Economy

Covid-19: Government to pay 80% of salary to staff unable to work

Chancellor Sunak Rishi has said the government will pay 80% of wages for employees who aren’t able to work due to the coronavirus, up to £2,500 a month according to the BBC. The “unprecedented measure” comes as the government has unveiled more plans to protect jobs and businesses amid the…

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Bira welcomes temporary abolition of business rates in Scotland

The Scottish Government’s move to temporarily abolish business rates in a bid to minimise the impact of coronavirus has been welcomed by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP has unveiled a new economic package to the Holyrood Parliament in response to coronavirus, including 12 months…

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Government to introduce 2% digital services tax

The UK Government has confirmed plans to introduce a new 2% tax on the revenues of online marketplaces which “derive value from UK users”, starting 1 April 2020. The new tax also applies to search engines and social media services, and these businesses will be liable to the tax when…

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ROUNDUP: Business rates holiday announced by chancellor Sunak

In his maiden budget, the new chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a £30bn fiscal stimulus package to help combat the impact of coronavirus on the British economy including a one-year total suspension of business rates for small retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. Headline measures include: A £12bn plan to provide…

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Outstanding business rates challenges increase by 35%

The number of businesses waiting for challenges over soaring business rates to be resolved has jumped by more than a third in just three months, according to new figures issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The figures revealed the number of outstanding challenges has increased by 35% fuelling concerns…

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BRC ‘disappointed’ with business rates relief in Queen’s speech

The British Retail Consortium has responded to the Queen’s speech, praising its approach to crime and sustainability but was “surprised and disappointed” at its approach to business rates. Commenting on the speech, which tackled issues such as immigration, crime, business rates and brexit, The BRC said: “The Government should implement…

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Fish4Dogs announces it has reached £17m turnover in eight years

Fish4Dogs has seen its turnover rise from £2m to £17m from 2010 to 2018, along with increasing its workforce by 27 percent in 2018. During 2018, the company has welcomed 13 new members to the team, and says it has seen “exceptional growth” in recent years under Graham Smith, who…

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Nation spends £12bn on pets

British dog owners now spend a total of £12bn on their pets every year, according to new research. The research by American Express, found there has been a marked increase in recent years as a result of both average spend per pet rising (now £1,342 per pet from £1,252 in…

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Scarsdale Vets hosts free training for veterinary nurses prior to OSCE exams

Scarsdale Vets in Derby has announced it is to hold free training courses in order to help vet nurses successfully complete their Objectively Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The quarterly event will take place at Pride Veterinary Centre on Monday 26 November between 6-8pm. The event will feature six different tasks…

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Bank of England puts hold on interest rates due to Brexit uncertainty

The Bank of England has placed interest rates on hold following growing uncertainty around Brexit. A vote to leave rates unchanged held by the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was in favour of leaving rates at 0.75% by 9-0. Financial markets are currently indicating that rates will not rise until…

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