Budget 2020: What does the Red Box mean for UK tech firms? March 11, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak today unveiled a raft of new fiscal measures as he vowed to deliver on the government’s promise of “levelling up” the UK. Sunak, who took over at No 11 just a month ago, put the coronavirus front and centre of his new policies as the number of cases continues to rise. But [...]
US stocks fall further into the red as investors lament lack of stimulus plan March 11, 2020 US stocks tumbled as investors grew concerned over the absence of immediate measures to counter the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. The Dow Jones is down 791.84 points to 24,226.32, weighed down by a seven per cent drop in Boeing shares. The company plans a full drawdown of an existing $13.8bn loan as early as [...]
2020 Budget key points: Coronavirus, spending spree and even some jokes March 11, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined a massive spending spree and a £30bn package to shelter the UK economy through the coronavirus crisis in his 2020 Budget today, as the budget watchdog said he would borrow £100bn over five years to do so. The Treasury boss, who had just four weeks to prepare for today’s Budget, even [...]
Budget 2020: Government to move 22,000 civil servants from London March 11, 2020 The government will move 22,000 civil servant jobs away from London in a major Whitehall shakeup. Chancellor Rishi Sunak made the announcement in his Budget speech today, confirming that 750 staff from the Treasury and departments of business, international trade and local government would move to an “economic campus” in the North. The announcement was [...]
Budget 2020: Government will raise living wage and lift floor for National Insurance March 11, 2020 The chancellor Rishi Sunak said today that the government will raise the national living wage to £10.50 by 2024 and will raise the minimum threshold for National Insurance. In his budget speech Sunak announced a goal of raising the national living wage to two thirds of median earnings by 2024 – which would be equivalent [...]
Budget 2020: Government announces £27.4bn roads revamp March 11, 2020 On the back of new chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of £27.4bn in investment for the UK’s roads in today’s budget, the Department of Transport has published its strategy for revamping the UK’s motorways and “A” roads. The funding will go towards the both the enhancement and repair of existing roads as well as completing a [...]
Budget 2020: Rishi Sunak gives economy £30bn boost amid coronavirus outbreak March 11, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £30bn stimulus package to support the UK economy through the coronavirus outbreak in the biggest spending spree in almost 30 years. Sunak – who was made chancellor last month – said it was one of the most comprehensive responses to the outbreak by any government. The plan earmarks £12bn [...]
Budget 2020: Government confirms £5bn broadband boost March 11, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak today confirmed that the government will pump £5bn into its plan to roll out full-fibre broadband across the UK. The broadband pledge formed a major part of the Conservatives’ election manifesto as part of its promise to “level up” the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson last year laid out an ambitious pledge [...]
Budget 2020: Chancellor introduces digital services tax March 11, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak today confirmed the introduction of a digital services tax as the government looks to ensure tech giants pay their fair share of tax. The new tax, which will come into force from 1 April, will charge two per cent levy on sales for certain digital businesses. The move is set to raise [...]
Budget 2020: Retail and leisure sector reacts to ‘disappointing’ business rates reform March 11, 2020 Business rates have been the key issue for retailers in the run up to today’s budget, made even more crucial by the outbreak of coronavirus. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced measures to support more small leisure, hospitality and retail businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000. Business rates for those firms will be scrapped [...]