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

Thousands of small business owners are at breaking point due to months of lockdown, restricted trading and money spent on anti-Covid measures. For many, however, next Sunday’s tax payment deadline could be the final straw. Costs such as rent, rates, mortgages, utility bills and leases have all still had to be paid, while income has … Read more