Startups hit by R&D tax relief cut despite push for growth November 17, 2022 The Chancellor has cut the rate of research and development (R&D) tax relief for small businesses, in a “hugely disappointing” move for startups. In his Autumn budget, Jeremy Hunt slashed the relief from 14.5 per cent to 10 per cent, which may see the UK’s SMEs struggle to secure enough funding for R&D, according to [...]
Reeves says UK in ‘doom loop’ and being ‘held back’ as Hunt hikes taxes November 17, 2022 Rachel Reeves has described the UK as being in an economic “doom loop” as she hits out at the government’s newly announced tax hikes. Labour’s shadow chancellor said the “mess we are in is the result of 12 weeks of Conservative chaos, but also 12 years of Conservaitve economic failure”. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced public [...]
Government commits £6bn for energy efficiency drive to ease record bills November 17, 2022 The Government has committed further funding for a nationwide drive to boost the energy efficiency of people's homes.
Hunt pushes to make UK ‘the world’s next Silicon Valley’ November 17, 2022 The Chancellor has vowed to turn Britain into “the world’s next Silicon Valley,” stating that the key to global success was “not tax subsidies but competition”. In his Autumn statement, Jeremy Hunt restated the government’s commitment to pushing through legislation that would activate the Digital Markets Unit (DMU). Under the current draft Digital Markets Bill, [...]
Solvency II reform ‘welcome boost for UK investment’, say insurance giants November 17, 2022 The UK's insurance giants have hailed reforms to Solvency II as a "significant opportunity" to channel cash into the economy today, after the government announced it would legislate reforms to the rules.
Chancellor ‘misses a trick’ by not re-introducing tax-free shopping for overseas tourists November 17, 2022 West End business leaders have slammed the Chancellor for not changing his mind on an introduction of VAT free shopping for overseas tourists. Despite calls from luxury retailers this month, Jeremy Hunt made no mention of the prospect of introducing tax-free shopping for overseas visitors making trips to London’s shopping heartlands. Last month, Hunt announced [...]
Online sales tax gets canned for its ‘complexity’ November 17, 2022 Jeremy Hunt has scrapped the online sales tax, moving away from plans to better support the high street. Following a consultation, the Chancellor decided to dump the tax, reflecting the concerns about the complexity of the move, as well as “creating unintended distortion or unfair outcomes between different business models”. The levy was designed to [...]
Hospitality leaders warn of ‘severe contraction’ as Budget does little to alleviate closure concerns November 17, 2022 High street industry leaders have issued bleak warnings for this winter following the Chancellor’s Budget, forecasting a wave of closures and stark price hikes for punters. The OBR predicted that real household disposable income per person would plunge more than seven per cent over next two years, marking the biggest drop on record. While businesses [...]
Government announces Solvency II reform to unlock wave of investment November 17, 2022 The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, said the government will legislate reforms to Solvency II rules today in a bid to unlock 'tens of billions of pounds' of investment from the UK’s insurance giants.
Hunt hits renewables with levy and boosts windfall tax in £30bn-plus tax hike November 17, 2022 Hunt has announced a £14bn tax grab on domestic energy producers, bringing renewables into the toughened regime for the first time.