National Insurance
This coverage explores the impact of National Insurance policies and changes on the UK retail sector, focusing on employer contributions, payroll costs, regulatory compliance, and workforce planning. Reporting highlights how retailers adjust strategies to manage costs and meet obligations — providing insight for executives, managers, and HR professionals overseeing financial and operational planning.
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-31/10/24
The UK retail industry has raised concerns following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, which aims to generate £40bn through measures like a rise in employers’ National Insurance to 15% and hikes in minimum wage rates. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the new measures, which will add over…
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31 OctoberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail warns that higher costs will hamper investment
The retail industry has warned that increased costs following the Autumn Budget may hit businesses hard, with retailers facing higher costs amid new measures that come into place next April, with some warning the sector will face over £2.5bn in new costs in 2025.Yesterday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series…
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30 OctoberEconomy
Budget: Increases to employers’ NI and minimum wage
The chancellor Rachel Reeves has increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions in a bid to help raise as much as £40bn in taxes, pledging to also boost long-term growth and “mark an end to short term-ism” as part of Labour’s first budget since it came into power. Employers’ national insurance contributions…
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23 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-23/10/24
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering imposing higher taxes on Amazon as part of a broader effort to support British high streets, which have been struggling to compete with online giants. The proposed measures could come after her upcoming autumn budget, which is expected to introduce tax hikes and spending…
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23 OctoberEconomy
M&S boss calls tax rises ‘the easy way out’ ahead of budget
M&S CEO Stuart Machin has accused chancellor Rachel Reeves of “taking the easy way out” amid reports she is considering a slew of tax increases in the budget. In an open letter written in The Times, Machin stated that he hoped reports of an increase in employer national insurance contributions…
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Sep- 2024 -27 SeptemberNews
Amazon UK pays corporation tax for first time since 2020
Amazon’s main UK division has paid corporation tax for the first time since 2020 following the end of a ‘super-deduction’ tax break, The Guardian has reported. The group’s UK services paid £18.7m in “current tax” last year on sales of £27bn. This marks a shift from the £7.8m tax credit…
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May- 2024 -24 MayEconomy
Retail sales slump 2.3% in April amid wet weather
Retail sales fell by 2.3% in volume over April, following a fall of 0.2% in March, as the retail sector was hampered by ongoing wet weather over the period. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes were down across most sectors, with non-food stores particularly “doing badly” as…
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Mar- 2024 -7 MarchEconomy
Budget will ‘do nothing to turbocharge investment’, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stated that the latest Budget announcement will “do nothing to turbocharge investment and growth in communities”. This comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed his Spring Budget without many big giveaways for retail businesses. Hunt resisted calls from business leaders to reduce business rates, reintroduce…
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6 MarchEconomy
Chancellor cuts NI by a further 2p as part of Spring Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a further 2p cut to National Insurance, falling from 10% to 8% from 6 April, as part of his Spring Budget for “long-term growth”. The reduction in National Insurance is expected to save the average worker £450 a year, or £350 for those who are…
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5 MarchFeatures
What are the effects of VAT taxes on the tourism industry?
The term “tourism tax” has recently been used to refer to taxes imposed on goods and services supplied to international tourists. Up until 31 December 2020, VAT-free shopping enabled international visitors in the UK to get a VAT refund on goods purchased in the UK, making them 20% cheaper. Recently,…
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