UK economy surpasses pre-pandemic level
November 2021 UK GDP estimate up 0.7% on February 2020.
Retail footfall slips amid Omicron concerns
Shoppers limited their in-store trips to avoid COVID variant.
Chancellor sets out £1bn fund for Omicron-hit businesses
Omicron variant sparks new support measures for hardest-hit firms.
Rebates available from January 2022.
Firms can claim one-off grants of up to £6k.
Firms want support as customers cancel bookings
Hospitality takings could fall 40% during vital trading period.
The scheme remains open for small and medium-sized firms until 30 June 2022.
Small business confidence loses steam
State of economy cited as major problem for businesses.
Economy grows by 0.6% in September 2021
Services grow by 0.7%, spurred by in-person GP appointments.
Business rates relief for hospitality, retail and leisure in 2022/23
50% discount available, up to maximum of £110,000.
‘GDP back to pre-pandemic level by the end of 2021’
Better than expected growth to oversee economic recovery.
Economy inches towards recovery in August
Economy grows by 0.4% in August after -0.1% slump in July.
Was the stamp duty land tax holiday a success or failure?
Pre-pandemic stamp duty land tax rates are back in place until at least 31 March 2022.
Treasury considers recovery loan scheme extension
The renewed scheme could become less generous to firms.
Stamp duty land tax reverts back to type
Pre-pandemic regime is back in place.
Hospitality and tourism VAT rises to 12.5%
Trade bodies demand temporary rate be made permanent.
Furlough scheme ends after 18 months
Around 1m people were still furloughed.
Borrowing between April and August less than expected
Monthly borrowing remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Inflation rises in August to 3.2%
End to pandemic-related subsidisation pushes up food prices.
Economic recovery stalls in July
GDP grows by 0.1% in July 2021.
Summer saving hampers consumer spending
Britons’ savings down in July but above expectations.
Government borrowing shrinks in July 2021
Borrowing is second highest on record for that month.
Inflation rate falls to 2.1% in year to July 2021
Year to July 2021 inflation rate hovers above 2% target.
Could NICs rates be about to change for 2022/23?
Reports suggest the Government might be about to break a manifesto pledge.
Govt. considers raising NICs for 2022/23
Report suggests National Insurance contributions could rise 1%.
UK house prices fall by 0.3%
House prices drop for the first time in 2021.
UK economy grows as COVID-19 restrictions ease
Hospitality and retail bounce back in Q2 2021.
Startups outstrip business closures in 2021
Business start-ups in 2021 up by 22% from previous year.
Govt. introduces £750m live events insurance scheme
It will cover costs in the event of cancellation.
Output per hour grew fastest in North West in 2020
The UK economy grew by 0.4% in the UK.
Applications for ‘fifth-and-final’ SEISS grant open
Self-employed taxpayers have until 30 September 2021 to submit their claims.
Furlough support cut threatens to axe jobs
One in five businesses say they are likely to make redundancies.
More than half of businesses confident they can pay off debts
One in five remain unsure about their debt repayments.
Retail sales figures improved in June 2021
The proportion of retail sales fell in the same period.
Hospitality sees promising recovery in spring
Business confidence in the sector remains low, however.
Monthly borrowing figures start to climb down
Borrowing in June 2021 was the second highest on record.
Inflation rate sees fourth month of consecutive growth
Rising prices coincides with unlocking of UK economy.
14.5 million jobs supported since pandemic onset
Critics argue millions have been “excluded” from support.
UK GDP grows by 0.8% in May 2021
Growth was primarily driven by the service sector.
COVID-19 loans hit total value of £80 billion
BBLS applications accounted for the majority of claims.
Post-pandemic job exodus could cost businesses up to £17 billion
The cost equates to £10,076 per business.
HMRC posts renewal reminder for tax credits claims
Some review packs require a reply for renewal.
Employers start contributing to furlough payments
The furlough scheme begins winding down.
Stamp duty holiday begins tapering off
Rates will change from today.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak rejects extension pleas as COVID-19 restrictions extend.
Government borrowing eases in May
Tax receipts were £1.7bn higher than predicted.
HMRC tasked with £1bn false furlough claims recovery
Furlough fraud was previously thought to be £3.5bn.
Rishi Sunak rejects pleas for furlough extension
Furlough is to be phased out from 1 July.
The economy grew by 2.3% in April 2021
Local holidays and hospitality drove the boost.
HMRC changes process for furlough claims for multiple employees
Updated templates should make the system easier.
Trade credit reinsurance scheme to end
It will end on the originally planned date.
Employers told to issue childcare voucher reminder
HMRC also implies working parents might be better off using tax-free childcare.
Inflation increases to 1.6%
It is a return to pre-pandemic inflation levels.
Unemployment decreases by 0.9%
The employment rate remains below pre-pandemic levels.
DWP rejects keeping £20 universal credit uplift
The Chancellor extended the increase by six months.
More than 550,000 workers have already claimed.
Queen’s speech promises national recovery
It failed to indulge any specific fiscal policies.
Rent debt threatens 330,000 hospitality jobs, survey warns
Eviction bans are to end in July.
History shows COVID-19 debt ‘can be coped with’, researchers claim
The debt-to-income ratio was 250% in 1947.
Breathing space debt respite scheme launched
700,000 people are to benefit from the scheme.
SEISS scam email circulating online
30 Apr 21
Spelling mistakes give the fake document away.
Self-employed income support scheme: Round Four
Everything you need to know as the fourth tranche of taxable grants open.
UK tax take down 8% from last year
VAT and corporation tax took the biggest total hits.
Gateway for self-employed grants opens
HMRC should have already alerted applicants.
Fuel and clothing prices push up inflation
Food prices fell over the same period.
ONS: Labour market is ‘stable but subdued’
The unemployment rate “has begun to stabilise”.
Government kicks off new 95% mortgage scheme
It aims to increase supply of 5% deposit mortgages.
HMRC publishes penalties for not paying deferred VAT
Businesses can still make arrangements to avoid penalties.
Government launches recovery loan scheme
The new scheme is open to businesses big and small.
ONS figures show 0.4% growth in February
GDP remained below February 2020 levels, however.
Outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail reopen
Consumer confidence rebounds as lockdown measures ease.
Recovery Loan Scheme launches
Another round of government-backed loans are available.
Land and buildings transaction tax holiday ends
Holidays extended in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
UK unemployment rate drops to 5%
The ONS estimated 1.7 million people were unemployed in January this year.
HMRC to accept bulk appeals for late tax return penalties
The process is available for a period of six months.
UK borrowing hits £19.1bn in February
Borrowing was £17.6 billion higher than the same period last year.
CBI: Extend kickstart scheme by six months
The scheme is due to end in December 2021.
February CJRS deadline reminder
Furlough claims must be made by today.
UK economy shrinks 2.9% in January, ONS reveals
The construction industry grew by 0.9% in January 2021.
Final business rates review to be published in Autumn
An interim report will be published on 23 March.
Many freelancers still struggling, warns IPSE
The grant will cover 80% of average trading profits up to £7,500.
HMRC publishes fourth SEISS grant details
Tax returns for 2019/20 will now be taken into account.