UK economic growth to halve this year, warns BCC

UK economic growth is expected to halve this year amid soaring inflation, major tax rises, and global shocks including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, warns the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC has downgraded its expectations for UK GDP growth in 2022 to 3.6% from 4.2% in its previous forecast in December 2021. This would… Read more…

CMA frees leaseholders from rising ground rents

Intervention by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has freed more leaseholders from increasing ground rent terms that saw them trapped in homes they struggled to sell or mortgage. Businesses which had bought freeh­olds from housing developer Countryside have now given formal commitments to the CMA to remove terms that cause ground rents to double… Read more…

HMRC raises late payment interest rate

Following the decision by the Bank of England to increase the base rate, HMRC has confirmed that the late payment interest rate rose a quarter of a percent. The increase applies from 14 February 2022 for quarterly instalment payments and from 21 February 2022 for non-quarterly instalment payments. On 2 February 2022, the Bank’s Monetary… Read more…

Two freeports planned for Scotland

A partnership agreement to establish two green freeports in Scotland has been reached between the Scottish and UK governments. The locations for the freeports have not yet been decided and there will be an application process with a view to setting up the freeports in 2023. Applicants in Scotland will be required to contribute towards… Read more…

Businesses urged to apply for remaining COVID-19 support grants

Businesses are being encouraged to apply for remaining coronavirus (COVID-19) grant funding from local authorities. Hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses can still apply for one-off cash grants of up to £6,000 through the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme. The funding is made up of £556 million available through the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant… Read more…

Coronavirus SSP Rebate Scheme set to close on 17 March

The?Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme?(SSPRS) will close on 17‌‌‌ ‌March‌‌‌ ‌2022. The SSPRS was reintroduced by the government on 21 December 2021 for employers with fewer than 250 employees. The maximum claim per employee is two weeks at the statutory sick pay (SSP) rate of £96.35 per week (£192.70 in total), which is the rate… Read more…

Spring Statement is the time to act, says CBI

The Chancellor must act at the Spring Statement or risk the UK economy drifting backwards to low growth, warns the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The Spring Statement will take place on 23 March 2022. The CBI has set out a range of policies it says are aimed at sparking growth via business investment. These… Read more…