Report: UK firms swimming in £70bn of unsustainable debt September 15, 2020 UK firms have racked up £70bn-worth of unsustainable debt, a new report reveals, with more than £20bn of that coming from government-backed Covid schemes. This figure is down on the previous estimation of £102bn, partially due to government stimulus packages introduced this year, data from TheCityUK revealed. Government-guaranteed lending schemes such as the coronavirus business interruption loan [...]
Rishi Sunak eyes fresh tax breaks for UK businesses September 13, 2020 Rishi Sunak is mulling over multi-billion pound tax cuts for UK businesses that invest in property, plant and equipment in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The plans involve giving companies tax breaks on capital investments, such as machinery, in an attempt to stimulate economic activity and boost the government’s “levelling up” agenda. Companies receive [...]
Sajid Javid backs plan to end furlough scheme in October September 11, 2020 Former chancellor Sajid Javid today offered his support for ending the furlough scheme next month, claiming any extension would be “unfair” on taxpayers. Speaking at the Centre for Policy Studies think tank talk about the post-pandemic economic recovery ahead, Javid said he agreed with chancellor Rishi Sunak that the furlough scheme must end. “Even if [...]
Pizza Hut: Which UK restaurants are shutting down? September 11, 2020 Pizza Hut today revealed three London restaurants will permanently close in a crushing blow for food-lovers across the capital. Diners will no longer be able to go to the Croydon North End, Leyton Mill and Stratford restaurants. The fast food chain announced earlier this week that a total of 29 restaurants will permanently close, with [...]
You’re required: Alan Sugar urges public to get back to work September 11, 2020 Business tycoon Lord Alan Sugar today urged Brits to “put on a suit, put on a dress and get back to work” amid rising calls to kickstart the faltering economy. Speaking to LBC radio, Sugar said people’s resilience meant “they get back, they recover, they get over it”. “If you do the right things which [...]
UK economy grows 6.6 per cent in July as recovery continues September 11, 2020 The UK economy grew 6.6 per cent in July as it bounced back from the coronavirus lockdown of the spring, setting the stage for rapid GDP growth in the third quarter, official figures showed. The growth was slower than the 8.7 per cent expansion seen in June, however, and was from a low base after [...]
Q&A: Top tips to consolidate your pensions in a post-Covid world September 11, 2020 Zoe Bailey, a director at financial planning specialist Tilney, goes through the pros and cons of consolidating your pensions Keeping track of multiple pension pots can be challenging – especially in times of economic uncertainty. As a result, simplifying your retirement funds and transferring them into one place can be an attractive proposition. However, there [...]
MPs attack chancellor’s plan to wind down furlough scheme September 11, 2020 The powerful Treasury Committee of MPs has criticised the chancellor’s new job retention bonus scheme as inefficient, and called for him to “carefully consider” more targeted support for parts of the economy when the furlough scheme ends. In a wide-ranging report, the Committee also said the Treasury must quickly come up with a scheme to [...]
Exclusive: London consumer spending soars during cheap meal scheme September 10, 2020 The Eat Out to Help Out scheme gave London restaurants a huge boost in August, with spending jumping to just 10 per cent below its 2019 level, according to the latest data provided exclusively to City A.M. Food and beverage spending in London in July was a whopping 39.1 per cent lower than a year [...]
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary slams ‘bizarre’ quarantine rules September 9, 2020 Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has slammed the government for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, describing its quarantine restrictions as “bizarre” and lacking in “common sense”. Speaking to Sky News this morning, O’Leary said that ministers were “making this stuff as they go along to cover up the fact that test and tracing is effectively [...]