Why Chancellor Rachel Reeves opted for the ‘jobs tax’ in the Budget January 28, 2025 The government has frantically been searching for a story to tell on the economy since the turn of the year, after the Budget was so poorly received by both businesses and households.
Pension industry backs Reeves’ £160bn investment drive January 28, 2025 The pensions industry has said it is willing to back the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plans to unlock up to £160bn in corporate surpluses if retirees are given “appropriate protection” by the government. Reeves and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to meet with business leaders in the City of London today to outline pension [...]
Glaring contradiction at heart of government growth agenda January 28, 2025 In the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 (stay with me) the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading were abolished, and in their place emerged the Competition and Markets Authority. The 2013 Act enshrined the regulator’s remit and responsibilities, with a hefty focus on protecting consumers. On the CMA’s website, they summarise [...]
London City Airport targets leisure travel with bid for A320neo January 27, 2025 London City Airport has submitted an application to Britain’s aviation regulator to enable flights using Airbus’s A320neo aircraft, it revealed on Monday. The Newham-based hub said it sees the introduction of the A320neo as “key to building its leisure offering,” given the aircraft can carry over 180 passengers and travel over 1,000km. London City has [...]
CMA to “brainstorm” growth ideas with business groups as pressure mounts January 27, 2025 The competition watchdog is set to be grilled by some of the UK’s biggest business bodies tomorrow as it looks to shore up confidence following the ousting of its chair by ministers last week. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has faced anger from both the government and private sector over what has been [...]
Bigger airports will get growth off the ground January 27, 2025 Anyone who believes in growth should applaud rumours that Rachel Reeves will allow London’s airports to expand, says Jasper Ostle Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be throwing her authority behind the expansion of Britain’s airports, particularly Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick. It’s a courageous effort to accelerate necessary development: she will face opposition from colleagues, local [...]
How to shield your pension from Labour’s inheritance tax raid January 27, 2025 Financial advisers are cautioning against taking extreme measures in response to the government’s plans to slap inheritance tax on unspent pension pots from April 2027. However, there are some measures that savers can take as part of their overall estate planning strategy. Pension pots are usually exempt from inheritance tax. But in last October’s Budget, [...]
‘I’m still going to leave’: Reeves’ non-dom concession is not enough for London’s super rich January 27, 2025 Amid an exodus of the country’s millionaires and billionaires, the government is revisiting its reforms to the non-dom regime. But the recent changes floated by the Chancellor have been given short shrift by non-doms and their advisers. Ali Lyon explores what might actually stem the departures of the UK’s wealthy foreigners. In the clandestine and [...]
This government has proven woefully naive. Just look at the ‘Office for Value for Money’ January 27, 2025 Reeves' failing Office for Value for Money showcases just how naive this government is, writes Eliot Wilson.
UK economy: Firms prepare to cut staff as they brace for slowdown, CBI says January 27, 2025 A persistent slowdown in activity among private sector firms could weigh on economic growth over the coming months, with businesses set to cut staff and raise prices, according to a survey. The upcoming increase to national insurance contributions has prompted firms to assess their budgets urgently, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said. Output across [...]