City of London calls on Rishi Sunak to support businesses in the Covid-emptied Square Mile December 17, 2021 The City of London’s local authority has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide “much needed” financial support for shops, restaurants and pubs in the Square Mile after the government reintroduced its ‘work from home’ advice. In a letter to the Chancellor, The City of London Corporation policy chair Catherine McGuiness warned that small businesses [...]
Lack of support is untenable, and the Chancellor must know it December 17, 2021 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has played a bad hand very well since taking the job in February 2020, just as news of a strange and mysterious virus was beginning to bother the front pages. It has helped that he has been playing with the equivalent of house money – borrowing huge sums in what became, [...]
Government should further consult finance industry on UK’s net zero path, says investment body December 16, 2021 The government should consult on a ‘transitional taxonomy’ to ensure the finance industry understands the country’s net zero pathway, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has urged. In a government policy briefing today, the group will also caution policymakers to avoid a mandatory approach to carbon targets and instead encourage a broader range [...]
Decade-high inflation print dials up pressure on Bank of England to hike rates December 15, 2021 Pressure on the Bank of England to hike rates is dialling up amid swelling energy bills causing inflation to skyrocket to its highest level in over a decade. The cost of living climbed to 5.1 per cent last month, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today, smashing analysts’ expectations and [...]
Firms could be forced to get rid of staff without clarity on further financial support December 14, 2021 Retailers and hospitality bosses have reiterated calls for fresh financial support measures as trade is hit by Omicron restrictions ahead of Christmas. Businesses said consumer confidence has been hit by the latest headlines, with shops reporting reduced footfall and pubs seeing cancellations of bookings. Londoners are bunkering down in a bid to ensure they can [...]
Devolved nations add to mounting calls for fresh business support from Westminster amid Omicron surge December 14, 2021 Scotland’s first minister has added to calls mounting on Westminster for a fresh tranche of financial support for businesses. Nicola Sturgeon said a lack of new support from the UK government meant “there is no money to compensate” businesses in the wake of further Covid restrictions. This was “not acceptable,” Sturgeon said, echoing calls from [...]
Businesses set to get economic support if more restrictions are announced December 14, 2021 The government is set to provide fresh economic support to businesses if more Covid restrictions are imposed by Boris Johnson. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is looking at potential funding options for businesses if they are forced to close due to the Omicron variant, including bringing back the furlough scheme. Businesses have been provided no extra support [...]
UK airlines set to ask Treasury for extension to Covid loans December 12, 2021 Bosses from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet are set to ask the Treasury to extend their Covid-19 loans and provide further economic help in light of new restrictions imposed by Boris Johnson last week. Chief executives from the three airlines will meet with civil servants at the Treasury today to discuss the proposals, after [...]
Ongoing Covid booster drive to eat into health and social care levy funds December 12, 2021 An ongoing booster vaccination programme to deal with recurring coronavirus pressures will eat into funds yielded from the new health and social care levy earmarked for the NHS. The government could be forced to use some of the money produced from the 1.25 per cent levy on a permanent booster campaign, with the total bill [...]
Rishi Sunak thrown into parties scandal after Treasury held lockdown gathering December 11, 2021 The Chancellor has come under scrutiny after details have emerged of his an office drinks party held by his department during lockdown last year. Around two dozen civil servants attended the Treasury party, held in celebration of Rishi Sunak’s spending review, according to The Times, which first reported the news. The event took place on [...]