In The News

Just under half of all the UK’s high street banks could close by the end of the year, prompting calls to turn empty branches into hubs shared by banks. Even though 81pc believe that trust is the ‘most important factor in their purchasing journey’, 76pc say they lack confidence in using their banking services online, … Read more

The UK’s largest lenders are preparing to collect billions of pounds in repayments of emergency loans amid rising concerns that firms could be strongarmed into making repayments. While banks are busy assigning hundreds of employees to be the driving force behind the recovery efforts, bosses have conducted regular talks with the Treasury to finalise plans. … Read more

As the banks have reduced branch opening hours over the last 12 months and often employed fewer staff, dealing with customer complaints and queries has been a major challenge for them. But some have managed much better than others. The latest analysis of feedback and complaints data carried out by consumer website Fairer Finance shows … Read more

Hundreds of thousands of small business owners who have lost money during the pandemic crisis will be able to claim more than £1bn in tax relief to help mitigate losses. The Government announced an emergency extension to ‘loss carry back’ rules in the Budget at the start of the month. The move will enable businesses … Read more

Industry groups have warned the collapse of the UK’s trade with the EU will continue into the summer following the failure to recruit as many as 30,000 customs agents, despite government assurances that normal service has resumed. Delays and confusion at Britain’s ports, resulting in 40pc of lorries crossing the Channel with empty containers, threatens … Read more

HMRC has emailed thousands of freelancers to explain how the fourth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant will work and how to apply. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced details of the grant in Wednesday’s Budget. The tax office is contacting workers who may be eligible for the fourth SEISS grant from mid-April to explain how they … Read more

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to offer 700,000 shops, pubs, hotels, restaurants and other businesses, grants of up to £18,000 each as part of a £5bn rescue scheme to prevent mass bankruptcies. As companies struggle to withstand the latest Covid19 lockdown in a strong enough position to reopen, the plan to be announced in Wednesday’s budget … Read more

Government sources have confirmed Rishi Sunak’s March budget will feature a new Covid rescue support package involving the deferral of plans for significant tax increases in favour of a cautious approach to reopening the economy. The prime minister indicated on Wednesday that the Government would adopt a measured plan of action towards reopening hospitality, which … Read more

Ministers must extend eligibility criteria currently excluding more than 3 million in self-employment during the Covid-19 crisis, MPs and campaign groups say. The Government is coming under increasing pressure to fill the gaps in its emergency coronavirus wage subsidy schemes in the March budget to help millions of those in self-employment and workers barred from … Read more

Businesses are to be given more time to repay Covid loans, as the chancellor announces options to delay the first payment for six months and make repayments over 10 years. Firms struggling to keep afloat during the pandemic are to be given more time to make the first repayment on government support loans. Rishi Sunak … Read more