Taxes too high where you live? It’s time to vote with your feet October 4, 2019 Moving is the ultimate form of tax avoidance. It is legal and effective – although rather drastic. Often we think in terms of a person or business relocating from one country to another. Last year Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest businessman, decided to move to Monaco. In 2010, his company Ienos moved its headquarters to [...]
DEBATE: Should we be worried about yesterday’s services sector PMI data? October 4, 2019 Should we be worried about yesterday’s services sector PMI data? Simon Wilson, director at Icon Solutions, says YES. The UK services sector represents around 80 per cent of our overall economic output, so a contraction in this area should set alarm bells ringing for economists and business owners. The City serves as the engine of [...]
DEBATE: Can we really foresee a time when owning status symbols will be a thing of the past? October 4, 2019 Can we really foresee a time when owning status symbols will be a thing of the past? Mark Davis, co-founder and creative director of property branding agency me&dave, says YES. It’s already happening. The way we live is changing, as are the things we care about, and this is affecting our attitudes to the old [...]
UK still an attractive place to invest despite Brexit uncertainty, report finds October 4, 2019 The UK has retained its position as one of the world’s leading hubs for business, according to a new report which suggest investors have taken a ‘wait-and-see’ approach towards Brexit. In a comprehensive global index released this morning, the UK was ranked as one of the best global hubs for business, scoring highly for its [...]
Rising UK recession risk frightens businesses October 4, 2019 The spectre of recession is looming over the British economy with the country’s huge services sector having contracted in September, according to closely-watched survey data from yesterday. Read more: UK recession alarm bells ring as UK service sector contracts The sector – which makes up about 80 per cent of the UK economy – saw [...]
IFS warns government against fuel duty cut October 4, 2019 The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned the government against cutting fuel tax by 2p per litre in the upcoming budget, which it is reportedly considering, saying it would cost the government £1bn a year in lost revenue. Read more: Fuel duty cut on the cards as threat of general election looms The IFS, [...]
City moves for 4 October – Who’s switching jobs at Cebr, Element and Bricklane? October 4, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Cebr, Element and Bricklane Cebr The Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) have appointed Nina Skero as chief executive. Nina is currently director of operations at Cebr, and previously served as head of macroeconomics at the research institute. As a member of Cebr’s senior leadership team, she has played an [...]
Sajid Javid: Why politics can learn from City meritocracy October 4, 2019 Sajid Javid retains a great affection for the City, describing it as a true meritocracy where all that really matters is how good you are at your job. Westminster, he adds, could learn a thing or two from the City’s efforts to promote and increase diversity. Read more: Sajid Javid pledges to raise National Living [...]
Doom and gloom: Small businesses suffering from ‘dogged lack of confidence’ amid Brexit uncertainty October 4, 2019 More small companies are glum about their business prospects than at any time in the last five years, as calls for a Brexit deal ratchet up. Butchers, bakers and cafes up and down Britain have called on the government to clinch a deal with the EU to end a “dogged lack of confidence” among small [...]
Worst September in eight years for high street sales October 4, 2019 Last month was the worst September on the high street in eight years as sales in bricks and mortar stores plummeted. Total like-for-like in-store sales fell by 3.1 per cent last month from a base of minus 2.7 per cent last year, making it the worst September on the high street since 2011, according to [...]