Inheritance tax changes are coming – how should you prepare? February 4, 2025 Speculation is mounting that the government may charge inheritance tax on pensions and extend the seven-year gifting rule. So how can you make sure you can pass on wealth to the next generation? Duncan Bailey explains The Budget has given businesses and individuals much to consider with announcements made around spending, national insurance contributions for [...]
Trump’s tariffs reveal reality of Dealmaker-in-Chief February 4, 2025 Things happen quickly in Trump’s America. On Saturday, the US President announced sweeping tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, in a move that sparked panic among allies as far away as Japan and the EU. By yesterday afternoon, analysts were predicting that the Canadian and Mexican economies would be plunged into recession as [...]
Dear developers, no one actually wants all these retail units February 4, 2025 Big retail units may appeal to developers' fantasies about what towns could be. But they need to focus on actual demand, writes John Andrews.
Over-complicated pensions are wasting UK growth potential February 4, 2025 The UK pension industry has the potential to significantly influence economic growth - so let's do it, says Phoenix Group's Mike Eakins.
Does Scotland actually want to ban cats? February 3, 2025 An SNP report about cat ownership has produced a flurry of headlines over an approaching “cat ban” in Scotland. But is it true?
Trump’s tariffs: Short-term tactic or the start of a trade war? February 3, 2025 It’s not yet clear whether Trump’s threat of tariffs on the EU are intended as a shock and awe tactic to boost US exports or a more considered effort at reshaping global trade. Either way, we’re in for a period of economic volatility, says Andrew Hammond China, Canada, and Mexico are in the process of [...]
Businesses welcome Reeves’ growth agenda but what about the public? February 3, 2025 Rachel Reeves is talking a good game on growth, but Labour won’t be rewarded at the ballot box unless they can help ordinary people to feel better off, says Theresa Bischof Growth is in. And so too, is business apparently. Last week, Rachel Reeves and her growth brigade took a trip to Siemens in Witney [...]
What do TV audiences really want from news? February 3, 2025 As Sky News announces a seismic overhaul of its newsroom it’s clear that what audiences demand of ‘news’ is changing. Meeting these demands, to a high quality and at a profit, is a huge challenge for journalists, says Eliot Wilson Last week, David Rhodes, the executive chairman of Sky News Group, outlined a new strategy [...]
Bold action and optimism! Let’s hope the Chancellor’s confidence is contagious February 3, 2025 Promises of bold action from the Chancellor are gratefully heard in the City. Let's not let this opportunity for growth pass, writes Chris Hayward.
We need a Hippocratic oath for planning rules: First do no harm February 2, 2025 Planning has become so complicated that applications get approved despite the system rather than because of it. If we want growth, we must accept that regulations cannot be used to solve every societal problem, says Gordon Adams To misquote Sir Humphrey, the English planning system has the engine of a lawn mower and the brakes [...]