Sharp increase in retail sales amid ‘subdued’ outlook due to inflation – but is there a ‘chink of light’ with Easter holidays? March 24, 2023 British retail sales grew sharply last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, but price increases continue to deliver a “subdued” longer-term outlook. Sales volumes are thought to have increased by 1.2 per cent in February after a rise of 0.9 per cent in January, suggesting the industry is recovering from the pandemic well. Industry figures are [...]
Ten years of tightened control over London’s funding has stunted our growth March 17, 2023 For years we’ve been promised more devolution, but none of that has translated into more control over how we use money in London and it’s curtailing our growth, writes Paul Honeyben
Budget: 350,000 small firms at risk of ‘shrinking, restructure or closure’ unless energy bill help extended – FSB March 13, 2023 Companies on fixed-term energy contracts are at risk of being exposed to ultra-high prices, warned a leading industry group.
Labour backs 25 per cent corporation tax rate amid calls to scrap rise ahead of budget March 6, 2023 Labour will back the government’s bod to keep the planned corporation tax rise to 25 per cent amid “siren calls” to scrap the move ahead of the budget. It comes as the shadow chancellor is set to say Britain must be in “lockstep” with the G7 and work to “incentivise investment”, at the announcement of [...]
Isa explainer: should you go for cash or stocks & shares? February 23, 2023 Savers have just over four weeks to make the most of this year’s tax-free savings allowance. We look at the different types of ISA available and how to find the one that’s right for you. Individual Savings Accounts, or Isas, were introduced by the government to encourage more people to save and allow savers to [...]
Last orders? Pubs ‘won’t stay afloat’ without energy bill help in Spring Budget, hospitality bosses warn February 22, 2023 The hospitality sector has urged that many businesses “wont stay afloat” if the government does not look to provide extra support with soaring energy bills in its upcoming spring budget. “The steep increase in utility costs is having a significant impact on our business, it’s now one of the largest cost to manage,” Simon King [...]
UK lost out on £320m AstraZeneca factory: Hunt ‘disappointed’ after drug giant choses low-tax Ireland instead February 10, 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he was disappointed the UK “lost out this time” on a £320 million new AstraZeneca factory after the drugs giant chose the low-tax Republic of Ireland instead. The group had wanted to build a plant near its existing sites close to Macclesfield, Cheshire, but the “discouraging” tax rate had prompted a [...]
How crisis has become the norm for the UK’s small businesses, Tide chief February 9, 2023 Economic crises have rocked the UK’s smaller firms over the past three years – now they’re becoming par for the course, boss of small business banking firm Tide tells City.A.M.’s Charlie Conchie Small business banking has played a strangely starring role in the national drama of the past three years. When Covid first began to [...]
BP scales back climate ambitions as outcry over £23bn earnings ignites call for tougher windfall tax February 7, 2023 BP has scaled back its climate ambitions, easing plans to slash the amount of oil and gas it produces to meet global demand.
Pubs: As record number predicted to go bust in 2023 hospitality guru urges gov to lift sector from ‘the abyss’ January 6, 2023 A record number of pubs, clubs and restaurants could go to the wall this year without more support, warned a leading industry voice.