Finally ending Covid-19 restrictions in the UK will be a new dawn for business July 12, 2021 Last week the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s long-awaited plans to ease social and economic COVID-19 restrictions in England. July 19 is the expected date, with a final decision to be taken today. If the PM goes ahead, this would be a new dawn and the first step towards returning the Square Mile to the [...]
UK business confidence surges to record high July 12, 2021 The approaching end of Covid restrictions on 19 July has propelled business confidence to its highest level on record, shows new research published today. Accountancy firm BDO’s latest optimism index jumped to 112.45 in June, up from 109.71, to its highest level since the survey started in 2005. The increase was the fifth consecutive month [...]
British businesses sell-off assets to offset Covid debt stress July 12, 2021 British businesses are sharpening their focus on longer term plans by disposing of non-essential assets at a rapid pace to offset debt taken on during the Covid pandemic, according to new figures published today. The value of carve-out deals by UK firms surged 182 per cent over the last year to £30.8bn, up from £10.9bn [...]
UK household wealth swells £900bn during Covid pandemic July 12, 2021 The stock of household wealth in the UK swelled by £900bn to £16.5 trillion over the course of the Covid pandemic, according to new figures published today. Research carried out by the Resolution Foundation shows middle-wealth families have experienced the biggest relative wealth rises of each household group, up 9 per cent, or £7,800, taking their average [...]
How to build an ethical business July 12, 2021 The demand for businesses to be ethical is rising. But how can companies ensure that sustainability does not come at the cost of financial stability? Christian Koch investigates. This article was written before the coronavirus pandemic had escalated in the UK, Europe and the USA and first appears in the April 2020 issue of CA magazine. [...]
UK finance chiefs gear up for post-pandemic spending boom July 12, 2021 Spending by UK businesses is set to surge in the coming months as finance directors prepare for a sharp increase in hiring and investment, according to a new survey. Almost three-quarters of chief financial officers expect rises in capital expenditure, while 76 per cent forecast increases in hiring in the year ahead. Expectations for both [...]
Asos enters deal with Nordstrom to bolster Topshop’s US presence July 12, 2021 Asos has teamed up with the US’ Nordstrom, which will see Topshop clothes sold in brick and mortar stores for the first time since the brand fell into admission last year. The joint-venture will see Nordstrom snag a minority stake in Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands, which joined Asos’ pre-existing online platform following [...]
Boris Johnson set to confirm 19 July as freedom day July 11, 2021 Boris Johnson has urged people to “remain vigilant and exercise caution” as he prepares to confirm that almost all Covid restrictions will be removed on 19 July. Johnson also warned people in a statement tonight that “cases will rise as we unlock” in just over one week’s time. Johnson announced last week that the next [...]
UK business confidence soars to highest level since 2005 July 11, 2021 UK business confidence has surged to its highest level since 2005 as companies look ahead to the final lifting of lockdown restrictions later this month. The latest business trends report from BDO showed the optimism index moved 2.74 points from 109.71 in May to 112.45 in June, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth and [...]
Yellen: Global corporate tax reform unlikely until 2022 July 11, 2021 US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has warned that recently-agreed reforms to corporate tax rules that will ensure major companies pay tax in more countries may not be ready until next year. Speaking after a G20 finance leaders meeting in Venice today, Yellen said the OECD’s re-allocation of taxing rights was on a “slightly slower track” [...]