Dame Amanda Blanc, the chief executive of the insurance giant Aviva, has urged the UK government to refrain from what she describes as 'flying kites' regarding potential policy shifts before the official budget announcement on October 28. In business terminology, 'flying kites' refers to the practice of leaking or floating ideas to the public or media to gauge reaction before a formal policy is set.

Blanc argues that this practice creates a climate of instability that negatively impacts business planning and investor confidence. By signaling potential tax or regulatory changes through unofficial channels, the government inadvertently forces companies to react to rumors rather than concrete legislation. The Aviva boss suggests that a more disciplined approach to budget communications would provide the clarity necessary for long-term economic stability.

While the government has not issued a formal response to Blanc’s specific request, the tension between the need for public consultation and the desire for market stability remains a recurring theme in UK fiscal policy. The Independent reports that Blanc is seeking a more predictable environment, emphasizing that the current trend of pre-budget speculation is counterproductive for the financial sector. The report focuses on the perspective of the private sector, highlighting the frustration felt by corporate leaders when faced with a shifting landscape of rumors in the weeks leading up to major fiscal events.