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Business News Archive

August 2021

BCC calls for government to extend skills training
CBI survey reveals bumper growth in private sector activity
Empty shop numbers continue to rise

July 2021

Data reveals nearly two million workers remain on furlough scheme
ICAEW urges HMRC to scrap exemptions to simplify VAT rules
Public trust in charities reaches highest level since 2014
SMEs 'keen to invest in growth but struggle to find financial backing', says survey
Government announces simplified tax reporting for self-employed and small firms
FSB urges government to provide SMEs with better access to support and advice
UK to overhaul funding of research and development
HMRC launches consultation on basis period reform
CIOT urges government to make tax system easier to navigate
CBI calls for urgent solution to 'crippling staff shortages'
Over 40% of UK employers planning to increase investment in skills
Job vacancies increase to over pre-pandemic levels
High Street sales bounce back in spring
Government urged to provide more clarity over reopening
International tax reform backed by 130 countries
HMRC publishes guidance on the fifth SEISS grant
Average losses from pensions scams now over £50,000
Businesses borrowed £79 billion in COVID-19 support loans
Questions remain over re-opening, say business groups
Aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic has caused 'significant rise in costs for businesses'
800,000 claim tax relief for working from home
Furlough scheme starts to wind down

June 2021

13,000 investigations launched into COVID-19 support scheme fraud
CBI warns of 'perfect storm' of staff shortages
Schemes create one stop shop for VAT on EU trade
Flexible rail fares must be just the start of changes, says BCC
Cash payments fell by over a third during 2020
UK economy back to pre-covid level by end of year
UK Infrastructure Bank opens for business
Delayed EU import declarations due
Commercial rent moratorium extended until March 2022
Over 280,000 families now using Tax-Free Childcare
Finance Act 2021 receives early Royal Assent
Business groups press for further support after lockdown easing delayed
HMRC outlines intention to recover £1 billion in fraudulent furlough funds
R&D relief regime ready for update, says ICAEW
Cash boost for apprenticeships launched
OTS considers moving tax year end
G7 announces global tax agreement
Bounce Back Loan repayments due for many small businesses
TUC suggests UK 'lagging behind G7 peers in green jobs plans'
Fifth SEISS grant will be open to claims from late July
Remote working was most common form of working during pandemic, BCC finds
Economic growth accelerates in three months to May

May 2021

Trade credit insurance scheme to close
Optimism across UK services sector has 'improved significantly', CBI finds
Number of freelancers increases for first time since onset of pandemic
Finance Bill outlines amendments to super-deduction
Plastic bag charge doubled in all shops in England
HMRC's VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme to close in June
NIC reliefs set for Freeports
Almost 950,000 have already filed 2020/21 self assessment returns
UK unemployment rate falls to 4.8% in March
Government confirms start date for Plastic Packaging Tax
Effectiveness of OTS set to be reviewed by Treasury
Data finds HMRC received 91,000 calls to report fraud in first months of pandemic
UK economy shrank 1.5% in first quarter of 2021, data reveals
Record level of Apprenticeship Levy funds expired in 2020, research finds
Next step of roadmap out of lockdown to take effect from 17 May
UK economy set to grow rapidly once COVID restrictions are relaxed
Optimism amongst SME manufacturers has risen significantly, survey suggests
Businesses planning to adopt 'hybrid' working after easing of COVID restrictions
CBI calls for more clarity on COVID-19 roadmap

April 2021

HMRC sets out penalty regime for SEISS abuse
Industry groups say more work needed after UK-EU trade deal ratified
Pandemic caused biggest annual employment fall for older workers
HMRC records huge increase in scam attempts
IPSE demands clarity on gig economy
HMRC contacting claimants for fourth self-employed grant
Pension fraud increased to £1.8 million in first quarter of 2021, data reveals
CBI calls for extension of Kickstart Scheme as jobs market remains subdued
Cyber-attacks on the rise for businesses
New 95% mortgage scheme launched
Recent changes to IR35 'undermine the self-employed', says IPSE
FSB urges government to provide greater support for UK exports
HMRC contacting claimants for fourth self-employed grant
UK economy improved in February despite lockdown
UK cuts electric vehicle grants by £500
New claims required for home working tax relief
Business confidence boosted by plans to re-open UK economy
IMF upgrades UK economic forecasts for 2021 and 2022
Start of new tax year ushers in raft of fiscal changes
Workers set to benefit from increases in National Minimum and Living wages

March 2021

ICAEW warns SMEs have 'limited window' to apply for Brexit grant
Over £46 billion borrowed through Bounce Back loans
Payment deadline looming for self assessment taxpayers
Business rates relief extended with £1.5 billion fund
Chancellor responds to OTS report on inheritance tax
Government publishes range of consultations to help modernise UK tax system
COVID lockdowns have cost the UK economy £251 billion, says CEBR
HMRC to accept bulk appeals for late tax returns due to pandemic
Thousands missing out on Tax-Free Childcare bonus
UK economy shrank in January, data reveals
£20 million SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications
Extend Kickstart Scheme by six months, urges CBI
Government publishes details of Finance Bill 2021
CBI calls for overhaul of government policy on environmental taxes
COVID-19 vaccines and stimulus plans will aid global growth, says OECD
ICAEW urges HMRC to rethink quarterly reports under MTD for corporation tax
Female freelancers have faced 'disproportionate financial struggle' during pandemic
Details of fourth grant for the self-employed published
Government to invest over £100 million in COVID fraud taskforce
Chancellor extends SDLT cut
View our 2021 Budget Report
2021 Budget - what to expect
Sunak sets out Budget to protect businesses
2021 Budget - the economic picture
2021 Budget - the political reaction
2021 Budget - the business reaction
Committee calls for Chancellor to outline plans for tax reform
COVID schemes now supporting 1.6 million UK businesses

February 2021

SMEs needing advice on imports and exports can apply for grants, HMRC confirms
Online service for VAT deferral scheme opens
Late payment penalties for self assessment waived until 1 April
More support needed to help businesses once lockdown lifts
Domestic VAT reverse charge comes into effect on 1 March
SME service for bank complaints goes live
HMRC clarifies off-payroll rules
IFS urges Chancellor to outline economic recovery plans in upcoming Budget
Over half a million businesses could collapse without further support
Clarity needed on taxation of COVID test costs, says ICAEW
UK economy shrank by record 10% in 2020
IoD calls for government to put entrepreneurs at heart of economic recovery
Borrowers of Bounce Back loans given six more months for repayments
HMRC's customer service levels impacted by COVID-19
Almost a third of house sales fall through as stamp duty deadline nears
Vaccination programme set to boost economic recovery
COVID-19 business lending exceeds £71 billion
1.8 million still to file self assessment returns
CBI urges government to publish roadmap out of lockdown
Government announces £1,000 bonus to help businesses take on trainees

January 2021

Finance Secretary for Scotland outlines spending plans in 2021/22 Scottish Budget
More than 900,000 businesses 'at risk of failing by April', research warns
UK tax system 'discourages employment and investment', IFS suggests
HMRC waives self assessment penalties for a month
LITRG calls for rise in High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold
Nine million people borrowed more in 2020 as result of COVID-19 pandemic
One in three blocked from paying with cash during pandemic
Big businesses must pay small suppliers more quickly under changes to PPC
CBI urges government to 'act on COVID business support' ahead of Budget
Supreme Court backs small firms on business interruption claims
COVID-19 is reasonable excuse for self assessment late filing, says HMRC
Taxpayers using Time to Pay to spread cost of tax payments
Monthly deadline approaching for furlough claims
ICAEW calls for further guidance on CIS changes
HMRC issues self assessment scam warning
Pandemic drives dramatic increase in SME borrowing
HMRC reveals 2,700 tax returns submitted on Christmas Day
Business groups urge Chancellor to do more to support firms
Chancellor unveils £4.6 billion lockdown grant package
TUC urges employers to offer furlough to parents affected by school closures

December 2020

Your financial New Year's resolutions
Don't forget to file your self assessment tax return
Preparing your business for winter weather
BIRA urges retailers to remain vigilant during festive period and beyond
HMRC rejects calls to relax 31 January self assessment deadline
IPSE calls for government to extend SEISS
Government must take another look at support for businesses in Tier 4, says CBI
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until end of April 2021
Scheme launched to support firms moving goods after Brexit
IR35 status check failing to deliver results in a fifth of cases
CGT rise would adversely affect entrepreneurs, warns IoD
Individuals urged to remain vigilant when making festive charitable donations
UK growth slowed in October as economic recovery stalls
£100 billion savings glut could fuel economic recovery, says Bank of England
Monthly deadline approaching for furlough claims
Businesses have 'insufficient information' on Brexit changes, BCC finds
Lenders still supporting thousands with payment deferrals
AAT warns of dramatic rise in self-assessment filing
Government must shore up business confidence ahead of COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Number of CBILS applications to rise, experts predict
HMRC cracks down on marketing of tax avoidance schemes

November 2020

Third SEISS grant opens as IPSE issues warning
Business survival hanging by a thread in toughened tiers, warns CBI
Chancellor presents Spending Review
Applicants for third SEISS grant will face new test, ICAEW warns
ATT calls for clarity on virtual seasonal parties
HMRC begins 'Eat Out to Help Out' compliance checks
Self assessors warned to watch out for scammers posing as HMRC
£1 million Annual Investment Allowance cap extended for a year
Contactless payments reached record level in August
HMRC confirms MTD for corporation tax to be mandated from 2026
Wealth gap widening as result of coronavirus pandemic, research suggests
Current CGT regime 'fit for purpose', says ICAEW
UK economy rebounds from recession
Self-employed sector facing 'avoidable decline', according to IPSE
Real Living Wage increases across the UK
PAC finds over £1 billion worth of fraudulent Bounce Back loan applications
Chancellor extends furlough scheme to end of March
FCA proposes further support for consumer credit borrowers impacted by COVID-19
Government delays implementation of new pensions dashboards
Support for self-employed increased as lending schemes extended
Furlough scheme extended and changed for new lockdown

October 2020

ATT issues last call for firms seeking to use increased Annual Investment Allowance
Chancellor to set out one-year Spending Review in November
ICAEW calls for reform of 'inflexible business rates'
Survey finds small business confidence has been in negative territory since 2018
NAO finds 'significant levels of furlough fraud occurred' during start of pandemic
Chancellor increases financial support for businesses affected by COVID restrictions
IoD outlines reforms to Prompt Payment Code
HMRC urges businesses to ensure they are ready for new customs and tax rules
PAC calls on government to give 'honest picture' of UK tax gap
Government outlines plans to protect future of cash
Government launches new coronavirus fraud hotline
Over 54,000 workers claim home working tax relief using online portal
Tax rises 'inevitable', says IFS
Resolution Foundation warns of a 'lost COVID generation'
Job Support Scheme expanded for local lockdowns
Government to proceed with plans to create freeports across UK
NAO warns loan scheme could result in £26 billion in losses
Survey finds business conditions remained weak in third quarter of 2020
Coronavirus permanently changes working patterns
Retirement plans altered by pandemic
British Business Bank warns of fraud risks with coronavirus business loans
Benefits-in-kind regime 'not fit for purpose', says ICAEW

September 2020

Criminals exploiting coronavirus pandemic, trade association warns
Furlough scheme set to move into final month
Cyber security top risk for audit executives, research suggests
Business groups welcome extended coronavirus support
UK economic recovery slowing even before new Covid-19 curbs
Chancellor outlines Winter Economy Plan
Business groups call for more support following new restrictions
NAO calls on Treasury to safeguard access to cash
UK businesses voluntarily return £215 million in furlough funds
MPs urge Chancellor to extend job retention scheme
FCA confirms support for mortgage borrowers
HMRC urges VAT-registered businesses to prepare for Brexit trading changes
Private pension withdrawal age to be raised
CBI warns of rocky road despite July economic growth
Lockdown grants welcome but more support needed, say business groups
IoD urges government to extend coronavirus insolvency measures
Up to £3.5 billion in furlough payments fraudulent, HMRC finds
FSB urges government to provide Brexit transition vouchers
Treasury publishes consultation on VAT refund scheme
Tax hike for freelancers would be unjust, claims IPSE
Research reveals 800,000 workers being 'under-enrolled' in pension schemes
Kickstart Scheme opens for applications
UK plastic bag tax charge to be doubled and extended to all retailers

August 2020

ICAEW warns R&D credit cap may impact genuine claims
More than £30 million lost to pension scams
Small businesses call on government to extend Eat Out to Help Out scheme
Government provides £20 million in funding to boost recovery of small firms
HMRC blocks thousands of furlough applications
Treasury outlines plans for carbon emissions tax
Businesses 'vulnerable' as coronavirus schemes wind down, BCC suggests
29% of SMEs 'carried on as usual' during pandemic, survey finds
Drop in number of self-employed will lead to 'brittle workforce', IPSE warns
Second round of grants for the self-employed opens
Freelancers experience drop in income
FSB urges local councils 'not to delay small business grants'
UK economy falls into recession for first time in 11 years
Government coronavirus schemes 'failing to provide support', BCC finds
Bounce Back loans average 87,000 approvals a week since launch
Government further extends Tax-Free Childcare scheme as result of coronavirus
ICAEW warns taxpayers have 90 days to notify HMRC of overclaimed COVID-19 grants
Ensure interaction between VAT and Eat Out to Help Out is understood, ICAEW urges
Bank of England holds rates as economy set for record slump
HMRC publishes guidance on claiming Job Retention Bonus
SME manufacturing activity plummets, says CBI
FSB calls for further help for employers as furlough wind-down begins
Data reveals significant decrease in inheritance tax receipts
More firms to benefit from CBILS following changes to loan rules
HMRC sets up scheme for loan charge refunds

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