Rishi Sunak unveiled a raft of measures aimed at helping small businesses today. The Chancellor targeted high street firms with a business rate holiday extension until June, followed by a two-thirds reduced rate for the rest of the financial year. He also confirmed a freeze of VAT at 5 per cent for hospitality firms until … Read more
Rishi Sunak today unveiled the eight sites for the first freeports to be created in England. The Chancellor used the Budget to confirm the locations of the ‘special economic zones’ that were first announced in the Tories’ 2019 election manifesto. East Midlands Airport, the Suffolk ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, the Humber region in Yorkshire, … Read more
Fears of lockdown THREE as Rishi extends furlough AGAIN: Workers will carry on getting 80% of wages until end of September – with businesses expected to contribute from July – and self-employed grants will continue Chancellor Rishi Sunak today confirmed that furlough will continue to October Scheme will not change for employees but employers will … Read more
Cheers to that! Rishi Sunak freezes booze tax for a second year in a row in a boost for Covid-weary Brits and also keeps fuel duty frozen for the tenth successive year Increases in duty on beer, cider, wine and spirits axed for second year in a row Tax on a tankful of fuel will … Read more
London markets cheer on Chancellor’s budget: FTSE rises 0.8% or 53 to 6,667 points as Rishi Sunak unveils more big spending to boost Covid-hit economy FTSE 100 index of UK’s leading companies up 0.8% or 53 points at 6,667 today However it had been up further in early trading in London at 6,703 this morning … Read more
Museums, theatres and concert halls handed £410million Budget bailout lifeline to help them stay afloat until Covid restrictions are lifted and they can open their doors once more Theatres, museums and live music venues handed £410million lifeline Rishi Sunak said arts are a ‘significant driver of economic activity’ Most arts and cultural events expected to … Read more
Rishi’s £150million pub lifeline: Chancellor unveils scheme to help locals to BUY their struggling boozer and other ‘community assets’ like sports clubs The £150m Community Ownership Fund would provide grants up to £250,000 Will also allow bids for up to £1million in ‘exceptional circumstances’ This would allow larger venues like sports grounds and clubs to … Read more
Suella Braverman, 40, who is expecting her second child at the beginning of next month, is the inspiration behind the Ministerial and Other Maternity Allowances Bill, which seeks to update the treatment of pregnant Cabinet ministers The government has caved into a Lords revolt over a new law allowing ministers to go on paid maternity … Read more
Rishi Sunak ‘is set to hike corporation tax and hand self-employed £2,500 a month in Covid grants’ at Budget as furlough is extended Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver his latest Budget on March 3 next week The Chancellor is said to be considering hiking corporation tax to 25 per cent Meanwhile, £7,500 grants for self-employed … Read more
The Government has refused to reveal the number of Covid cases found through its controversial quarantine hotels scheme. Since February 15, travelers returning home to the UK after visiting one of 33 red-listed countries have been forced to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days at a cost of £1,750 each. The red-list areas are … Read more