How SMEs Can Best Prepare For Post-Brexit Trading

SME post-Brexit preparation

Across the UK, many SMEs are still unaware of the need to prepare to do business with the EU after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31. As a sense of panic sets in, businesses are realising how much they need to take on board. Katrina McWhinnie, of the McWhinnie Consultancy, who gives advice … Read more

UK Govt Lowers Gigabit Broadband Target To 85%

Gigabit broadband

Plans to roll out gigabit broadband to every home in the UK have been regarded as highly ambitious, but is the decision to reduce the target to 85pc the right call? Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced last week, as part of a broader spending review, that the erstwhile plans for 100% coverage of gigabit broadband by … Read more

PM Targets High Spending To Boost Recovery Prospects

Growth of UK economy

PM Boris Johnson’s strategy is to pursue high levels of spending in order to stimulate a strong recovery, despite warnings from Chancellor Rishi Sunak over the budget deficit. Although it has been a terrible year so far, with more than 54,000 deaths from Covid-19, the latest economic forecasts, due out on Wednesday, will show the … Read more

£3bn Home Grants Scheme Stalls Weeks After Launch

Home grants scheme

The process of accreditation is discouraging builders and installers from joining the home grants scheme to improve the energy efficiency of homes in England. Tradesmen are failing to sign up to the Government’s plan to insulate draughty homes, leaving thousands of households unable to apply for the £3bn green home grants. The scheme, offering up … Read more

Self-Employed Warned Of Tax Sting In SEISS Schemes

SEISS Scheme Tax Stings

SEISS, aka the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, was extended last week to provide ongoing support, although those working for themselves have been warned of the tax implications of the scheme. SEISS was implemented earlier in the year as the impact of the coronavirus, especially of the lockdown, began to be felt by the self-employed. Initially … Read more

Financial Support For Self-Employed ‘Being Considered’

Support for self-employed during lockdown

As England prepares to enter a second lockdown on Thursday, Michael Gove, Minister for the Cabinet Office, has hinted that the self-employed could be given additional financial support. The support would last for the duration of the new national lockdown and comes after the furlough scheme, which had been due to end in October, was … Read more

SME Housebuilders Forecast Lower Growth

SME housebuilders predict slower growth

A majority of SME housebuilders have forecast lower growth due to the pandemic, a new survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Close Brothers Property Finance reveals. Overall, 65pc of SME housebuilders have forecast subdued growth. 39pc of these predict business will fall by 10-50pc, while 26pc expect a reduction in the region of … Read more