Interest rate hike just around the corner
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s The Today Programme, Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, has hinted that an interest rate rise could be just around the corner. Speaking on the show, Mr...
View ArticleUK economic growth robust, study finds
The latest data from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) suggests that UK economic growth is robust, and continues to be driven by flourishing export activity spurred on by the weak pound....
View ArticleProblems expected with HMRC’s new ‘simple assessment’ process
A number of tax and accounting bodies have warned that HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) new simple assessment process will result in a catalogue of coding errors and other complications. It is...
View ArticleOne in four businesses unaware of apprenticeship levy benefits
Around a quarter of apprenticeship levy-paying businesses still do not know how the new tax works, according to research. The British Chambers of Commerce, which published the report in conjunction...
View ArticleFormer pensions minister warns of “distressing” HMRC scams
A former pensions minister turned political campaigner is urging members of the public to be wary of “distressing” scam telephone calls purporting to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Baroness...
View ArticleE-commerce grows “seven times faster” than global average
E-commerce businesses have grown “seven times faster” than the global retail average, according to a new study. OC&C Strategy Consultants, which published the figures, found that the biggest online...
View ArticleHMRC helping to fight cybercrime
As part of its ongoing crackdown on cybercrime, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) claims to have commandeered as many as 75 ‘deceptive websites’. The Revenue claims that it has successfully prevented...
View ArticleBritain draws “record-breaking” number of tourists
The UK tourism industry is “booming”, with the island expecting to see nearly 40 million overseas visitors by the end of this year. VisitBritain – the tourism body in charge of attracting tourists to...
View ArticleSMEs set to boost the economy
A new study suggests contributions from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK’s top ten cities will grow by an average of 19 per cent. Currently, SMEs based in the UK contribute £202...
View ArticleIMF suggests raising top rates of tax in developed countries
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that some “rich countries” could, in theory, raise income taxes without harming economic performance. It said raising the top rates of tax could...
View ArticleBanks will crackdown on unsecured lending to households – amid concerns that...
Banks will crackdown on unsecured lending to households – amid concerns that the consumer debt crisis is spiralling out of control. The Bank of England (BoE) warned the banks have already cut back on...
View ArticleBusiness groups set out Autumn Budget wish lists
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to support Britain’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the...
View ArticleWith Artificial Intelligence, UK economy could see an extra £630 billion
New research suggests that the UK could benefit from £630 billion, if Artificial Intelligence (AI) is supported and backed by the Government. The report, which was published earlier this month,...
View ArticleFraudsters go after taxpayers in new VAT scam
A cyber security expert has warned about a new breed of “phishing” emails, designed to trick taxpayers into downloading malicious software. Security specialist Trustwave, which published the report,...
View ArticleHMRC inundated with SDLT queries
Reports suggest that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is being inundated with queries about Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) – and is failing to reply to customers within an adequate timeframe. According to...
View ArticleUK businesses wasting thousands on unwanted workplace perks, says study
Is your company making the most out of employee benefits? Because according to a new UK study, a large majority of work perks aren’t appreciated nor wanted by employees. Sage People, which published...
View ArticleGDPR helpline seeks to support small businesses
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has confirmed that it will launch a specialist telephone service to help small businesses get to grips with the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation...
View ArticleHammond urged to freeze business rates in Autumn Budget
Chancellor Philip Hammond has been urged to consider important reforms to business rates ahead of the upcoming Autumn Budget on 22 November. The calls come amid concerns that a rise in business rates...
View ArticleProperty fraud – how to prevent it
Over the last 18 months, a team of fraudsters have managed to sell a total of 21 properties for some £700,000 – unbeknown to the actual owner, Severn Trent Water. The gang of four were found guilty...
View ArticleEconomic growth exceeds expectations in third quarter
Official figures have revealed that UK economic growth exceeded expectations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2017. Data suggests that UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 per cent during the three...
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