The TaxPayers’ Alliance wants business rates to be reformed February 27, 2017 The TaxPayers' Alliance has suggested that business rates are a “bad tax” and could be replaced altogether. The campaign group proposed several reforms to the current system including automating revaluations annually to avoid so-called “cliff edges” when business rates suddenly jump. Today's recommendations come as a result of the first revaluation of business rates since [...]
Government raises awareness of workers’ rights ahead of minimum wage increase February 27, 2017 The government is preparing for the upcoming increases to the national minimum wage and living wage by kicking off an awareness-raising campaign today. The new initiative aims to increase low-paid workers' understanding of their rights to fair pay, following a poll showing that workers earning less that £15,000 a year were confused about what their [...]
America would gain nothing from cosying up to Putin’s declining Russia February 27, 2017 It has been three years since Russia’s stunning annexation of Crimea. It is the worst kept secret in Washington that the new administration of Donald Trump would like to turn the page on the US-Russian hostility that followed, in a transactional effort to remake US foreign policy. At the heart of Trump’s Jacksonian nationalism is his [...]
Days of promise lie ahead for British firms selling to booming Asian markets February 27, 2017 I returned yesterday from my latest trade mission to Hong Kong, mainland China and South Korea, which I undertook with the aim of exploring business opportunities across Asia for Britain. This is a crucial moment for the UK’s economic relationship with key overseas partners, in particular China, and expanding our economic ties in the most important [...]
Embed purpose into business so that it flourishes for the benefit of all February 27, 2017 UK business is at a critical juncture. Low investment and low productivity have been compounded by perceptions that their fruits are unequally shared. The government’s recent green papers on corporate governance and industrial strategy signal a serious intent to address these problems by revitalising the productivity of business, reorienting its focus onto the long run, [...]
Ministers probe plan to cut NI contributions for firms recruiting ex-offenders February 27, 2017 Ministers are exploring whether firms should be offered financial incentives to recruit ex-offenders. Options being considered include reducing National Insurance contributions if employers take on former prisoners. The plans emerged as part of the government's response to a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which calls on ministers to provide more support to ex-offenders. Read More: Ex-migration chief [...]
Interest rate rise could push 18,000 more into bankruptcy February 27, 2017 A hike in interest rates will push thousands more Britons into bankruptcy, according to calculations from the government’s Insolvency Service. The forecasts show an extra 18,000 people could be pushed into insolvency by 2020 if rates rise by one per cent, says accountancy firm Moore Stephens. If rates rise, 275,900 people will be bankrupted by [...]
Labour is still embroiled in a decades-long battle to decide what it stands for February 27, 2017 Nearly 60 years ago Denis Healey delivered a speech to the Labour party conference that has since become famous among Britain’s left-leaning political activists and commentators. Labour had just suffered a bruising third-straight General Election defeat, with the Conservatives storming to a three-figure majority under the leadership of Harold Macmillan. “There are far too many [...]
Why artificial intelligence is about to get real backing in the government’s Digital Strategy February 27, 2017 Artificial intelligence (AI) has long captured people’s imaginations. It has been a theme of science fiction novels and films for more than half a century and, while reality has always seemed a long way behind the fiction, that is now changing. AI is finally living up to its promise and has the potential to improve almost [...]
London’s mid-sized businesses must not be overlooked in Brexit talks February 27, 2017 London's mid-sized firms risk being overlooked during Britain’s departure from the European Union, according to new research published by BDO. The accountancy firm is calling on the government to take into account the needs of London’s mid-sized firms during Brexit negotiations. The report claims mid-sized firms are driving more growth in the UK than the [...]