The bus fare cap in England will increase to £3, up from £2, as announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The new cap will take effect until the end of 2025, impacting millions of bus users.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Doubts grow over release of long-awaited HBOS scandal report as Lloyds resists full disclosure
The long-delayed HBOS scandal review, examining Lloyds Banking Group’s handling of a £1 billion fraud, faces uncertainty as the bank declines to commit to releasing the full report, raising transparency concerns.
Lord Bamford’s £300m family windfall from JCB raises questions amid potential wealth tax
Billionaire Lord Bamford’s family secures a £300m payout from JCB following a 44% profit surge, as Labour signals tax hikes for the wealthy. With budget discussions looming, concerns grow over potential capital gains and property tax changes in the UK.
Consumer confidence dips ahead of Labour’s first Budget as concerns over tax rises grow
Consumer confidence in the UK declined in October, with pessimism about the upcoming Budget outweighing optimism from falling inflation, according to GfK’s latest consumer confidence index.
Rachel Reeves to introduce new debt rule, unlocking £50bn for UK investment
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces a new investment-focused debt rule, unlocking £50bn for capital projects while maintaining fiscal discipline. Learn more about the Budget changes aimed at boosting UK growth.
You’re not ‘working people’, Keir Starmer tells landlords & shareholders as PM draws battle lines signalling major tax hikes in Budget
With Labour’s Budget expected to introduce £35bn in tax hikes, PM Keir Starmer distinguishes “working people” from asset earners, signalling targeted increases on landlords and shareholders. Learn more about the proposed changes and their potential impact.
Mike Ashley demands to take charge at Boohoo amid leadership crisis
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group calls for his appointment as Boohoo CEO, criticising the retailer’s leadership and declining performance. Learn more about the strategic review and the growing boardroom battle.
UK car production drops by over 20% as automakers shift to electric vehicles
UK car production fell by 20.6% in September as manufacturers shifted to electric vehicles and export volumes declined. Learn more about how the industry is navigating the transition to zero-emission vehicles and the impact on key markets like the EU and China.
Reeves collects record £2.2bn from ‘death tax’ ahead of Budget
Rachel Reeves collects a record £2.2bn in inheritance tax as the UK government prepares potential reforms to the “death tax” ahead of the Autumn Budget. Find out more about the proposed changes and rising tax revenues.
Britain’s biggest Rolex seller urged to move primary listing to US
Watches of Switzerland, the UK’s largest Rolex seller, is being urged by investor Gatemore to move its stock listing to the US for higher valuations, amid concerns about London’s struggling stock market and the UK’s luxury goods sector.
One-third of UK businesses urge government to cut Brexit red tape
One-third of UK businesses are calling for a reduction in Brexit-related red tape to support trade, according to a survey by Santander. Learn more about their concerns and how they’re seeking government support.
UK government borrowing surges to £16.6bn in September, exceeding forecasts
UK government borrowing surged to £16.6 billion in September, exceeding forecasts and intensifying pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her Autumn Budget. Find out how this will impact the economy.
UK interest rates ‘could fall as low as 2.75% in the next year’, Goldman Sachs predicts
Goldman Sachs predicts UK interest rates could fall to 2.75% by 2025, faster than market expectations, as inflation eases. Learn about the Bank of England’s challenges ahead.
UK business confidence hits twelve-month low as Autumn Budget looms
UK business confidence hits a twelve-month low ahead of the Autumn Budget, with SMEs expressing growing concern over potential tax hikes and fiscal challenges. Learn more about how different sectors are being affected.
UK at ‘massive global disadvantage’ over tourist tax, retail bosses warn Rachel Reeves
Retail bosses urge Rachel Reeves to scrap the tourist tax in her upcoming Budget, warning that the lack of VAT-free shopping is putting Britain at a “massive global disadvantage” and costing billions in lost GDP.
