Former culture secretary John Whittingdale sees no problem with 21st Century Fox-Sky deal (but would refer it to Ofcom) March 8, 2017 Former culture secretary John Whittingdale has said he does not have a problem with 21st Century Fox’s Sky takeover and believes Channel 4 could thrive if sold off by the government. Whittingdale, who held the position until last year, was speaking at a time when his successor, Karen Bradley, is considering whether to refer Fox’s [...]
Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox tells government: Sky takeover is “in the interest of the UK” March 8, 2017 Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has written to the government setting out why its Sky takeover is “in the interest of the UK, its creative economy and its consumers”. Culture secretary Karen Bradley is currently considering whether to refer the £11.7bn deal to broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Read more: Murdoch Empire 2.0 or socialist witch-hunt? MPs [...]
Budget 2017: Here’s how the Budget will affect landlords and the buy-to-let sector March 8, 2017 With the housing crisis in full throes, the last few years have been difficult ones to be a landlord – indeed, many have felt punished by measures such as an end to mortgage tax relief and higher stamp duty on buy-to-let homes. The good news for landlords was that today's Budget didn't include any further [...]
Budget 2017 UK: Nope, driverless cars are not in the Budget, Philip Hammond just used them for laughs about Corbyn’s Labour leadership March 8, 2017 You'd be forgiven for thinking that driverless cars are getting a major boost with plans announced in today's Budget to help the UK become a top player in automotive automation. For anyone listening to chancellor Philip Hammond's speech (or reading through the transcript), there was indeed mention of funding for disruptive technologies such as "biotech, robotics and driverless cars". [...]
Budget 2017: Government announces plans to crack down on VAT evasion March 8, 2017 The government is cracking down on overseas traders that avoid paying UK VAT. In the Spring Budget today the Treasury has said that it will be putting in place measures to stop traders from undercutting UK businesses online by charging less and not paying tax on UK sales. To draw up a new collection method for VAT, [...]
Spring Budget: The OBR is still too pessimistic about UK growth this year March 8, 2017 The biggest story in the Budget wasn’t big news. It had been well flagged in advance that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was revising up its GDP growth forecast to 2 per cent in 2017. In November last year, the OBR expected just 1.4 per cent GDP growth this year. HM Treasury’s latest monthly survey [...]
Budget 2017: Two unusual places the government is raking in the cash March 8, 2017 Experts have highlighted two surprising sources that either have, or are set to be, lucrative sources of income for chancellor Philip Hammond. Buried in the reams of figures that accompany the Treasury's budget are a couple of streams that will help to bolster Whitehall's coffers. 1 – Pensions freedoms PwC's chief actuary Steven Dicker explained how [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan welcomes progress made on devolution to London in the Budget March 8, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered a historic devolution agreement for Londoners today to "protect jobs and investment in the aftermath of Brexit". The devolution agreement focussed on infrastructure projects to help London mayor Sadiq Khan upgrade the capital's road, rail and Underground networks and boost its economy. It also confirmed the devolution of new powers to allow the mayor [...]
Budget 2017: Business reacts to government’s relief measures for business rates March 8, 2017 Today, chancellor Philip Hammond announced a handful of measures intended to cushion the blow of business rate rises this year, including a £300m relief fund that will be distributed to local authorities. In addition, Hammond said small pubs will get a £1,000 reduction on their business rates bill this year, a handout that will help [...]
Budget 2017: Winners and losers of Philip Hammond’s Spring Budget March 8, 2017 Today, chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his first (and last) Spring Budget. Here are the day's winners and losers. Read more: Budget 2017: Philip Hammond's speech in full Winners Tech got quite the showing in Hammond's Budget. The chancellor pledged millions of pounds of fresh funding for disruptive new technologies like robotics, electric cars and biotech along with plans to [...]