This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8462972.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Darling rules out levy on banks Darling rules out levy on banks
(about 1 hour later)
A US-style levy on British banks part-owned by the taxpayer has been ruled out by Chancellor Alistair Darling.A US-style levy on British banks part-owned by the taxpayer has been ruled out by Chancellor Alistair Darling.
President Barack Obama is to hit the largest US banks with a 0.15% charge on liabilities to recover some of the billions spent propping the firms.President Barack Obama is to hit the largest US banks with a 0.15% charge on liabilities to recover some of the billions spent propping the firms.
In an interview with The Scotsman newspaper, Mr Darling said the UK did not have similar plans.In an interview with The Scotsman newspaper, Mr Darling said the UK did not have similar plans.
Mr Darling said the UK was in a different situation as the government holds shares in the banks it helped.
Fresh measures to curtail banks had been demanded after US giant JP Morgan Chase revealed profits doubled in 2009.Fresh measures to curtail banks had been demanded after US giant JP Morgan Chase revealed profits doubled in 2009.
The bank also disclosed that pay and bonuses were to rise by 18%.The bank also disclosed that pay and bonuses were to rise by 18%.
Mr Darling told the Scotsman: "The Americans are doing something different."Mr Darling told the Scotsman: "The Americans are doing something different."
He reiterated the UK bail-out involved buying shares in the troubled banks which could be sold in future years "when the time is right".He reiterated the UK bail-out involved buying shares in the troubled banks which could be sold in future years "when the time is right".
Bankers can't now use the excuse that they will go abroad, because if America is doing it there is nowhere else to go John Mann MPBankers can't now use the excuse that they will go abroad, because if America is doing it there is nowhere else to go John Mann MP
Shadow chancellor George Osborne has said he would only support a levy if there was an agreement to apply it across all major economies.Shadow chancellor George Osborne has said he would only support a levy if there was an agreement to apply it across all major economies.
But one Labour backbencher has called for tougher restrictions on banks.But one Labour backbencher has called for tougher restrictions on banks.
John Mann said: "We have the ability now to copy what Obama has done on the principle of taxing bankers' bonuses.John Mann said: "We have the ability now to copy what Obama has done on the principle of taxing bankers' bonuses.
"Bankers can't now use the excuse that they will go abroad, because if America is doing it there is nowhere else to go.""Bankers can't now use the excuse that they will go abroad, because if America is doing it there is nowhere else to go."
Changing behaviourChanging behaviour
Mr Darling's comments come after Mayor of London Boris Johnson claimed around 9,000 bankers may leave the City of London following a tax on bonuses over £25,000 and a 50p rate for top earners.Mr Darling's comments come after Mayor of London Boris Johnson claimed around 9,000 bankers may leave the City of London following a tax on bonuses over £25,000 and a 50p rate for top earners.
The chancellor announced the one-off 50% tax on bonuses in December.The chancellor announced the one-off 50% tax on bonuses in December.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said banks should "reflect on" their decision to continue paying large bonuses regardless.In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said banks should "reflect on" their decision to continue paying large bonuses regardless.
He said: "The point was to modify banks' behaviour. You can argue the immediate effect has been not to change their behaviour."He said: "The point was to modify banks' behaviour. You can argue the immediate effect has been not to change their behaviour."
But he also argued that the 50p top rate of tax announced in April 2009 should be temporary, adding: "I would favour, when circumstances permit, for the top rate to come down, just as it has gone up when times were hard."But he also argued that the 50p top rate of tax announced in April 2009 should be temporary, adding: "I would favour, when circumstances permit, for the top rate to come down, just as it has gone up when times were hard."