A third of firms are worried about their business rates, according to the latest survey from the British Chamber of Commerce. The highest level since the survey began nine years ago…
A chunky 52% of firms say they plan to put up prices due to rising costs. Unsurprisingly, fears are highest in the hospitality sector (49%), followed by manufacturing at 44%. Meanwhile, Labour’s trailed U-turn on business rates for pubs is generating a significant backlash seeing as hotels, cafes, restaurants, and other hospitality sectors look set to be hung out to dry. Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy and Insights at the BCC, warned:
“While news of a carve out for pubs is welcome, there are many other smaller hospitality companies facing an existential threat. Meanwhile at the other end of the scale, airports and hotel chains are expected to pay millions more.”
U-turn when you have to…
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami sits down with Ross Kempsell for an exclusive interview on free trade, UK-India relations, and whether India would work with a Reform government. And more…
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Tensions have boiled over in Iran, with anti-government protesters turning out again in Tehran for the twelfth consecutive day last night. Crowds are calling for the removal of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, demanding the return of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late Shah. Citizens have so far risen up in at least 111 cities covering all of the country’s 31 provinces according to the UN and more than 2,000 arrests have been made…
The protests were triggered by the collapse of Iran’s currency, with the government attempting to brief that $7 monthly handouts will go to citizens to help with the crisis. Last night, Iran was plunged into an internet blackout by Iranian authorities. Unconfirmed reports say that government forces killed protesters in greater numbers last night, with at least 36 people killed since the start of the demonstrations. Protests on this scale and breadth can feasibly push the regime to a culmination point. Free Persia…
Labour Party Chairman Anna Turley is branding the government’s endless capacity for U-turns this morning as “the sign of a confident government.” Yesterday the Treasury capitulated to pressure and will water down business rate hikes for pubs to the tune of £300 million…
Turley’s brand new line, delivered to Sky News, is a corker:
“I don’t buy this as U-turns. This is actually about listening. And I think it’s a sign of a a government that actually in touch with people, that is listening to people and that is responding… I think listening to constituents isn’t being bullied or lobbied. That’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to represent the people that we live amongst. And and if a policy isn’t right, I think it’s a sign of a confident government that says, do you know what? We’ll step in. We’ll sort it out. We’ll make sure it works. We’ve seen governments in the past with real ideological bent that have pushed through changes in with crazy budgets that have been based on their own ideological madness that have hammered people’s mortgages and businesses.”
Challenged on Starmer’s unpopularity in the face of this “confidence,” Turley blamed the Tories:
“We inherited such a horrendous situation. I mean, everyone can look around them in their communities and see what the impact of 14 years of austerity is and their communities.”
Keep it up…
Guido will keep track of Labour’s black hole. It’s going to get bigger until – surprise – more taxes arrive at the Budget…
Whitehall departments are fighting over not having to absorb the mammoth Special Educational Needs costs as Phillipson pursues reforms in the area. Bloomberg reports this afternoon that Darren Jones is asking around to see if anyone will help stump up the cost of the Digital ID programme. Government insiders tell Guido there is a lot of squabbling among ministers over the policy as hires take place. Currently advertising internally in the Civil Service:
Constant U-turns damage Labour’s fiscal position too. Eyes on Pat McFadden as he attempts another go at welfare savings later in the year…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…