Our overly centralised tax system has exacerbated the business rates debacle February 22, 2017 Business rates may not be the most captivating subject for most City A.M. readers. But the impact of a delayed revaluation on our shops, pubs and cafes might well be. Changes affecting the £25bn a year tax that ultimately goes to pay for social care, schools, Tube trains and roads are due to come into [...]
Property groups warn £20bn of development finance at risk from government’s finance bill February 21, 2017 The property industry is calling on the government to change its finance bill, warning that measures to clampdown on multinational tax avoidance will also put £20bn of finance for UK developments at risk. The UK government is cracking down on tax avoidance in its annual finance bill by limiting companies claiming interest as a tax-deductable [...]
In full: The letter Sadiq Khan sent to chancellor Philip Hammond on business rates February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined forces with a host of business groups to write to chancellor Philip Hammond, warning him about how business rate changes will hit the capital. Business rates changes will come into effect on 1 April, and the new taxes are tied to rents across the UK. As rents have jumped [...]
Sadiq Khan “shocked” at business rate rises that threaten small firms February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is "shocked" by the business rate rises set to hit the capital, and has told chancellor Philip Hammond the tax changes could wipe out firms across the city. He has warned that the changes to commercial property taxes, which will come into effect on 1 April, could force the closure [...]
Great Western Railway launches golden ticket hunt for passengers to win return tickets for city breaks across the South West February 21, 2017 Here's some cheerful news for rail travellers (no, not an end to the Southern saga, sadly). Great Western Railway (GWR) has done some research, polling 2,000 people between 16 and 35, revealing many of the UK's young people (47 per cent) admitting they daydream of getting away and exploring a new place – at least once [...]
West End property hit despite surge in interest from Chinese buyers February 20, 2017 The value of commercial property transactions fell in January despite a surge in interest from Chinese buyers. According to numbers from real estate agents Savills, £841m worth of commercial properties were transacted in January this year, down from £895m in the same month last year, representing a fall of around six per cent. However, Chinese buyers are [...]
Reach stunning landscapes, luxury hotels and the national speed limit driving in the Scottish Highlands February 20, 2017 The soul-crushing experience of driving in London can be enough to grind down even the most dedicated fan of cars. No matter how many horses are hiding under the bonnet, they’re not much use if you’re crawling along at 4.8 miles per hour. That’s why Scotland’s North Coast 500 is such a tantalising prospect – [...]
Sutton United primed for their big moment against Premier League Arsenal February 20, 2017 Fifth-tier Sutton United and fame may be ships which pass in the night but, whatever happens against Arsenal on Monday, beacon-like memories have been made which will sparkle long after the limelight vanishes. The minnows have certainly made their mark during a giant-killing extravaganza which may or may not reach its conclusion in the fifth [...]
More tourists came to the UK in 2016 than ever before February 17, 2017 No, it's not your imagination – there were more tourists visiting the UK than ever before in 2016. Last year, a record-breaking 37.3m inbound visitors filled the streets of Britain, up three per cent from 2015 and even more than the predicted number of 36.7m, VisitBritain's latest figures show. The numbers point to strong growth from North America. [...]
Look out below! Northern Line extension gets underway with a huge crane putting tunnelling giants in place February 16, 2017 The time is here: these giant boring machines have been lowered 20m underground in Battersea ready to get the £1.2bn Northern Line extension underway. To lift these hefty machines – they're 650 tonnes each – Transport for London (TfL) has wheeled in a huge 750-tonne crane. The two machines, named Helen and Amy by local [...]