Three-quarters of South West firms were hit by the coronavirus pandemic in the first two weeks of March, according to a new survey which also shows the outbreak has triggered a marked fall in businesses confidence in the region. Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer – a monthly survey of more than 1,000 companies carried out...
The latest moves by the government to support businesses, including relaxing the insolvency laws and removing some red tape, have been given the thumbs up by the region’s largest business organisation. Business West described the measures, announced by Business Secretary Alok Sharma on Friday evening, as sensible steps that would help protect companies weakened...
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 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. ...
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...
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:...
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...
