Osborne sues EU over short-selling powers

clock

The Chancellor, George Osborne, is taking legal action against the EU over plans to give a pan-European superviser far-reaching powers to ban or limit the short-selling of financial products, the Financial Times reports.

Osborne believes the proposed mandate for the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) would represent an over-reaching of its powers and could harm British economic interests. The suit, filed on Wednesday by Britain and the Czech Republic at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), contends the emergency powers, if granted, would be illegal and not granted by any EU treaty. EU regulations on short-selling are expected to be implemented from November. Short-selling has been a contentious issue in the UK in recent years. In 2009, the FSA introduced an "enhanced transparency" reg...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Advisers predict returns uptick in face of increased market volatility until 2030

Advisers predict returns uptick in face of increased market volatility until 2030

Investor Confidence Barometer from Scottish Widows

Jenna Brown
clock 07 January 2026 • 2 min read
Advisers see more market volatility coming in 2026

Advisers see more market volatility coming in 2026

Uncertainty over the global economy and UK inflation rate

Isabel Baxter
clock 06 January 2026 • 2 min read
Inflation falls faster than predicted ahead of BoE interest rate vote

Inflation falls faster than predicted ahead of BoE interest rate vote

3.2% in November

Michael Nelson
clock 17 December 2025 • 2 min read