If Andy Burnham really wants to help NEETs he should rule out tax rises Opinion Andy Burnham’s announcements on technical education are welcome, but they will be meaningless if young people have no jobs to move into. The Budget will be the real test of how he plans to grow the economy, says Georgiana Bristol Andy Burnham has descended from the North with an array of new pledges and spending [...]
If Labour can’t cut taxes it could at least make them simpler Opinion Britain’s tax code is now among the most complicated in the world and businesses are left grappling with arbitrary distinctions that consume time and money. The King’s speech is a chance to reset the conversation, says Alan Vallance Ahead of the King’s Speech, the government faces a stark choice. It can continue layering new rules [...]
Sunak urges rethink on taxing jobs as AI begins to reshape hiring Tech Rishi Sunak has called for a rethink of how work is taxed, warning that AI is beginning to shift hiring patterns as companies weigh the cost of people against automation. Writing in The Times, Sunak said employers face immediate costs when hiring through national insurance contributions (NIC), while deploying AI carries no equivalent tax burden, [...]
Legal sector defies economic headwinds with rising headcount and profits November 10, 2025 Despite ongoing pressure on salaries and increases in employment taxes, legal firms have reported an average headcount increase of nearly 4 per cent over the past year. According to the ‘law firm benchmarking report’ by professional service firm Crowe, the headcount growth was concentrated among fee earners, but nearly half of firms reported either no [...]
Business leaders warn Budget tax hikes could trigger higher prices November 10, 2025 Senior business leaders have called on the government to avoid increasing the cost of employment in the upcoming Autumn Budget, in order to avoid SMEs raising prices. According to a new report by Employment Hero, 86 per cent of the 1,000 business leaders are concerned about what the upcoming Budget will mean for them, as [...]
Tax hikes and Employment Rights Bill driving firms to contractors August 19, 2025 Business pressures from increased costs are prompting leaders to seek alternatives to stay afloat, including going off-payroll by drafting in contractors.
Heathrow: Earnings jump despite cost warnings July 23, 2025 Heathrow Airport’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) edged up by 0.8 per cent in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2024 despite fears energy bills and maintenance costs would deal a blow to its growth. The airport previously predicted a hit to its earnings, warning [...]
London firms turn to hiring part time workers July 9, 2025 Businesses across London have turned to hiring more part-time workers ahead of a hot summer, with higher employment taxes prompting owners to offer more flexible work. A new survey by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has found that the capital city’s economy was in recovery mode, with sales rising and cash flows [...]
Reeves must provide ‘more stable’ tax policy, finance bosses say May 20, 2025 Rachel Reeves is facing pressure to provide a “clearer, more stable tax environment,” when she delivers her growth strategy in July. The Chancellor is once again in the spotlight after a damning report from finance bosses indicated the industry was prepped to support growth ambitions, but structural barriers were holding them back. Top players in [...]
Next CEO backs Lords battle against National Insurance tax rise January 29, 2025 The chief executive of retail giant Next has backed an attempt in the House of Lords to change the planned change to employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Lord Wolfson has supported amendments to the bill which have been tabled by Baroness Noakes. In Labour’s Budget last Autumn, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the government would [...]