Business organisations have backed government help outlined last night to support the self-employed and sole traders affected by coronavirus, describing them as a lifeline for around 5m people. The measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured below, provide a grant worth 80% of profits up to a cap of £2,500 a month and are targeted...
Swindon’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are being urged to take part in a major survey to gauge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on industry. The resected quarterly Manufacturing Barometer – the largest survey of its type in England – has just gone live and is inviting companies to highlight the issues they are...
Swindon businesses needing up-to-date information, advice and guidance to help them trade in the current unprecedented market conditions are being encouraged to turn to a new web portal launched by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. Called Trading Through Coronavirus, it aims to help businesses navigate their way through the crisis by enabling...
National business organisations have welcomed the government’s drastic measures putting the country into virtual lockdown in a bid to combat the rapid spread of coronavirus. The CBI said the action presented “great challenges” while the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it made it even more vital that support for businesses was delivered quickly. ...
The South West TUC and Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, have jointly welcomed the latest government measures to tackle the economic and jobs crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. But in a joint statement they slammed the regional response as “too slow . . . fragmented and inconsistent” and called for further...
Pubs, cafes and restaurants must close down this evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a massive package of measures to support businesses and their workers. The government is to pay 80% of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month, Mr Sunak said. Companies and organisations...
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 0.1% – their lowest level ever – as it attempts to deal with the economic fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic. The move is the second emergency cut in just over a week prompted by the outbreak – last week the rate was reduced from 0.75%...
A training programme staged by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has been nominated alongside the likes of Apple and Google at a prestigious national awards scheme. Pathways to International Trade, which is in its sixth year, involves talented undergraduate students undergoing an intensive four-day training course in international trade and exporting before...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled an emergency £330bn package to support businesses during the coronavirus crisis. Mr Sunak, pictured, said the move was equivalent to 15% of the UK’s GDP and added that if demand was greater than the initial £330bn he would go further and provide as much capacity as required. Measures include:...
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...
