Javid calls for two percentage point hike to national insurance to fund social care September 3, 2021 Health secretary Sajid Javid has called for a higher hike to national insurance to fund clearing the swelling backlog of NHS work and social care, according to reports. Javid has reportedly pushed for a two percentage point increase to NICs in a bid to raise funds for England’s ailing social care system. Javid’s proposed level [...]
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 [...]
Energy Bill: Government commits to renewable ramp up but lacks plan for cost-of-living crisis May 10, 2022 Industry commentators have responded to the inclusion of the Energy Security Bill in the Queen's Speech, and the lack of support for households.
Government to breach manifesto pledge and scrap triple lock August 18, 2021 The Conservative government is set to break a key manifesto pledge next year to avoid placing further pressure on the strained public finances. The state pension will rise 2.5 per cent next year, breaching the Tories’ promise to retain the triple lock increase. Under the policy, the state pension rises by whichever is highest out [...]
Will the UK lead the way in embracing crypto assets and blockchain? September 17, 2022 Sean Kiernan discusses the challenge of finding a balance between regulation and opportunity for the UK and crypto.
As government debt jumps to fund defence spending, our economy will pay the price March 9, 2022 Sanctions will clearly hit the Russian economy very hard. But economic prospects for the West are not exactly rosy. Twice in the 1970s and again in the early 90s, there were rapid spikes in oil prices; each instance was followed by economic recessions. The deep recession following 2008 was, of course, due to financial causes [...]
Budget 2021: UK to return to offering 0.7 per cent of national income in foreign aid October 27, 2021 True to his promise, chancellor Rishi Sunak has said the UK will return to offering 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) in overseas aid over the next four years. The spending will grow from the 0.5 per cent rate it is now before the parliament’s end in 2024, earlier than the office for [...]
Cinderella may be sold to an American investor August 16, 2021 Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he will have to sell his musical Cinderella to an American investor if it is not able to open. Last month the world premiere of the new show was postponed until 25 August because of Covid-19 isolation protocols. According to media reports, Lord Lloyd-Webber said the production “can’t go on [...]
Sunak reveals new climate impact disclosure rules July 1, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today announced plans to introduce new rules to force firms to reveal their impact on the climate. Speaking at Mansion House, Sunak announced that businesses across the economy will have to report on the impact they are having on the climate and environment. “We’re launching new requirements for businesses and financial [...]
Two thirds of employers considering pay cuts for remote workers August 16, 2021 As many as two thirds of companies are considering slashing the pay of staff who are hesitant to return to the office. Up to 68 per cent of businesses are debating whether or not to introduce pay cuts for staff who choose to work from home, according to a survey by HR software provider CIPHR. [...]