Khan: Tourist tax-free shopping u-turn bad for London’s businesses October 18, 2022 Sadiq Khan has slammed the government’s decision to u-turn on a plan to give tourists tax-free shopping. The Mayor of London said he “absolutely” shared the concerns of West End businesses, who have expressed disappointment that the capital will lag behind other cities’ in efforts to welcome high-spending foreign visitors. “VAT-free shopping for international tourists [...]
Shares jump for housebuilders as stamp duty survives mini-budget u-turns October 17, 2022 Shares jumped for this afternoon after stamp duty cuts survived Jeremy Hunt’s mini-budget backtrack. Major players like Barratt Developments, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey all saw their stock rally after the new chancellor’s emergency statement this morning. Barratt’s shares climbed nearly four per cent, whilst Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey were up nearly five per cent. Hunt [...]
Pubs and brewers disappointed by alcohol duty reversal ahead of ‘toughest winter in history’ October 17, 2022 Pubs will be “hit extremely hard” this winter after the government scrapped an upcoming alcohol duty freeze, industry chiefs said. The duty freeze was one of many policies consigned to a bonfire of tax cuts from newly-appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Monday. Announced just a few weeks ago by Hunt’s predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng, the move would [...]
VAT free shopping U-turn ‘major blow’ for West End as tourists shun London for Paris and Milan October 17, 2022 Scrapping VAT free shopping for tourists is a “major blow” for London and the country’s economy, a group representing luxury stores in the West End and other retail hotspots has said. Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail (AIR) – whose members range from Bicester Village to Heathrow Airport – told CityA.M. the [...]
Nadine Dorries calls for Boris Johnson to return as Prime Minister October 17, 2022 Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has the Conservatives should reinstall Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. The staunch ally of the ex PM took to Twitter ahead of chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s bombshell statement on Monday morning. Hunt announced the UK’s energy bills freeze will only be universal until April and binned the majority of Liz Truss’ [...]
Moscow’s elite in shock as another close Putin ally suddenly dies: Gazprom ‘wonderkid’ and Kremlin insider Nikolay Petrunin is no more October 17, 2022 Rumours are flying in Moscow today as it has emerged that another one of Vladimir Putin’s close allies has suddenly dies. Nikolay Petrunin, a 46-year-old Russian multimillionaire and a close confidant of the Russian president, is no more. The official reason by authorities was that the Gazprom executive has died as a result of complications [...]
Hunt to make statement on fiscal plan TODAY in bid to calm markets October 17, 2022 Jeremy Hunt will make an announcement today in Parliament about the government’s so-called Medium-Term Fiscal Plan. The chancellor’s statement is a bid to calm the markets, bringing forward the details of the now much-derided mini-budget, outlined by his predecessor. Hunt will issue his plans later today and also speak in the House of Commons this afternoon. [...]
Sadiq Khan announces return of in-person New Year’s Eve fireworks display to capital October 14, 2022 Up to 100,000 people will return to the banks of the Thames for London’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations after two years of Covid cancellation. Ticketholders will be able to watch the fireworks display in the centre of London for the first time since 2019, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced. Coronavirus restrictions prevented the display [...]
Boris Johnson pockets £150k in 30 mins as former PM skips crucial Commons vote to jet off to Colorado October 13, 2022 Former prime minister Boris Johnson touched down in the USA on Tuesday as the ex-Tory leader gave a speech to an insurance industry group on Tuesday afternoon, thereby reportedly collecting around £150,000 for a 30 mins speech. Johnson addressed conference delegates in Colorado Springs, roughly at the same time while the House of Commons was [...]
Exclusive: Ex Tory chair Baroness Warsi says PM Liz Truss should call a General Election October 12, 2022 A former chair of the Conservative Party has said Prime Minister Liz Truss should call a General Election. Speaking exclusively to City A.M., Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said prime minister Liz Truss either “had to just carry on with the 2019 manifesto – or go to the electorate” upon entering Number 10. “Because neither of those [...]