West of England business leaders have given many of the measures in today’s Budget a warm welcome – especially the previously-trailed furlough extension – but there was also concern over the delayed Corporation Tax increase. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said businesses would welcome the extension of the full range of...
The CBI said Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to hike Corporation Tax to 25% in one leap – the first increase since 1974 – would “cause a sharp intake of breath” for many businesses. It also warned that the move – which is planned to come into effect in 2023 – sent a worrying signal to those...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his Budget this afternoon. The main points are: No rise in VAT, income tax or national insurance Corporation tax to rise from 19% to 25% from 2023 but only 10% largest companies will pay, Chancellor claims ‘Super deduction’ in tax for companies that invest in innovation Eight ‘Freeports’ established to deliver ‘an unprecedented economic...
Brexit is causing the South West’s small and medium-sized manufacturers ‘significant disruption’ as they try to recover from the economic effects of Covid-19, according to the results of a new survey. The latest South West Manufacturing Barometer shows firms are being hit by more red tape, higher input prices and shortages of raw materials...
The next West of England mayor must show vision and ambition to spearhead the region’s Covid recovery and build a sustainable, long-term prosperity capable of matching London’s economic strength, according to the CBI. The business group this week launched its blueprint for the West of England’s future, which urges the winner of May 6’s...
Bath businesses will be able to learn how to boost their online overseas sales from successful women in eCommerce at a virtual conference next week. The free ‘Women in Global eCommerce’ event on Tuesday is being hosted by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in collaboration with Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber...
The South West’s largest business organisation has said many of its members will be “disappointed” with the government’s roadmap for taking England out of national lockdown. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons on Monday the onus was now on ministers...
A surge in sales of sex toys during the pandemic has resulted in retailer Lovehoney taking on an additional 70 staff at its Bath headquarters. The firm – which was launched, appropriately, from a bedroom in the city in 2002 – has enjoyed a whopping 200% sales boost in many of its overseas markets...
The vice-chancellors of both of Bath’s universities and the principal of its main college have joined business leaders from across the West of England in backing the creation of a ‘free port’ in the region. Prof Ian White and Prof Sue Rigby of the University of Bath and Bath Spa University respectively and Laurel...
Bath-based spectacles designer and manufacturer Inspecs has launched its own sustainable range in what it has described as a massive step forward for its industry. The collection, called Botaniq, has been designed by the firm’s in-house technical experts using biodegradable natural, recycled and recyclable material in direct response to consumer demand for sustainable products....
