DEBATE: Are the IMF’s proposals for a one-off wealth tax a good idea? April 15, 2021 Danielle Boxall, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, says No After the deepest recession in 300 years, the last thing ministers should be considering is new taxes. Covid has already placed a huge burden on families and businesses alike, the IMF’s suggestion of new taxes on individuals and companies could choke off the recovery [...]
Brits head back to the high street as roadmap out of lockdown boosts shopper numbers March 1, 2021 The number of shoppers on the high street jumped last week, as Brits learned the details of the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown.
What counts as a substantial meal under new Tier 2 rules for pubs? December 2, 2020 Scotch eggs were first mentioned in the House of Commons in 1979 by Labour MP George Cunningham, who said the proposed introduction of pub meals was little more than a decoy to sell more booze. Pub food would “likely result in the sale of liquor — and that is what we are talking about rather [...]
Breaking: Booze banned in Welsh pubs from Friday November 30, 2020 Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales will be forced to close on Friday as the country tightens its national restrictions ahead of Christmas, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced. From 6pm on Friday, hospitality venues will be banned from serving alcohol at any point of day or night. Food will only be available via [...]
‘No plans’ to extend VAT cut for hospitality, Treasury minister says January 26, 2021 The government has “no plans” to extend the VAT cut for hospitality, tourism and leisure firms, despite industry calls for the tax break to continue while the sector is under coronavirus restrictions. Rishi Sunak last year reduced VAT for hospitality firms from 20 per cent to five per cent as part of emergency coronavirus measures. [...]
Troubled hospitality operators face rent debt pile of £5bn and business rates payments June 15, 2021 Troubled hospitality operators are facing billions of pounds in rent debt and business rates payments after the Government decided not to extend financial support measures. Trade groups have called for an extension to the rent moratorium, business rates holiday and furlough support after the Prime Minister said that the further easing of lockdown restrictions will [...]
Reading and Leeds festivals to go ahead this summer in boost for return to normality February 24, 2021 Reading and Leeds music festivals will go ahead this summer, organisers have confirmed, in a major boost for hopes of a return to normality in the second half of the year. Stormzy, Post Malone and Liam Gallagher have been confirmed as the headline acts of the twin events, which will run on the August Bank [...]
Britain to trial vaccine passports to reopen sports venues March 19, 2021 Britain will pilot vaccine passports to encourage the return of fans to sports events, the culture minister has announced, as he claimed the future of the sporting industry depended on crowds filling seats this summer. In an interview with The Sun, Oliver Dowden said: “We are working to make sure we can get as many [...]
WHO: World faces ‘critical point’ in the Covid pandemic April 12, 2021 The globe faces a “critical point” in the pandemic and needs an urgent “reality check” about how to combat spirally Covid infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Dr Maria van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s technical response, said that the “trajectory of this pandemic is growing” [...]
Roadmap: Hospitality industry faces financial ruin as sector remains shut until April February 22, 2021 The hospitality industry has reacted with fury as the Prime Minister plans to allow pubs and restaurants to serve outdoors only and not until 12 April. Currently, only 40 per cent of businesses in hospitality have outdoor spaces, meaning most will still face restrictions after April. In response to today’s announcement, UK Hospitality Chief Kate [...]