Failed housing transactions cost consumers and the economy at least £1.5 billion every year, according to research published by Santander. The research says that over 530,000 transactions fall through every year due to the UK’s antiquated homebuying process. The economic…
Artificial intelligence (AI) could boost the value of cross-border flows of goods and services by nearly 40% by 2040 thanks to productivity gains and lower trade costs, according to a World Trade Organization (WTO) report. However, the report says that…
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to cut National Insurance contributions (NICs) and increase Income Tax to create a ‘level playing field’ and protect workers' pay. The Resolution Foundation said the Chancellor should make a 2p cut to NICs as…
The government has launched a voluntary repayment scheme to allow recipients of financial Covid support to repay outstanding money they were not entitled to or did not need with ‘no questions asked’. The government says that over £10 billion was…
The government’s Budget Board must focus on easing the cost of doing business, says the Institute of Directors (IoD). The board has been created to link top ministers and 10 Downing Street officials with the Treasury. The board will meet…
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will look at fixing the cliff edges in business rates that can discourage small business investment and growth, according to a report from HM Treasury. Currently when a business opens a second property, they will lose access…
The overall outlook for the UK economy remains subdued despite an upgrade to its forecast, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The UK economy is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2025, revised up from the previous forecast of…
Companies could be prosecutedand face unlimited fines if they fail to prevent fraud that their firm profits from under a new corporate offence. The offence will hold large organisations to account if they profit from fraud. It forms part of…
Lowering the threshold for VAT registration would breach Labour’s manifesto, IPSE, the Self-Employed Association has warned. IPSE says that the government is in a bind both politically and economically. Having ruled out tax rises on ‘working people’ and hiking employer…
New company car advisory fuel rates have been published and took effect from 1 September 2025. The guidance states: ‘you can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’. The rates only…
