Archive for December 5th, 2013
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
During today’s autumn statement, Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced increases in business rates in England are to be capped at 2%, instead of being linked to inflation.
Business rates were set to rise by 3.2% next year, based on September’s Retail Prices Index measure of inflation. Mr Osborne said he planned to encourage small businesses on to High Streets by cutting £1,000 from their rates bill.
Firms will also be allowed to pay their rates in monthly instalments. The chancellor said the cap could save businesses up to £3,375.
The £1,000 discount will apply to retail premises, including pubs, cafes and restaurants, with a rateable value of up to £50,000 for two years. He also pledged help for the High Street by introducing a “reoccupation relief” – halving business rates for businesses moving into vacant premises.
In a separate move, the chancellor announced he would abolish employer National Insurance contributions for the under-21s from April 2015, with the exception of those earning more than £42,285.
Mr Osborne also promised to look at reforming the business rate system for 2017, a move many business lobby groups, including the BRC, have been calling for.
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died aged 95 at 20:50, local time, tonight Thursday 5th December 2013.
Mr Cameron said, “A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time.”
The Prime Minister also said that the flag above Number 10 Downing Street is currently flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Mr Mandela led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison. He had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital.
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
During today’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, announced the Conservative led coalition Government will freeze fuel duty until May 2015.
Mr Osborne had first floated the idea of helping motorists with petrol and diesel costs in September. Fuel duty will remain at 57.95 pence per litre, where it has been since March 2011.
The move comes after it was announced the tax disc, which shows motorists have paid vehicle excise duty, is to be replaced by an electronic system. The new system, expected to come into effect in October 2014, will allow people to pay the charge by monthly direct debit.
Mr Osborne said the move on fuel would “help those who drive a car”.
He said, “I said earlier this autumn that if we could find the money, I’d like to go on freezing duty. Today I can report that because we have taken difficult decisions to control the public finances, I can deliver on that promise.”
He also claimed the coalition government, which came into office in 2010, had reduced the cost of a tank full of fuel by £11 through a series of restrictions on the levy. The duty will now be frozen for the life of the current Parliament, until May 2015.
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher called on the Deputy Prime Minister to work with his colleagues in government to ensure that HS2 provides decent information and decent compensation to everyone affected as quickly as possible.
Mr Pincher said, “As you will know more than many, Mr Speaker, over the past three years, the leadership of HS2 has shown a lamentable failure to provide clear and consistent information to residents and businesses affected by phase 1 of its proposals. Today in my constituency, it is holding a roadshow to tell my constituents about phase 2 of its proposals.
“Will my right hon. Friend work with his colleagues in government to ensure that HS2 provides decent information and decent compensation to everyone affected as quickly as possible?
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, replied, “I know that the hon. Gentleman has strong views on this matter, not least because of how HS2 might affect his constituency, and of course I agree that not only should full compensation be available, as it will be, but that the right level of information should be provided.
“The phase 2 route consultation, which started in October, is due to end in January, and as part of that process, 36 information events will be held near the phase 2 route, including the one he alluded to in his constituency. Those are opportunities for people to make their views known.
“As he knows, however, I am a staunch supporter of HS2. It is an important part of the wider revamping and modernisation of our national infrastructure, about which the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will be speaking shortly.”
Click here to have your say in the HS2 phase 2 route consultation
During today’s autumn statement, Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced increases in business rates in England are to be capped at 2%, instead of being linked to inflation.
