Surrey County Council has admitted it does not have enough state school places to accommodate children transferring from private schools, following the government’s introduction of a 20 per cent VAT levy on independent education.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Miliband planning shake-up to bypass local opposition in wind farm push
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, is poised to rewrite Britain’s planning rules to clear the path for a massive expansion of wind and solar energy, effectively reducing local powers to block or alter green energy projects.
Farmers face £600m hit as second-worst harvest on record intensifies pressure
Britain’s farmers are set to collectively lose around £600 million after poor growing conditions produced the second-worst wheat harvest on record.
UK workforce set to hit record low as sickness surge takes toll on jobs market
Britain’s workforce will slide to a record low as growing numbers of people too unwell to work dampen the economy’s future prospects, according to the tax and spending watchdog.
Royal Mail fined record £10.5m for late deliveries
Royal Mail has been fined a record £10.5 million by the postal regulator after delivering more than a quarter of first-class letters late.
UK economy contracts again in October, defying hopes of a rebound
The UK economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 per cent in October, marking its second consecutive monthly decline, according to official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
10,000 small business leaders enrol in government-backed management training scheme
More than 10,000 people running small businesses have enrolled in the Help to Grow: Management programme, a government-subsidised training initiative designed to enhance leadership and boost productivity.
UAE buys Mclaren’s automotive business following record losses
Discover how Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund has taken over McLaren’s automotive arm as the British supercar maker faces record losses, ongoing financial strains, and a push towards electrification.
Rent rises slow, offering hope to beleaguered tenants
Discover why UK rent increases are easing for the first time in years, what this means for tenants facing rising costs, and how housing shortages and policy changes may affect the future rental market.
McWin Capital eyes Gail’s in bid to pre-empt £500m auction
Discover why McWin Capital Partners may acquire Gail’s bakery chain before a planned auction, potentially valuing the fast-growing British brand at up to £500 million.
Farmers descend on Westminster amid inheritance tax row as Starmer faces MPs’ questions
Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster today, chanting “no farmers, no food” outside Downing Street, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced tough questioning in the Commons over proposed changes to inheritance tax.
Christmas rail travel at risk as staff shortages and strikes loom
Travel plans over the festive season are under threat as the UK’s rail minister warns of staff shortages and fresh strike action by Avanti West Coast train managers.
Energy bills likely to inch higher from April as gas costs climb again
Rising wholesale gas prices and network charges could push UK household energy bills to £1,762 under April’s price cap, piling more pressure on consumers amid volatile global markets.
Pound hits 20-month high against Euro as ECB rate cuts loom
Sterling strengthened to its highest level against the euro in nearly two years on Tuesday, climbing by 0.3 per cent to reach €1.21.
HMRC under fire as thousands of ‘bogus’ Chinese companies exploit lax rules to dodge VAT
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has come under renewed scrutiny for what critics describe as a failure to clamp down on widespread tax evasion by thousands of Chinese “burner” companies.
