Growth is now near impossible. Here are 7 pleas for Reeves’ Spring Budget February 19, 2025 Growth is impossible if we continue on as we are but the Spring Budget is a chance for change, writes Steve Rigby.
Budget policies coming home to roost February 18, 2025 With each passing day, the government’s insistence that economic growth is its “number one priority” sounds more and more offensive. Just a few days ago, the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said he believes that “good policy, good strategies, and good government working hand-in-hand with the private sector, can make a difference.” This may be true, [...]
Treasury refused permission to intervene in motor finance battle February 17, 2025 The Supreme Court has rejected the Treasury's application to intervene in the upcoming hearing over the motor finance scandal
Shield your assets from inheritance tax with life insurance February 17, 2025 Inheritance tax entered the headlines last year when the Labour government used its first budget to announce measures designed to close loopholes and raise funds, prompting savers and advisers to reconsider their financial planning. The government’s proposals include plans to impose inheritance tax on unspent pensions from April 2027 and a pledge to reform the [...]
Reeves expected to float income tax hikes next month February 15, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to float income tax rises next month as she attempts to stick to the government’s fiscal rules. A freeze on income tax thresholds is currently being discussed in the Treasury, which could raise as much as £4bn a year, according to reports from the Financial Times. One aide told reports [...]
The Week in Business: Is Net Zero going out of fashion? February 14, 2025 Just a few short years ago BP proudly told us they were embarking on a journey – and I quote – “in support of our purpose to reimagine energy for people and our planet, and our ambition to become a Net Zero company by 2050 or sooner and help the world get to Net Zero.” [...]
Everything family businesses should know ahead of Reeves’ tax changes February 14, 2025 Rachel Reeves' Budget has thrown up new obstacles for family businesses. Stephanie Parish tells you why you should plan ahead now.
Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ in HBOS banking job February 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves was investigated over her use of expenses while working in a banking job before becoming an MP. The Chancellor, alongside two colleagues, was subject to an internal probe into expenses claims, while she was a senior manager at Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in the late 2000s, the BBC has revealed. Reeves is [...]
The public isn’t buying Labour’s growth story February 13, 2025 Today’s growth figures will have elicited a sigh of relief across the government. A meagre 0.1 per cent uptick is certainly better than a recession. Though the news is not all good. The economy is smaller on a per capita terms, and when you dig down into the data, private sector activity is shrinking. An [...]
Rachel Reeves tax raid ‘unlikely to succeed’, analysts warn February 13, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ attempts to put the public finances on firmer ground through tax hikes are “unlikely to succeed,” according to analysts at Oxford Economics. Collecting evidence from a range of ‘fiscal adjustments’ – attempts by governments to balance their budget deficits – Edward Allenby and Adam Slater said attempts to balance the budget through [...]