Business groups have welcomed the investment in infrastructure and jobs in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spending Review but said many firms still needed more help from the government. The CBI praised the Chancellor for making “some bold autumn decisions” to power a spring recovery even as the stark forecasts pointed to tough times ahead. But...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak this week delivered his much-anticipated Spending Review, outlining how the government will tackle the huge economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Among the main points were: The government is spending £280bn on tackling Covid-19 But the Chancellor says: “The economic damage is likely to be lasting.” Forecast for UK borrowing...
The government has been warned that it cannot “keep switching businesses on and off like a light switch” through Covid-19 related national lockdowns and regional tiers without expecting severe consequences. Instead, firms need a plan that keeps them, and the economy, open throughout winter and beyond, according to Business West, the organisation that runs...
Inspecs, the fast-growing Bath-based eyewear design house and manufacturer, is poised to double in size after conditionally agreeing to acquire a German firm for €94.85m (£84.78m). Inspecs said the takeover of Eschenbach Optik would represent a key strategic step in its expansion as a global, vertically-integrated eyewear firm. The deal would make Inspecs, which...
Bath will play a key role in a new West of England space hub set up to harness innovation in the industry and boost the region’s advanced engineering, tech and science sectors. Initial funding for the hub – one of seven across the UK – will come from the UK Space Agency to bring together...
An online tool to help businesses make sure they are ready for the employment implications of Brexit has been launched by the immigration team at Bath-headquartered national law firm Stone King. The free self-audit tool includes a short series of questions answered online. The instantly-generated results then indicate what action needs to be taken ahead...
Boosting skills and developing the physical and digital infrastructure will be vital for South West to build back better from the economic ravages of coronavirus, the CBI said in a major new report. Called Reviving Regions, the paper highlights long-standing regional inequalities across England which have inhibited growth, opportunity and productivity for generations. These economic disparities, both across...
Bath’s burgeoning business links with China are to be mapped for the first time in a major research project. The Bristol and Bath Chinese Ecosystem Analysis, which will be published next spring, will track all business, investment and academic connections between the area region and China, offering a definitive guide for years to come. ...
The introduction of two Covid Safety Officers to Bath’s streets this week has been welcomed by the organisation that brings together hundreds of city centre businesses. The uniformed offices are working with businesses to ensure they comply with current coronavirus regulations as well as encouraging and advising on social distancing by the public. The...
Businesses forced to close or significantly impacted by the latest coronavirus restrictions can now apply for government support grants from Bath & North East Somerset Council. The government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) Addendum (LRSG(C)A) supports businesses that had been open as usual, providing services in person to customers from their business premises, but...
