Hospitality sector urges Sunak to extend business rates and VAT support January 20, 2021 Hospitality bosses have again issued an urgent call for the government to extend business rates and VAT support in the March budget as the sector remains closed due to coronavirus restrictions. In a letter to the chancellor, industry body UK Hospitality asked him to extend the VAT cut to five per cent for a further [...]
A 21st century Big Bang 2.0 won’t look like the eighties – but it’s worth pursuing January 20, 2021 UK financial services can unlock a new phase of growth by taking a lead on sustainability, digital innovation and governance, and redefining ‘Big Bang’ to be far more than simply deregulating markets. Chancellor Rishi Sunak spoke of the City’s “perfect platform” for a post-Brexit “Big Bang” last week but remained equivocal on how the new [...]
British musicians ‘shamelessly failed’ over post-Brexit touring January 20, 2021 Musicians have been “shamelessly failed” by the government over the failure to secure visa-free touring after Brexit, some of the UK’s biggest music stars have said. Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher are among more than 100 signatories on a damning open letter that warns many performers could be “tipped over the edge” [...]
Sadiq Khan backs CBI’s calls for furlough extension January 19, 2021 The mayor of London has backed calls from the CBI for further financial support for businesses, saying current deadlines create a "financial cliff edge"
‘We want to be the regional magic circle firm,’ says Knights CEO January 19, 2021 Regional law firm Knights saw revenues jumped by some £14m in the second half of 2020, up to £46.2m from £31.9m in H1, and the positive year has only fuelled the firm’s ambitions. The promising results were in part delivered in part by the successful remote acquisitions of Shulmans, ASB and Fraser Brown, and the [...]
Rishi Sunak mulls over a UK corporation tax hike in March Budget January 18, 2021 Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering raising corporation tax in the upcoming March Budget in a bid to pay off some of the UK government’s Covid spending bill. The chancellor is also now expected to increase business support in the 3 March Budget by extending the furlough scheme and Covid business loan programme. Senior government sources [...]
UK announces inquiry into alleged corruption in British Virgin Islands January 18, 2021 The UK has launched an inquiry into claims of widespread corruption and misuse of taxpayer money on the British Virgin Islands. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced today that British Virgin Islands governor Augustus Jaspert had called for a federal investigation into a range of claims, including “political interference and coercion in relation to appointments in [...]
Rail industry adds voice to calls for Eurostar support January 18, 2021 The rail industry has thrown its weight behind calls for the government to prop up the struggling Eurostar rail link between the UK and the continent. Yesterday a group of London-based businesses wrote to ministers demanding swift action to safeguard the Eurostar’s future. Now the Rail Industry Association (RIA), a trade body which represents the [...]
Johnson to discuss ‘Singapore of Europe’ plans with business leaders January 18, 2021 Boris Johnson will hold talks with business leaders today about cutting red tape, as ministers draw up plans to turn Britain into the “Singapore of Europe” now it has left the EU. The Prime Minister will speak to 30 senior leaders about “regulatory freedom” and reforming EU rules, The Times reported today. Leaders from BP, [...]
UK and the EU have much to gain from closer collaboration on financial services January 18, 2021 Now that the UK and European Union have started a new chapter, the next few months will be critical when it comes to writing the page on future collaboration in financial and professional services. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement finally brokered by UK and EU negotiators before Christmas provided businesses and households both at home and [...]