Budget 2016: Before small businesses celebrate George Osborne’s speech, they should check the small print for details March 16, 2016 The review of the small business rate relief scheme in chancellor George Osborne’s latest Budget is a very welcome one for UK businesses and is a better outcome than many expected. The news that many more qualifying businesses will pay no rates whatsoever from 2017 is also cause for celebration for small business throughout the [...]
Budget 2016: With Crossrail 2 and the opportunity for London to keep its business rates, there were bright spots for the capital March 16, 2016 With the ‘storm clouds gathering’, the Budget revealed additional pain for public servants – an extra £3.5bn in spending cuts over the remainder of the parliament. For many this Budget will feel like just another twist in the story of fiscal austerity over this decade, adding further momentum to massive changes that are already under [...]
Budget 2016: The ‘Graph of Doom’ and the UK’s £100bn secret weapon March 16, 2016 Another budget, another round of public funding cuts. Whatever the efficacy of George Osborne’s latest round of cuts to public services, one thing is increasingly clear: while government backs British business to flourish and focuses on ensuring the UK is ‘living within its means’, someone must fill the growing public services gap. When projecting their future spending power [...]
Budget 2016: Private investors have plenty to cheer – but indirect investors might be hurt by some of George Osborne’s new proposals March 16, 2016 What was dubbed the "sugar tax Budget" might appear at first glance to be sweet for investors and entrepreneurs – but it contains a subtle swipe at indirect investors. Alongside a raft of political rhetoric and tax savings for small businesses, designed to soften the impact of the new dividend tax, there were impressive tax savings announced to [...]
Budget 2016: The sugar tax would be laughable if it weren’t so pathetic March 16, 2016 George Osborne’s Budgets have a reputation for pulling populist rabbits out of hats. Last time it was the so-called living wage. This time it was something the government has repeatedly said it was loathe to endorse – a sugar tax. In his response to the chancellor, an angry Jeremy Corbyn berated the Budget on almost every count. [...]
Budget 2016: The lifetime Isa could be a real shot in the arm for savers and investors – but must not be bogged down in baggage like our pensions system March 16, 2016 There is plenty to mull from today's Budget, but one announcement in particular stood out. The saver's rabbit in the hat was the lifetime Isa, a scheme designed to help those under 40 get into the savings habit providing a bonus of up to £1,000 for every £4,000 saved per year, aimed at house purchase [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne gives pub industry reason for cheer but smokers are out in the cold with minimum pricing on tobacco products March 16, 2016 George Osborne has confirmed the government will freeze duty on beer and cider, and whisky – but said a minimum price will be introduced for cigarettes. The chancellor was unequivocal about his support for the pub and spirits industries, saying: "Today I back our pubs again. I am freezing beer duty and cider duty too. "We [...]
Budget 2016: Compulsory maths for all students under the age of 18? George Osborne is considering it March 16, 2016 Bad news kids. George Osborne is looking into plans to make maths compulsory for all students up to the age of 18. The chancellor revealed the plans during the Budget today, saying it was part of his moves to help the future. Great for companies looking for willing graduates to fill STEM jobs, but there might be [...]
Budget 2016: Corporation tax to fall to 17 per cent by 2020 as George Osborne targets tax avoiders March 16, 2016 George Osborne has pledged to cut corporation tax to 17 per cent by April 2020 – which will be funded by chasing tax from multinationals – as part of plans to help the "millions of firms who pay their fair tax", he said today. The chancellor pledged to "get rid of loopholes for multinationals and tax for small [...]
