want to spend
4644-504: The least popular member of parliament, he was loudly booed by the crowd while presenting medals at the London Paralympics. In 2023, the magazine Prospect also described Osborne as the "architect of austerity" and described him as the worst chancellor in postwar British history, second perhaps only to Kwasi Kwarteng (who served 38 days). The Financial Times describes Osborne as "metropolitan and socially liberal. He
4730-474: The more the government borrows, the less attractive sterling becomes to hold. He said: "We are in danger, if the government is not careful, of having a proper sterling collapse, a run on the pound." Labelling Gordon Brown's tactic a "scorched-earth policy" that a future Conservative government would have to clear up, Osborne continued: "His view is he probably won't win the next election. The Tories can clear this mess up after I've gone." In 2009 and 2012 Osborne
4816-598: The much-criticised 2012 budget. Michael Deacon of The Daily Telegraph has described Osborne as "the prince of the parliamentary putdown" after, during one House of Commons debate, he managed to taunt both Ed Balls and Norman Baker in one sentence. Osborne denied rumours that he had referred to his colleague Iain Duncan Smith as "not clever enough", which were published in Matthew d'Ancona 's book In It Together . On 28 June 2016, Osborne ruled out standing as
4902-482: The nadir of Osborne's political fortunes. Osborne reduced taxation for the wealthy, cutting the 50% income tax rate on top earners – which he said had been specially designated by his predecessor as "temporary" – to 45%. Overall, Osborne's policies have been linked to worsened inequality and poverty , a rise in political instability , and, allegedly, the decline of the NHS . After polling in 2012 revealed Osborne to be
4988-474: The new rate from £38 billion in 2012/13 to £46 billion in 2013/14, which Osborne said was caused by the new rate being more "competitive", however HMRC predictions in March 2012 predicted that around £6.25 billion in tax revenue would be delayed from 2012/13 to 2013/14 due to the expected lower tax rate, possibly explaining much of the increased revenue, and that the change would cost around £2.4 billion in 2012, however this cost would decrease and
5074-514: The next three years. He promised increases in public spending of 2% a year, and said Labour charges that the Conservatives would cut public spending were "a pack of lies". He also ruled out any "upfront, unfunded tax cuts". Osborne's school and university contemporary, financier Nathaniel Rothschild , said in October 2008 that Osborne had tried to solicit a £50,000 donation from the Russian aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska , which would have been
5160-573: The northern side, the old route of the A562 was demolished and replaced with a dual carriageway to Speke Road . Embankments on the Widnes side were constructed from decontaminated material excavated along the route from former industrial brownfield sites: treating and reusing the material meant that it did not need to be removed from the construction zone. The new crossing was expected to improve journey times by up to 10 minutes during peak times compared to
5246-636: The old bridge. A 28.5 ha (70-acre) nature reserve was established around the bridge and the surrounding riverside, managed by the Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust, an independent charity tasked with promoting biodiversity, landscape, science, and educational opportunities. This scheme, which will help conserve important ecological sites such as the Astmoor salt marshes, is part of the 1,600 ha (4,000-acre) Upper Mersey Estuary project that covers everything upstream of
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#17327731212665332-483: The older Silver Jubilee Bridge . It has a span of 998 m (3,274 ft) and a total length of 2.3 km (1.4 miles) including its approach roads. It formed part of a wider project to upgrade the infrastructure around the Mersey crossings that included major civil engineering work to realign the road network, refurbish and add tolling to the Silver Jubilee Bridge, and build new interchanges. When
5418-544: The period 2010–2016 shows a worsening balance-of-trade deficit. One study by the Progressive Economy Forum assessed that the United Kingdom lost £540 billion in public spending since George Osborne initiated austerity measures. The study claimed Osborne could have "maintained historic rates of growth in public spending and still have reduced Britain's government debt burden by 2019". Another by
5504-458: The process of globalization , arguing that there was a need to "democratise capital" and ensure "that people have more capital in capitalism", such as larger pensions and more opportunities for savings and home and share ownership. At the time of the 2016 referendum Osborne was prominently in favour of the UK remaining in the EU. Whilst David Cameron was prime minister, Osborne was widely viewed as
5590-525: The rest of my life just being an ex-chancellor. I want new challenges". Then still an MP, Osborne was announced on 17 March 2017 as the next editor of the Evening Standard , a position which he assumed on 2 May. Critics of his appointment questioned his lack of journalistic experience and his intention to remain MP for Tatton during his tenure with the newspaper, which other MPs said would constitute
5676-471: The same name This set index article includes a list of related items that share the same name (or similar names). If an internal link incorrectly led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Runcorn_Bridge&oldid=1191881070 " Category : Set index articles Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
5762-457: The toll will prove unpopular with their customers, because it will mean fare rises. In the first month of opening, more than 50,000 drivers received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Some claimed to be unaware of how to pay the toll, since no signage of how to pay was evident, nor a telephone number supplied to pay the toll. One driver who repeatedly used the bridge without paying the toll received 28 PCNs; totalling £616. After claims that Merseyflow
5848-511: The top rate of earners. After the Conservatives won an overall majority in the 2015 general election , Cameron reappointed him Chancellor in his second government and gave him the additional title of First Secretary of State . He was widely viewed as a potential successor to David Cameron as Leader of the Conservative Party; one Conservative MP, Nadhim Zahawi , suggested that the closeness of his relationship with Cameron meant that
5934-551: The two effectively shared power during the duration of the Cameron governments. Following the 2016 referendum vote to leave the European Union and Cameron's consequent resignation, he was dismissed by Cameron's successor, Theresa May . Osborne served on the backbenches for a year before leaving public office at the 2017 general election . He was editor of the Evening Standard from 2017 to 2020. He has been chair of
6020-422: Was "faintly autistic". After Osborne spoke in an interview about his own ability to recall odd facts, a host suggested to him that he may have been "faintly autistic"; he responded by saying that "We're not getting onto Gordon Brown yet". In September 2007, ahead of the publication of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review , Osborne pledged that the Conservative Party would match Labour's public spending plans for
6106-486: Was David Cameron, who also rejected the job, preferring to take on a major public service portfolio (he was made Shadow Secretary of State for Education ). Thus, Howard seems to have turned to Osborne as his third choice for the role. His promotion prompted speculation he would run for the leadership of the Conservative Party when Howard stepped down, but he ruled himself out within a week. Osborne served as campaign manager for David Cameron's leadership campaign , and kept
6192-490: Was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Cameron–Clegg coalition . He succeeded Alistair Darling , inheriting a large deficit in government finances due to the effects of the 2007–2008 financial crisis . As Chancellor, Osborne's tenure pursued considerably severe austerity policies , aimed at reducing the budget deficit and launched the Northern Powerhouse initiative. In 2012, Osborne significantly reduced taxes for
6278-464: Was appointed in September 2004 by then Conservative leader Michael Howard to the Shadow Cabinet , as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury . Following the 2005 general election, Howard promoted him to Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer at the young age of 33. Howard had initially offered the post to William Hague, who turned it down. Press reports suggest that the second choice for the post
6364-528: Was appointed the lead technical consultant on the project. It worked as part of a technical advisor team composed of CH2M , Ramboll, IBI and Knight Architects, to support the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board with the technical and contractual administration of the project and to help it fulfil its contractual obligations. In June 2010, the project was put on hold awaiting the outcome of the Treasury's Spending Review. In October 2010 it
6450-622: Was being named a distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and a dean's fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in September 2017. He specialised in research on international politics and the global economy. He continued to advise the asset manager BlackRock and also began advising his brother's firm 9Yards Capital. He joined 9Yards, a growth stage venture capital firm focused on financial technology and IT logistics investments, in 2018 as
6536-505: Was confirmed by Chancellor George Osborne that the £431 million plan would go ahead. As part of the 2014 Budget , Osborne announced a £270 million guarantee for the project. After extensive site preparation, construction work began on 7 May 2014 and the bridge opened to traffic just after midnight on 14 October 2017. The bridge has three single arranged towers that support harp design rigging . The three towers are different heights: an 80 m (260 ft) central pylon,
6622-507: Was criticised for his expense claims, in particular for the claims for mortgage interest payments on his Cheshire properties. Osborne had funded the purchase of a country farmhouse and adjoining paddock in Cheshire before he became an MP in 2001 by way of a £455,000 extension of the mortgage on his London home. In 2003 he substituted a new £450,000 mortgage on the Cheshire property, which he then designated as his second home, or "flipped". As
6708-640: Was educated at private schools: Norland Place School , Colet Court and St Paul's School . In 1990 he started his undergraduate study at the University of Oxford where he was awarded a demyship at Magdalen College, Oxford , and in 1993, he received a upper second class (2:1) bachelor's degree in Modern History . Whilst there, he was a member of the Bullingdon Club . He also attended Davidson College in North Carolina for
6794-412: Was elected as MP for Tatton in 2001, becoming the youngest Conservative member of the House of Commons . He was appointed Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Conservative leader Michael Howard in 2004. The following year he ran David Cameron 's successful party leadership campaign , and was subsequently appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer . After the 2010 general election , Osborne
6880-407: Was expected to be nullified by 2016/17. In October 2012, Osborne proposed a new policy to boost the hiring of staff, under which companies would be able to give new appointees shares worth between £2,000 and £50,000, but the appointees would lose the right to claim unfair dismissal and time off for training. In February 2013, the UK lost its AAA credit rating—which Osborne had indicated to be
6966-576: Was in breach of both the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 , their PCNs were quashed on appeal in favour of a payment of £56 for the crossings made. On 10 April 2018 it was announced that the outcome of an appeal against penalty charges heard by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal had concluded that the establishment of tolls and charges had not been properly implemented, as
7052-469: Was made to support key workers. This was rejected by the Department for Transport despite the broad support of local MPs in March and again in April 2020. George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne CH (born 23 May 1971) is a British retired politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in
7138-413: Was my small act of rebellion. I never liked it [the name 'Gideon']. When I finally told my mother she said, 'Nor do I'. So I decided to be George after my grandfather [ Sir George Francis Osborne, 16th Baronet ], who was a war hero . Life was easier as a George; it was a straightforward name." Osborne is to inherit his father's baronetcy ; he would thus become Sir George Osborne, 18th Baronet. Osborne
7224-447: Was not the case he would not be there." At this time Osborne expressed an interest in the ideas of "tax simplification" (including the idea of flat tax ). He set up a "Tax Reform Commission" in October 2005 to investigate ideas for how to create a "flatter, simpler" tax system. The system then proposed would reduce the income tax rate to a flat 22%, and increase the personal allowance from £4,435 to between £10,000 and £15,500. However,
7310-795: Was rebuked in October 2006 by Michael Martin , the Speaker of the House of Commons , when he attacked the Chancellor at Oral Questions by citing a comment attributed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton , describing the Chancellor as likely to make an "effing awful" Prime Minister. It was widely suggested that Osborne was leading an assault on Brown that would allow the Conservatives to discredit him without damaging David Cameron's public image. That month, Osborne faced criticism from some quarters for appearing to suggest that Brown
7396-407: Was writing a book called Age of Unreason ; it is a diatribe against "populist nationalism". Osborne's lucrative speaking engagements for a range of financial institutions since his dismissal as Chancellor helped make him the highest earning MP in 2016. In February 2017 he started a new role as a part-time advisor to BlackRock , the world's largest fund manager, for a salary of £650,000 for a one-day
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