Business

Claims for multibillion-pound business tax incentives are more likely to be non-compliant when submitted with the assistance of specialist agents, according to an official review by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). An inquiry into research and development (R&D) tax credits—schemes intended to encourage innovation but undermined by fraud and error—found that behaviour among some agents was “clearly not acceptable”. In its review of incentives for business innovation, HMRC estimated that fraud and error in these...

Donald Trump’s proposals to impose hefty tariffs on goods entering the United States could deliver a £20 billion blow to the British economy, analysts have warned. The President-elect’s plan to levy a 60% tariff on Chinese products sold to American businesses, alongside a 20% tariff on all other imports, “poses challenges” for the UK government, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The CEBR estimates that such measures, if implemented without retaliation,...

Female board members at FTSE 100 companies are paid 69% less than their male counterparts, underscoring the persistent gender pay gap at the highest levels of British business. According to research by Fox & Partners, the employment and partnership law specialists, women in board roles took home an average of £335,953 last year, compared with £1,073,445 for men. While this marks a slight improvement from a 70% gap in 2022, it remains significantly wider than...

FXGiants has taken a strategic step to widen its trading portfolio by adding over 300 assets, giving clients more financial instruments to interact with. This addition includes forex pairs, commodities, metals, indices, shares, and the notable addition of futures CFDs. The extended index is intended to cover the changing requirements of traders who seek to broaden their CFD trading portfolios and tailor strategies according to their market objectives. The incorporation of futures CFDs is a...

London-based tech firm Goodstack has secured £22 million in venture capital funding, positioning it to facilitate £2.4 billion in employee donations to good causes this year. The company, whose platform is utilised by major corporations such as HSBC, LinkedIn, and design software firm Canva, has been quietly investing the capital raised from San Francisco-based General Catalyst and other investors to achieve its ambitious goal. Founded in 2015 by university friends Henry Ludlam, 33, and Stefan...

The government has outlined contingency measures to ensure supermarket shelves remain stocked amid potential farmer protests over inheritance tax reforms. However, ministers reassured the public that food supplies will not be disrupted, even as tensions rise within the agricultural community. Farming leaders have warned of deep unrest, labelling the policy change a “betrayal” of rural communities. They stopped short of endorsing strike action but acknowledged mounting frustration over the government’s decision to impose inheritance tax...

Asking prices for homes in the UK dropped sharply in November, with the average price of newly listed properties falling 1.4 per cent to £366,592, according to Rightmove. The decline, which exceeds the long-term November average of 0.8 per cent, comes as “pre-budget jitters turned into post-budget disappointment” following stamp duty hikes and a lack of support for first-time buyers. The downturn was most pronounced in the “top-of-the-ladder” segment, with prices for larger homes such...

Evri, the UK’s third-largest parcel delivery company, has more than doubled its annual pre-tax profits, achieving £119 million for the 53 weeks ending February. The surge follows a “record year” for deliveries, with parcel volumes up 14.9 per cent to over 730 million, buoyed by a £32 million investment in customer service and rising demand for online second-hand goods. The company, formerly known as Hermes, saw revenues climb 15.2 per cent to £1.7 billion, while...

In today’s competitive marketplace, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must find innovative ways to connect with their customers. One such strategy gaining momentum is gamification—integrating game-like elements into non-gaming environments to drive engagement. Inspired by the success of industries like online gaming, where platforms like High Roller have mastered the art of captivating user experiences, SMEs can use similar techniques to build stronger relationships with their customers. Here’s how gamification can transform customer engagement for SMEs...

Understanding the regulations surrounding online gambling is essential for a good gaming experience in the UK. Learn more on how Hong Kong expats can navigate these regulations to avoid risks and stay safe when playing casino games online. The UK’s gambling industry is one of the largest in Europe and the world – according to a report by Euronews, the country is now second on the list of top online gambling nations in 2024. It...