Government implements alcohol tax reliefs but critics say it’s not enough January 31, 2025 The government has implemented two tax reliefs aimed at growing the UK’s alcohol sector, although critics have said they won’t be enough to offset other cost hikes this year. Labour will implement a draught relief increase, cutting 1p duty off draft pints, as well as small producer relief, which the government said will help small [...]
Five policies the Chancellor hopes will fire up the economy January 31, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to going "further and faster" on kickstarting economic growth.
Pinewood Studios: Home of James Bond reveals expansion plans January 30, 2025 The group behind Pinewood Studios has revealed plans to build more film stages at the iconic home of the James Bond franchise. Pinewood Group has launched a public consultation into its proposals to expand Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. In a statement, the group said the plans would involve the expansion and investment would incorporate additional [...]
7 incredible places for food and wine in South Africa January 30, 2025 A culinary cruise around South Africa, with our restaurant columnist Martin Williams As a restaurateur, January is the perfect time of year to take a holiday; exhausted from the efforts put in to maximise Christmas business. As an entrepreneur with M, and whilst leading Gaucho, it’s a period when, after setting objectives for the months [...]
Rachel Reeves says tax-hiking Budget was needed to stop economic calamity January 30, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended her tax-hiking Budget today, saying that without the changes to national insurance, the government would have lost control of the economy. Speaking on Time Radio this morning, Reeves said she recognises there are “consequences to increasing National Insurance,” but the “consequences of irresponsibility would have been far greater” had the [...]
Saga hikes profit expectations following Ageas deal January 30, 2025 Saga, the financial services and travel provider for over-50s, has said it expects to report an underlying profit before tax above previous guidance. In a trading update, the firm said it expected underlying profit before tax for the last six months of 2024 to come in marginally higher than the year before. Saga’s travel arm [...]
BT appoints chief for new UK-centric business arm as revenue dips January 30, 2025 BT has appointed a CEO for its new UK-centric BT Business, at the same time as reporting a dip in revenue due to tough trading outside of the UK. BT’s share price fell just over four per cent in early trades. Jon James will be appointed a CEO of BT Business in March, and it [...]
The Debate: Should businesses have DEI quotas? January 30, 2025 Trump's America is turning the tide on woke, but are DEI quotas good for business? Our writers hash it out in this week’s Debate.
Savers get three-month warning over £50bn in maturing ISAs January 30, 2025 Savers are being urged to act as a huge £53.9bn in cash ISAs will mature by April, according to Paragon Bank. Paragon said that £36.4bn of that was held in one-year, fixed-term deals, which are almost certainly paying better rates than savers can get today. Derek Sprawling, savings managing director at Paragon Bank, said: “Over [...]
Fed holds interest rates despite pressure from Donald Trump January 29, 2025 The pause comes after three consecutive interest rate cuts and means the federal funds rate stands in a range of 4.25-4.5 per cent.