Four tests to prove if Labour really is The Party of Business July 3, 2024 Like almost everyone I know, I was pitched to the other day by Rachel Reeves. She can talk the talk, but is Labour the party of business?
Luxury retailers to push for tax cut acceleration ahead of coronation September 25, 2022 Luxury retailers in the West End are eager to elevate the shopping destination among its global rivals by appealing for tax changes to be accelerated. After the Chancellor suggested VAT-free shopping could boost the retail heartland from 2024 last week, the Association of International Retail said could be introduced in the next six months. The [...]
Let’s be honest, Tesco making big profits is a good thing April 18, 2024 Instead of criticising Tesco for having a bumper year, we should praise it for providing cheap food and jobs for millions, says Matthew Lesh There’s an unorthodox tourist sight that I always tick off on trips abroad. It’s not that I don’t check out the historic squares, the museums and galleries or even the nightlife. [...]
Black Friday: London footfall up 13 per cent as cash-strapped Brits sniff out deals November 24, 2023 Central London saw a 13 per cent week-on-week jump in footfall this morning as shoppers flocked to the West-End to sniff out some Black Friday deals, in a much needed boost for retailers. The sales bonanza is an important day in the retail calendar as it kicks starts the start of the festive shopping season. [...]
Central London Alliance calls for government to cut VAT for hospitality, tourism and leisure January 23, 2024 Central London Alliance (CLA) calls on the Government to address the UK’s lack of competitiveness on the global tourism market, beginning with a cut to VAT for the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that visits to the UK increased 112 per cent year-on-year, generating £30 billion [...]
Legoland owner Merlin surges back to profit thanks to tourism and staycations June 30, 2023 The return of tourists and families enjoying staycations has propelled sales and earnings for the owner of Legoland and Thorpe Park. Merlin Entertainments, which is one of the world’s biggest operators with more than 140 attractions, theme parks and resorts, said it had millions more visitors last year. The multinational group saw its revenues surge [...]
Ryanair’s profits skyrocket to eye-watering £184.9m as low-cost airline cashes in on strong dollar and Asian tourists January 30, 2023 Ryanair has posted its largest third quarter profit after tax for the winter quarter as a boom in demand helped it soar past pre-Covid levels. In the three months ending 31 December, the Dublin-based carrier reported a pre-tax profit of €211m (£184.9m), up from last year’s loss of €96m. This was also up on the [...]
Targeting non-doms was a cheap hit the Chancellor will regret March 13, 2024 The ultra-wealthy may be an easy target, but the government is sending a signal that playing politics matters more to them than securing investment, says James Price he temptation to play politics is often an irresistible one around fiscal events, and with the twin straitjackets of the Office for Budget Responsibility and a looming election, [...]
Mortgages are up but don’t get too excited April 19, 2024 What should we read into recent signs of a gradual recovery in the mortgage market? The answer is, it depends. Taking into account distortions caused by the work-from-home exodus from London and the cost of living and it looks like we may simply be returning to precedented times, says Steven MacDonald When it was announced [...]
Businesses call on Chancellor to boost regional growth by investing in tourism November 14, 2022 Businesses have called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to boost regional growth by investing in travel and tourism. Advocacy group BusinessLDN has called for the reintroduction of VAT-free shopping for international arrivals, as well as ramping up Border Force personnel to speed up queues at airports and ease visa processes for low-risk visitors such as children. [...]