Budget pension consolidation raises ‘serious concerns’ for UK small firms November 26, 2024 Fund managers that invest in UK small companies have “serious concerns” that plans to consolidate pension schemes might lead to even more money flowing out of British businesses. The plan, announced at Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ inaugural Mansion House speech earlier this month, would combine 86 different local government pension schemes manage assets between £300m and [...]
The UK has the tools, talent and expertise to unlock growth November 18, 2024 In a competitive global environment, Britain has everything it needs to succeed, but there are a few ways the government could help, says Chris Hayward The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech laid out a bold and detailed vision for the UK’s economy and financial services sector. The message is clear: Britain is not only primed for [...]
UK fund withdrawals reach largest on record amid Budget panic November 4, 2024 UK equity fund withdrawals reached their largest on record in October as investors pulled billions out of markets to escape tax rises in the Budget. Investors sold a £2.7bn stake in funds throughout the month in anticipation of Chancellor Rachel Reeves hiking capital gains tax, up from £564m of withdrawals in September, according to data [...]
UK dividends fall sharply amid mining payout cuts October 24, 2024 UK dividends fell sharply throughout last quarter as the mining sector cut dividends by £2.6bn and a strong pound pushed down payouts. Dividends from UK companies totalled £25.6bn in the third quarter, down £2.6bn or 8.1 per cent from the same period last year, according to the latest Dividend Monitor report from Computershare. The drop [...]
Class action boom in UK is yet another disincentive to investing here October 24, 2024 As the country holds its collective breath ahead of next week’s Budget, it’s fair to say that business confidence in the UK is lower than the Treasury might like. Last week, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) reported that business confidence had fallen to a 12-month low, while the Institute of [...]
Borrowing to invest is all very well but what about value for money? October 23, 2024 The precise contents of the budget are still secret. But a widely trailed theme is that the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, wants to create as much scope as possible for extra public sector investment. She appears to be willing to rewrite the existing fiscal rules in order to accommodate the increase. In principle of course there [...]
Government pledge to make UK “top destination for women’s sport investment” October 23, 2024 The government has today pledged to make the United Kingdom a “top destination for women’s sport investment”. Investment minister Poppy Gustafsson, formerly of Darktrace, has launched the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator scheme to bring together 20 leagues and teams with investors to boost commercial activity in women’s sport. The participating sports include football, cricket, rugby, [...]
Capital isn’t the issue – there aren’t enough UK projects to invest in October 16, 2024 My company is raring to invest billions into the economy, but there's nowhere for the money to go, writes Tracy Blackwell.
International Investment Summit showcased the best of Britain October 15, 2024 After years of uncertainty about the vision and direction of the UK, investors should once again view Britain as serious about leading the race to a greener economy and being the go-to destination for inward investment, says John Caudwell Britain pioneered industrialisation. The entrepreneurialism of British engineers and innovators sparked the first industrial revolution, a [...]
The UK is an economic powerhouse – and we should know October 14, 2024 Brits should be less British about boasting about the strengths of our economy and our enduring spirit of entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation, says Saker Nusseibeh It is a common characteristic of our national discourse to err towards the negative. An inclination to see, but not celebrate, what this country already does so well. Perhaps it [...]