Britain is open for business: Chancellor visits North America in investment drive

08th August 2024

Rachel Reeves to bang the drum for Britain in visit to New York City and Toronto this week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves on 5 August set off on a visit to New York and Toronto with the message that Britain is open for business. She will meet with CEOs and...

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Warning of false claims on deadlines to appeal the 2023 business rates list

18th June 2024

Be aware of false claims about deadlines to appeal the 2023 list for business rates. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is aware of false claims that the deadline for appeals to the 2023 rating lists is 30 June. This is not true. You should be wary of anyone making...

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Boost for small business as VAT threshold raised and rates frozen

02nd April 2024

Boost for small business as VAT threshold raised and rates frozen. On Monday 1 April 2024 small businesses received a boost as the VAT registration threshold is raised from £85,000 to £90,000, and £4.3 billion of business rates relief comes into force. Recognising the inflationary pressures facing small businesses,...

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British businesses to benefit as UK launches new trade talks with Türkiye

15th March 2024

The UK has launched talks with Türkiye on a new, modernised trade deal. The UK launches talks with Türkiye on a new, modernised trade deal targeting the services sector set to benefit businesses across the country. There are huge opportunities as Türkiye has one of the fastest growing economies...

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New Occupational Health Taskforce to tackle in-work sickness and drive down inactivity

22nd February 2024

Businesses will be urged to tackle in-work sickness and stop people falling out the workforce, following the appointment of Dame Carol Black as the Government’s new Occupational Health Tsar. Dame Carol, who has decades of experience in medicine and policy advisory while having chaired multiple government reviews, will head...

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New expert will champion small businesses across Government

20th February 2024

Shirley Cooper OBE has been appointed as the new Crown Representative for small businesses. An experienced entrepreneur has taken up a key role to promote the needs of small businesses to government and ensure suppliers seize the benefits of the Procurement Act. Shirley Cooper OBE, former chair and president...

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Government pledges £500,000 to boost British services exports

25th January 2024

The government is committing £500,000 to help UK professionals such as architects, auditors and accountants export their services around the world. More UK professionals will be able to provide their services around the world thanks to new government funding to help get UK qualifications recognised overseas.  Grants of up...

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UK takes action to boost supply chain resilience for critical goods and back businesses

17th January 2024

The Department for Business and Trade launches the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, safeguarding UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors. UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors will be safeguarded, thanks to the Government’s new Critical Imports and Supply...

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A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme development consent decision announced

15th January 2024

On Friday 12 January 2024, the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme application was granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport. The application involves the widening where necessary of the A12 between Chelmsford (junction 19) and the A120 (junction 25) from two to three lanes in each...

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Government takes action to back small businesses and tackle late payments

03rd October 2023

Government announces measures to tackle late payment of invoices to support small businesses and grow the economy

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