Tax hikes to derail UK economy at the final hurdle October 14, 2021 Imposing punitive tax hikes on businesses will blow the UK economic recovery off course just as it is in touching distance of reaching pre-pandemic strength. That’s the warning to Chancellor Rishi Sunak from economists and industry leaders after data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed Britain is inches away from full repair. “Our [...]
Top industry brass press Sunak on business rates overhaul October 14, 2021 The UK’s top business groups who represent over 9m workers are pressing Chancellor Rishi Sunak to overhaul the business rates regime. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), alongside 41 trade associations acting on behalf of 261,000 businesses, have called on Sunak to reduce the burden of business rates on firms at this month’s budget to [...]
Here we go: EU proposes to cut checks by 80 per cent, less Brexit paperwork and free medicine flow October 13, 2021 EU proposals to reframe the Northern Ireland protocol are in as the European Commission released the details this afternoon. It is proposing to cut spot checks, reduce paperwork and make the flow of medicines easier. The EU proposals to address practical difficulties around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol cover four specific areas, with [...]
Bank of England scraps closed-door briefings with banks October 13, 2021 The Bank of England has scrapped holding private meetings with banks and financial institutions in a bid to raise transparency at the central bank. The shift in position comes after pressure on the world’s leading central banks to stop hosting off the record briefings with banks mounted following European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane [...]
Swelling food and energy costs lift US inflation October 13, 2021 A jump in food prices and energy costs drove inflation in America to a fiery clip in September, testing Fed chair Jerome Powell’s insistence that price rises are transitory. On an annual basis, US inflation hit 5.4 per cent last month, according to the Labor Department. Higher prices for food, which rose 4.6 per cent, [...]
HGV driver shortage restricts UK trade October 13, 2021 A reduction in trade with the EU drove down British exports as lorry driver shortages scupper the normal functioning of trade flows. Exports were £1.3bn lower in August compared to July, driven by a £600m fall in trade with EU countries, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The contraction in exports was primarily [...]
UK economy returns to growth in August amid staycation boom October 13, 2021 The UK economy returned to growth amid a boom in staycation spending and Brits making the most of an easing in self-isolation rules by rushing to pubs, bars and restaurants. The economy expanded 0.4 per cent in August, a resumption to growth after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) marked down July’s figure to minus [...]
Government drive to digitise tax is swelling costs for small businesses, warns FSB October 13, 2021 A government push to make filing tax returns digital has significantly increased administrative costs for British businesses. Small firms that have switched to the making tax digital programme are each spending an average of £4,562 and 52 hours a year on tax compliance, research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found. However, businesses that [...]
Cabinet office minister warns businesses giving bonuses and dividends to not expect government support October 12, 2021 Struggling companies facing high gas prices could be refused a government bailout this winter if they have paid out big dividends and bonuses. Cabinet office minister Steve Barclay told Times Radio that the Treasury would scrutinise whether any interventions represented “value for money”. He said: “It’s right from a taxpayer point of view, mindful of [...]
Right tax cuts will boost UK economy and unlock SME investment, says City investor October 12, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently refused to rule out further tax rises, calling the pandemic a “fiscal meteorite”. Speaking at the Tory Party conference in Manchester, the Prime Minister praised the UK’s economic recovery which is so far ahead of other G7 nations. Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg highlighted that the country was already at the “upper [...]