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 [...]
New CMA chair to take pro-growth approach after Reeves intervention January 26, 2025 The UK’s competition regulator will get behind Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ pro-growth demands after a new coalition of Labour MPs called for a “rapid review” of all ongoing work. Labour’s Growth Group, a centrist movement of around 110 MPs and ministers, said it had written to new interim chair Doug Gurr and chief executive Sarah Cardell [...]
Reeves all but confirms backing for third Heathrow runway January 26, 2025 Rachel Reeves suggested the full Cabinet must back any potential expansion of Heathrow Airport despite previous opposition from senior Government figures, as she all but confirmed plans to endorse a third runway. The Chancellor refused to be drawn on “speculation” over an upcoming announcement she is expected to make about the project but said decisions [...]
Reeves pledges planning reform shake-up to boost growth January 26, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to cut red tape for building homes and infrastructure in a bid to speed up planning application approvals. Ahead of Reeves’ speech next week on economic growth, the government unveiled its new Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will be introduced in the spring and help push its plan to build [...]
Dispatch from Davos 2025: Did Reeves impress? January 24, 2025 Rachel Reeves promised to "sell Britain" at Davos 2025, but did she succeed? Comms afficionado Zaki Cooper reports from the Swiss Alps.
The Week in Business: Reeves tries to rescue the non-doms January 24, 2025 It’s a funny old world when the pleas of pensioners, farmers and shopkeepers fall on deaf ears but a Labour chancellor flies to Davos to break the news that she’s “listened to the concerns of the non-dom community” – and will be watering down her assault on their tax arrangements. Let’s take a look at [...]
Firms finding it ‘almost impossible’ to survive after Labour tax hikes January 24, 2025 Less than three months after the Budget, critical financial distress for UK businesses climbs by 50 per cent, with the construction sector leading the table
Lawyers raise questions as Labour muscles in on legal rulings January 24, 2025 The government plans to intervene in several legal matters, including motor finance case and judicial review challenges, in a move that has some lawyers raising an eyebrow.
If the Chancellor wants growth she must restore business confidence January 24, 2025 Confidence is fundamental to how businesses choose to invest and grow and at the moment it’s poor. If the Chancellor wants to turn this around she must listen to the City, says Sir Michael Snyder With the UK economy in the spotlight amid rising bond yields, high national debt, concerns over inflation and rising taxes, [...]