VOA标准英语2009年-Britain to Get Tough Over Bank Bonuses at Taxpa

Britain's Treasury¹ Secretary has ordered an independent review into the bonus structure of British banks that are being propped² up by the British taxpayer³.

Media reports here indicate that The Royal Bank of Scotland may be considering bonus payments this year totaling around $1.5 billion.
　
Britain's Chancellor⁴ of the Exchequer⁵ Alistair Darling (File)

British Treasury Secretary Alistair Darling says he understands no figures have been agreed on, but he maintains the bank's failure, and failures at other financial institutions that are also now taxpayer-supported, should not be rewarded.

"No one that is associated with these large losses should be allowed to walk away with large cash bonuses," said Darling. "Now, obviously, there are contractual problems with some staff, and, indeed, if you look at, if your average teller⁶ across the counter, who you meet -- they are not terribly well paid, and I do not think anyone would quarrel with making sure they are properly rewarded."

RBS received a $30 billion lifeline from the British taxpayer in October and it expects record losses for 2008.

With the public now holding a 68 percent stake in the institution, Darling says big bonuses will no longer be viewed as business as usual.

"What is wrong though is that, where[as], in the past, a bonus was something special you got as a result for hard work, or you are putting in an extra effort, over the years, a lot of bankers have come to expect, it is a right, very large bonuses, and that just cannot go on."

The treasury spokesman for the main opposition⁷ Conservative party, George Osborne, agrees that the way banks operated in the past will no longer be tolerated.

"The party is over for the banks. You cannot go on paying yourselves 20 times what a heart surgeon earns," said Osborne. "So, that whole culture has to come to an end, and I think the bankers, and, indeed, the government have to understand, you cannot just re-inflate the balloon that burst. You have to look to a new banking⁸ settlement, a new economic model that is much more stable."

Alistair Darling says he will announce who will chair the review into bank bonuses and risk-management on Monday.

U.S. President Barack Obama has imposed a $500,000 cap on the salaries of top American executives at some banks receiving taxpayer money.

1 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

2 propped   

支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He sat propped up in the bed by pillows. 他靠着枕头坐在床上。
• This fence should be propped up. 这栅栏该用东西支一支。

3 taxpayer   

n.纳税人

参考例句：

• The new scheme will run off with a lot of the taxpayer's money.这项新计划将用去纳税人许多钱。
• The taxpayer are unfavourably disposed towards the recent tax increase.纳税者对最近的增加税收十分反感。

4 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

5 exchequer   

n.财政部；国库

参考例句：

• In Britain the Chancellor of the Exchequer deals with taxes and government spending.英国的财政大臣负责税务和政府的开支。
• This resulted in a considerable loss to the exchequer.这使国库遭受了重大损失。

6 teller   

n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员

参考例句：

• The bank started her as a teller.银行起用她当出纳员。
• The teller tried to remain aloof and calm.出纳员力图保持冷漠和镇静。

7 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

8 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。