Budget

This coverage examines the UK Government’s Budget announcements and their impact on the petcare industry, focusing on measures that affect retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and supply chain operators. Pet Gazette reports on changes to taxation, business rates, funding schemes, and economic forecasts, alongside analysis of how these policies influence operational costs, investment decisions, and consumer spending. Our coverage helps pet trade professionals understand the financial and regulatory environment to plan effectively for the year ahead.

Nov- 2019 -

18 November

Retailing

Conservatives pledge business rates review

The Conservative Party has pledged a business rates review which aims to “reduce the burden” on UK businesses, as part of its election campaign. It said business rates are one of the “top concerns” of British businesses, and added that a Conservative majority Government will launch a “fundamental review” at…
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Oct- 2019 -

15 October

Economy

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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Oct- 2018 -

29 October

Retailers

Autumn Budget 2018: Business rates cut for SMEs and new digital services tax

Chancellor Philip Hammond has confirmed plans to give smaller retailers a 33 percent cut to business rates and introduced a new digital services tax for companies with at least £500m in global revenue. The reduction in rates will take place over the next two years and is expected to save…
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Aug- 2017 -

18 August

Current Affairs

Retail sales increase by 0.3%

Retail sales increased by 0.3 percent in July 2017, compared with the previous month, according to the Office of National Statistics. This was due to strong sales in food stores at 1.5 percent; recovering from a fall of 1.1 percent in June 2017. The underlying pattern in the quantity bought, measured…
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9 August

Current Affairs

Majority of small firms stretched to meet NLW

New research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows the majority (64 percent) of small firms impacted by the National Living Wage (NLW) have stretched to meet the latest rise by taking lower profits. Two in five (39 percent) small businesses affected by the NLW have put up prices…
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Jun- 2017 -

13 June

Current Affairs

Small firms ‘squeezed’ by inflationary pressure, says FSB

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remains above the Government’s 2 percent target. The CPI is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services. Its 12-month rate rose to 2.9 percent in May 2017, up from 2.7 percent in April, reported the Office for…
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Mar- 2017 -

17 March

Industry News

Relief for self-employed following NIC U-turn

Self-employed Brits will not face a hike on Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) as the Chancellor makes a U-turn. It was announced in the Spring Budget 2017 that the self-employed would be asked to contribute more National Insurance. Mike Cherry, FSB national chairman, said:“We are delighted for our members and all…
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15 March

Current Affairs

Budget a ‘disaster’ for pet stores, says new PIF Chair

The newly appointed chair of the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has spoken out against the recent budget, calling it a ‘disaster’ for small high street pet stores. Referring to the announcement last week by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, that business rates would not be reduced for small businesses, Steve Fowler,…
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8 March

Current Affairs

Government unveils £300m business rate relief fund

[author title=”Tom Davis” image=”http://”][/author]The government has helped soften the blow of April’s business rate revaluation with a £300m relief fund for local councils. The announcement was made by chancellor Philip Hammond at today’s Spring Budget, in which he said business rates raise £25bn each year – all of which, by…
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8 March

Current Affairs

Budget announced: Self employed face insurance hike

Self employed workers will face an increase in National Insurance contributions, the Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced. ‘The self-employed were the biggest losers’, according to IPSE, an organisation representing self-employed and professional freelancers and contractors. There will be a 2 percent increase for self-empoloyed National Insurance Contributions by 2018, and the…
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