‘Silent crisis’ for retailers with record online returns – but can fees stop it? October 21, 2024 Online returns are set to top £27bn this year as the ‘silent crisis’ continues to squeeze retailers, with over a fifth of non-food purchases now returned, according to fresh data. With 10 per cent of shoppers accounting for a quarter of all returns, so-called ‘serial returners’ will make up £6.6bn of that figure – with [...]
Robinhood UK launches delayed margin lending investing October 21, 2024 Robinhood UK has launched a margin investing feature after it was previously delayed by regulators. Margin investing allows customers to borrow money from Robinhood, leveraging their existing holdings to purchase additional securities When Robinhood UK was launched in the UK in March, the company originally stated that it could charge 12 per cent interest on [...]
Lendinvest taps Barclays, HSBC and BNP for £300m financing October 21, 2024 Lendinvest has renewed a £300m financing deal with Barclays, HSBC and France’s BNP Paribas as the property fintech looks to return to profitability. The AIM-listed firm said the revolving warehouse financing agreement, shared equally between the three banks, had been extended for an additional three years on what it called improved terms. LendInvest said the [...]
Wetherspoons and Pizza Pilgrims bosses call for business rates relief ahead of budget October 21, 2024 Hundreds of UK hospitality groups and pubs have called for permanent action on business rates relief ahead of the Autumn Budget. In an open letter to Rachel Reeves, the hospitality bosses called for permanent action with the extension and lowering of business rates relief for the sector. It included 170 signatures from various high street [...]
Labour must pull back from the brink and support the UK’s founders October 21, 2024 With half term holidays upon us, Portugal is a safe bet for a bit of winter sun. The forecast for Lisbon this week is 24 degrees and sunny, whereas London is set to be much cooler with rain sweeping in by Friday. Things may get even gloomier when the Chancellor unveils her Budget next week. [...]
Desperate rich Brits seeking homes abroad in record numbers, say estate agents October 21, 2024 Super-rich Brits are looking at properties in popular expat destinations in record numbers, several leading estate agents have told City AM, as they prepare to flee “in desperation” from any punitive measures introduced at next week’s Budget. Enquiries to luxury property specialist Christies International Real Estate Dubai have trebled in recent months, one agent said, [...]
Meet the fund managers: Empowering growth in small UK companies October 21, 2024 In the final edition of this weekly series, investment reporter Elliot Gulliver-Needham sits down with a fund manager for a Q&A. This week, we’re hearing from Georgina Brittain, manager of the JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth & Income How does your fund stand out from others in the same market? What really sets us apart [...]
A Budget for tax simplification would make Britain a better place for business October 21, 2024 There’s more to competitiveness than headline rates, Rachel Reeves should use the Autumn Budget to make taxes simpler and rules easier to comply with, says Colin Graham Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been clear that the current state of government finances will only improve with economic growth. For this to work, there will need to be [...]
UK banks to post first results since interest rate cut October 20, 2024 Major UK banks are to reveal whether borrowers are benefiting from lower interest rates as they report third-quarter results over the next two weeks.
Reeves to hike tax on UK founders looking to sell October 19, 2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly plotting to hike taxes for entrepreneurs selling their businesses as part of her strategy to plug a £40bn fiscal “black hole”. In her upcoming Budget, Reeves is considering cutting a policy known as the business asset disposal relief, according to Bloomberg. The tax relief currently allows entrepreneurs to pay a [...]