Bristol’s financial services sector was on the whole encouraged by the Budget – but with some reservations. Karen Kirkwood, regional head of tax for accountants EY, pictured, described it as a ‘tales of the unexpected’ speech but said Philip Hammond had been careful to make sure he had enough...
2018 growth forecast upgraded from 1.3% to 1.6% Budget deficit forecast for 2018/19 fiscal year cut to £25.5bn from £37.1bn forecast in March A ‘tech tax’ on revenues of tech giants from 2020, subject to further international discussions Annual Investment Allowance increased from £200,000 to £1m for two years...
The Chancellor’s attempts to help the high street and the solve the housing crisis were welcomed by Bristol property market leaders – but they agreed that he needed to do more. Tim Davis, head of global property services firm Cushman & Wakefield’s Bristol office, pictured, was pleased with the...
Business West director of policy Matt Griffith described the Budget as pro-business in which the Chancellor “reaffirmed his commitment to providing stimuli in the right places”. “Businesses will welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to housing, particularly with the Housing Infrastructure Fund,” said Mr Griffith, pictured. “The spiralling cost of housing...
CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn looked to Halloween for inspiration for her reaction, saying Philip Hammond brought “more treats than tricks for business” in today’s Budget. “It recognises the enormous contribution enterprise has made to balancing the UK’s books through jobs, pay and tax and responds to many of the...
Chancellor Philip Hammond started his speech at 3.33pm and finished at 4.43pm. He open by saying he will deliver a Budget for “hard-working families … who live their lives far from this place … and care little for the twists and turns of Westminster politics”. Chancellor says the era...
Investment in Bristol’s commercial property market has soared by 47% this year, with Saudi Arabia the largest foreign investor. Investors, both domestic and from overseas, have acquired commercial properties worth £975m so far this year against £663m for the January to September period last year, according to latest research...
Increasing competition, rather than Brexit, is the biggest challenge facing the West’s law firms, according to new research by accountancy group Smith & Williamson. Its 2018 Law Firm Survey, developed in association with The Lawyer, reveals that negotiating the competitive landscape remains the top priority as opposed to the UK’s impending exit from the EU. Some...
The Bristol office of accountancy, tax and investment management group Smith & Williamson welcomed hundreds of art lovers to a reception to mark the opening of the Royal West of England Academy’s Annual Open Exhibition. Now in its 166th year, the exhibition takes submissions from artists at any stage of their...
Business West, the region’s largest business support group, has launched a free up-to-the minute advice and guidance service to help firms get ready for life after Brexit. Called Trading Through Brexit, it aims to help businesses start planning for the period up to and after the UK leaves the...
Chancellor Philip Hammond has been urged to introduce measures that will boost the West of England’s economy in his Budget on Monday, including accelerating housebuilding and investing in infrastructure. Brexit will loom large over the Chancellor’s presentation. Mr Hammond, pictured, will present the first Budget on a Monday since...
Annual turnover at Portbury-based Astron Fire & Security is set to increase by 25% after it won a contract linked to the £18bn Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant project now underway in Somerset. Under the deal family-run Astron will install fire extinguishers and CCTV cameras to the on-site...
West of England metro mayor Tim Bowles is today leading calls for the government to devolve more spending to the regions after Brexit as he hosts a summit of regional mayors in Bristol. The mayors will call on the government to fully-fund and devolve the Shared Prosperity Fund, which...
