Almost all of southern England plunged into Tier 4 on Boxing Day December 23, 2020 The vast majority of the South of England will be plunged into Tier 4 on Boxing Day, leaving half of England facing the strictest coronavirus restrictions. On Sunday morning London and southeast England were put into new ‘Tier 4’ restrictions. The restrictions are akin to that of lockdown, with all non-essential businesses closed and residents [...]
Individuals rush to sell assets as capital gains tax bill rockets to £10.1bn December 23, 2020 The UK’s capital gains tax (CGT) bill has hit £10.1bn, up more than fourfold from £2.5bn a decade earlier, prompting people to sell their assets. Despite the increase of nearly £7.5bn in a decade, more CGT could be demanded from the taxpayer. The Office for Tax Simplification recently recommended the Chancellor increase CGT rates in [...]
Advertising watchdog bans Klarna Instagram ads December 23, 2020 The advertising watchdog has banned several Klarna shopping adverts that appeared on Instagram and encouraged consumers to use Klarna to shop and ‘boost their mood’. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned Klarna’s Instagram campaign from appearing again, and warned the influencers involved to not “irresponsibly” encourage the use of Klarna’s deferred payment service. The [...]
Octopus Energy expands into Japan with Tokyo Gas partnership December 23, 2020 Octopus Energy has partnered with Tokyo gas in a move that establishes Octopus’s presence in Asia. The agreement will see Octopus Energy and Tokyo Gas launch the Octopus Energy brand in Japan, operated by TG Octopus Energy. Tokyo will act as a launchpad for Octopus’s expansion across the region. Octopus Energy in Japan will provide [...]
Musk claims Apple once snubbed talks to buy Tesla December 23, 2020 Elon Musk has claimed Apple chief executive Tim Cook snubbed talks to buy Tesla back in 2017, when it was going through its “darkest days”. The tech billionaire said he reached out to the iPhone manufacturer in 2017, but CEO Tim Cook refused to take the meeting. Yesterday Musk tweeted: “During the darkest days of [...]
Property developer British Land agrees £401m sale of West End offices December 23, 2020 British Land has agreed the £401m sale of a 75 per cent stake in three buildings in the West End to Allianz Real Estate. The portfolio includes three buildings; 10 Portman Square, Marble Arch House and York House, all of which are in Marylebone. As a result of the sale British Land will form a [...]
Will take ‘days’ to clear Dover chaos, says minister December 23, 2020 It will “take a few days” to clear the lorry queues at Dover, according to housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. Last night transport Secretary Grant Shapps said an “agreement” had been reached with the French Government on travel across the Channel after around 3,000 lorries have backed up at Dover in the last 48 hours. The [...]
Christmas plans could change last minute in light of mutant virus, says minister December 23, 2020 Christmas plans across the country could be changed last minute if the government feels it is appropriate to do so, with less than 48 hours to go before Christmas Day. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick this morning said restrictions could change ahead of Christmas in light of the spread of a new, more infectious variant of [...]
Coronavirus drives down London vacancies a third in 2020 December 23, 2020 The number of jobs up for grabs in the capital has declined by nearly a third (32%) this year as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. In the UK on average hiring has dropped by more than a fifth (22%) this year, with the hospitality sector hit particularly hard. In hospitality the number of vacancies [...]
UK headed for fresh produce shortages if Dover jam is not eased tomorrow December 22, 2020 The UK is heading for fresh produce shortages as soon as Christmas ends if the chaos at Dover is not eased in the next 24 hours. The UK has faced nearly 48 hours of chaos at the port of Dover after France shut its border with the UK, including to those carrying freight to the [...]
