19 h. ago National Insurance Contributions: what do new employers NICs changes and rates increase mean for UK workers?

Businesses are bracing for higher costs, and could squeeze workers even more 💼

Politics

4 d. ago Employers ‘loaded up’ with business rates, says shadow chancellor

A 75% relief in business rates fell to 40% this month.

Politics

7 d. ago Retail and hospitality in London face extra £2bn in costs from this week

Lower business rates, higher minimum wages and National Insurance Contributions all pile on the pressure

Economics

7 d. ago Government stands firm in efforts to scrap tax relief for private schools

The Government has stood firm in its bid to scrap tax relief for private schools and push ahead with business rates reform.

Economics

8 d. ago Warning to businesses as billions of extra costs to hit next week

Supermarkets, food producers and online retailers will also be hit by a new plastic packaging tax

Events

1 week ago GMB's Kate Garraway clashes with guest in tense interview as fans left divided

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway got into a heated debate with shadow chancellor Mel Stride

Politics

1 week ago ‘We’re all dreading April’ say pubs and salons ahead of business rates rise

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made no changes to an upcoming jump in rates at the spring statement on Wednesday.

Politics

1 week ago Chancellor has ‘reneged’ on her promises to the British people, Stride says

The shadow chancellor described Ms Reeves as a ‘gambler’ who has ‘clobbered’ businesses.

Politics

1 week ago Tory Mel Stride told off for using banned word in Spring Statement response

The Conservative Shadow Chancellor was in full flow, noisily picking holes in the Spring Statement - when Speaker Lindsay Hoyle had to step in and admonish him

Events

1 week ago British Gas: Martin Lewis shares unique fixed tariffs for cheap energy, electricity rates – hurry for savings

Martin Lewis has a way to save if you’re worried about rising energy bills ⚡

Economics

1 week ago Odds of May interest rate cut rise after UK inflation falls to 2.8% – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as pound dips after February’s inflation reportFurther benefits cuts planned as Rachel Reeves forced to find extra £1.6bnFive economic factors that will govern Rachel Reeves’s spring statementSterling is weakening a little, after UK inflation fell by more than expected this morning.The pound has lost nearly a third of a cent against the US dollar to $1.2915.The market reaction to this data has been minimal, as the focus remains on the Spring Statement later today.The pound has dropped slightly, but GBP/USD is down less than 20 pips so far on Wednesday, the bond markets are not open, but we think that UK Gilts will also have a mild reaction to this data. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago The hidden labour cost looming for thousands of UK businesses

There are fears that business rates payments increasing could be the final straw for some

Economics

1 week ago This government has one last chance to take a progressive path. Otherwise, we’re at the point of no return | John McDonnell

In her spring statement, I urge Rachel Reeves to look beyond short-term economic stability – and towards tackling long-term inequalityIf someone read out the following list of policies, which party would you think was in power? Depriving 2 million pensioners of the winter fuel allowance. Refusing to scrap the two-child benefit cap to lift nearly half a million children out of poverty. Raising tuition fees for students by more than the rate of inflation. Cutting overseas aid to the poorest people across the globe by half. Cutting £5bn from benefits for disabled people. Introducing a new round of cuts to government department spending and laying off 50,000 public sector workers.I very much doubt even 12 months ago you would have thought that this would be the Labour party in government.John McDonnell is the independent MP for Hayes and Harlington. He was shadow chancellor for Labour from 2015 to 2020 Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Four sports broadcasters fined £4m after colluding on freelance pay rates

BT, IMG, ITV and BBC have all been fined after a regulator found companies coordinated on how much to pay freelancers.

Economics

2 w. ago Why have interest rates not changed and what has it got to do with US tariffs?

The PA news agency looks at what the decision means and what the Bank of England expects to happen to the economy.

Politics

2 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – as it happened

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Politics

2 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – business live

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Economics

2 w. ago UK interest rates: What the latest decision means for savings and mortgages and when rates will be cut

“Overall, with an array of moving parts the bank judged back-to-back cuts inappropriate, but there were signals that interest rates will be reduced again later this year”

Economics

2 w. ago Bank of England holds interest rates amid concerns over inflation and Trump tariffs

Interest rate remains set at 4.5 per cent but there are still expectations of cuts this year

Economics

2 w. ago UK interest rates held at 4.5% as Bank warns over US tariff uncertainty

Eight members of the Bank’s nine-person Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep rates on hold.

Events