Businesses to be given option to waive requirements for GCSE Maths and English for new apprentices aged 19 and over as part of reforms to boost uptake for apprenticeships in key areas such as healthcare and construction. Changes, alongside reducing the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to … [Read more...]
News for: General Business News
Bidding opens for AI Growth Zones
The UK government has called on local and regional authorities to put themselves forward to bid to host AI Growth Zones and attract local private investment into AI infrastructure. The launch of AI Growth Zones follows the reveal in January 2025 of the government's AI Opportunities Action Plan, … [Read more...]
Bank of England cuts base rate to 4.5%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted in favour of cutting the bank's base interest rate to 4.5%. Economists on the bank's MPC were unanimous in calling for a cut in interest rates and voted 7-2 in favour of the 0.25 point decrease, with those voting against preferring a … [Read more...]
Government confirms April rise to National Living Wage
Over 3 million workers will receive a pay rise in April after the Government set out the legislation confirming a rising in the National Living Wage and other statutory minimum rates of pay announced in last year's Budget. The National Living Wage will rise 6.7% to £12.21 per hour, while the … [Read more...]
Handelsbanken research highlights self-assessment worries of the self-employed
More than 300,000 self-employed people have reported that they expected to miss the January 31st deadline for completing self-assessment tax returns and paying any money owed, new research from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management shows. Research came alongside the release of HMRC data … [Read more...]
UK businesses facing higher costs for cloud services due to lack of competition
An independent inquiry for the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has published findings of an investigation into the £9 billion cloud services market. The assessment has found that competition is not working as well as it could be, with UK businesses facing higher costs, less choice, less … [Read more...]
Greater Manchester business leaders react to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ speech on growth
Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared she would go 'further and faster' to deliver on the government's growth ambitions during a speech at Siemens' Healthineers in Oxfordshire on 29th January. In her speech, she outlined plans to review the government's Green Book guidance on appraising public … [Read more...]
Pension reforms to encourage funds to increase investment
The Government has announced reforms to occupational defined benefit pension schemes that are managed well that will enable funds to increase their investment in the wider economy. Proposals will see restrictions lifted on well-funded, occupational defined benefit pension funds that are … [Read more...]
Neonatal Leave to become a legal right
As part of a range of reforms to employment rights, Stockport HR consultancy, Cornerstone Resources, explains how businesses will be affected by new day one rights to neonatal care leave. UK Government has announced in January 2025 that Neonatal Leave will become a day one right. Subject to … [Read more...]
WH Smith in talks to sell high street business
National newsagents chain, WHSmith, has confirmed press speculation that it is in negotiations to sell its more than 500 branches on UK high streets. The chain, one of the UK's oldest major retail brands, revealed it is exploring potential strategic options for its high street stores, including a … [Read more...]
Employers in the North West “unprepared” for real-time benefits-in-kind reporting, warns Azets
Employers in the North West have less than 15 months to prepare for compulsory HMRC reporting on payroll expenses and benefits-in-kind, but many are unprepared, warns Lee Stott from the North West tax team at UK accountancy and advisory firm Azets. He said: “This is going to cause a serious … [Read more...]
MAG CEO named among members of new Visitor Economy Advisory Council
The CEO of Manchester Airports Group, Ken O'Toole, is among the tourism sector leaders who will sit on a new government taskforce aimed at spurring on growth in the £74 billion visitor economy. The Visitor Economy Advisory Council met for the first time on 20th January and to boost collaboration … [Read more...]