Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spending commitments on major infrastructure projects received the thumbs up from the region’s industry – but the fact that the West of England was again overlooked in favour of the ‘powerhouses’ of the North and Midlands did not go unnoticed. Tim Davis, head of property agents Cushman & Wakefield’s South West...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s response to the coronavirus crisis in his Budget – but warned that its commitment to funding big-scale ‘levelling-up’ infrastructure projects through borrowing could unravel if the economy goes into recession. Managing director Phil Smith, pictured, said a strong statement of intent from...
The CBI described Rishi Sunak’s first Budget as “bold” in combining the much-needed immediate response to the coronavirus crisis with longer-term measures to boost the economy. Director-general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, pictured, said the Chancellor had worked against the clock in deeply challenging times to deliver two Budgets in one – the first for national...
Key points from the 2020 Budget so far . . . Growth forecasts updated to 1.4% for 2020 and 1.6% for 2021 Planned rise in alcohol duties cancelled Fuel duty frozen Government to abolish business rates for small shops this year levy on electricity frozen and increased on gas Tax on plastic packaging to...
Key points from Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s first Budget . . . Chancellor started speaking at 12:35pm He says public services are well prepared to tackle coronavirus There is likely to be a "significant" impact on the UK economy but it will return to normal There will be a funding "bridge" for business to help...
Bath Spa University has officially opened its new Locksbrook Campus – with actor Jeremy Irons joining students, staff and alumni to perform the honours in his role as chancellor. The riverside building, which welcomed its first students last October, is the culmination of a major restoration project which has re-purposed and remodelled the former...
Bath-based organisations are being offered a unique opportunity to support their aspiring leaders through a pioneering leadership development programme designed by the city, for the city. Now in its fifth consecutive year, Bath Bridge aims to make the city a more dynamic place to live and work through a world-class programme for its future...
Efforts to boost business productivity and increase innovation among West of England manufacturers have been highlighted by the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) at its AGM. The meeting, which went under the banner of ‘Our West, Our Future’, heard how the LEP is now delivering its Local Industrial Strategy to spur clean growth that will benefit...
With less than a month to go until nominations close, Bath area directors are being urged to enter one of the South West’s top award schemes recognising excellence and enterprise. The Institute of Directors’ (IoD) South West Director of the Year Awards 2020 aim to champion the region’s outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs. The awards, which...
The showpiece Chocolate Quarter retirement village at Keynsham is to be expanded following the acquisition of a further half an acre by developer St Monica Trust. The scheme, on the former Cadbury factory at Somerdale, will add around 36 more retirement apartments to the village. The brownfield land was bought by Bristol-based St Monica...
