Optimism among UK SMEs rises for third straight year September 23, 2024 Optimism among the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses has grown for a third consecutive year in a positive sign for the domestic economy, according to fresh data. Around seven in ten SMEs said they felt confident about the future of their company, rising from 67 per cent in 2023 and 65 per cent in 2022, [...]
The UK economy is suffering from long Covid and a short memory September 23, 2024 We may have ditched the testing swabs and face masks, but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is still being felt. Quite understandably, we’d rather consign that era to history, but the scale of the costs incurred makes that impossible. The official inquiry is attempting to get to grips with questions of preparedness, decision making [...]
Politicians should remember: the road to economic growth passes through the City September 23, 2024 Politicians need to prioritise and capitalise on the power of financial and professional services, writes Chris Hayward
Starmer arrives at Labour conference with promise to rebuild UK September 21, 2024 Sir Keir Starmer said Labour was “rebuilding our country”, as he arrived at his party’s conference intent on shifting attention away from rows over donations and internal No 10 infighting. The Prime Minister said “change has started” as he arrived at the Liverpool conference centre. But the feel-good factor of Labour’s landslide win in July’s [...]
UK economy: After a busy week, the foundations look solid September 20, 2024 With inflation low and further rate cuts to come the UK economy remains on relatively solid foundations.
Summer of sport helps provide respite but insolvency trend continues September 20, 2024 A summer of sport and warmer weather helped provide some respite to the retail and hospitality industries in England and Wales helped the number of insolvencies dip last month compared to July, according to new figures. Around 10,000 individuals entered insolvency in August 2024, five per cent lower than July’s total but 16 per cent [...]
‘No doubt’ of inheritance tax reform as government books a record haul from the levy September 20, 2024 New figures from HMRC showed inheritance tax receipts hit £3.5bn between April and August, £300m higher than the same period last year.
Use Budget to urgently review UK’s tax system, accountants urge Reeves September 20, 2024 Rachel Reeves should use the Budget next month to urgently review the UK’s tax system, including business rates and VAT, a chartered accountants group has urged. The Chancellor has been called on to set out the government’s plans to reform business rates, VAT and employment status by the end of the year in the fiscal [...]
Government borrowing jumps as threat of tax hikes grows September 20, 2024 The figures come just over a month before Rachel Reeves delivers her first Budget as Chancellor.
Consumer confidence sinks as Brits ‘nervously await’ Budget September 20, 2024 Key future indicators of consumer confidence all sharply fell in September as Brits nervously awaited policy announcements in the Autumn Budget, according to fresh data. GfK’s long-running consumer confidence index fell sharply to -20 in September overall, with all measures – including personal finances, economy and purchase intentions – down month-on-month. “Headline consumer confidence has… [...]