Data shows ‘Tourist tax’ costs the UK £10.7bn in lost GDP & deters 2m tourists a year
The “tourist tax” is costing the UK £10.7bn in lost GDP and deterring two million tourists per year, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed. The economic consultancy found the extra sales generated by reinstating VAT-free shopping for tourists would outweigh losses associated with sales tax refunds by £2.3 billion in 2023. […]
What Could New South East Transport Strategy Mean for Gatwick Diamond Businesses?
Transport for the South East (TFSE) has laid out an ambitious Strategic Investment Plan that envisions a leading global region for sustainable economic growth and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This plan holds significant implications for businesses in the South East, promising new opportunities and challenges in equal measure. What will the plan achieve? […]
London Gatwick’s sustainable growth plans accepted for ‘examination’
London Gatwick’s planning application to bring the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway, has today (3 August) been accepted for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). The planning application – known as a Development Consent Order (DCO) - was submitted on 6 July and sets out the airport’s plans to make best […]
Ministers reveal increased tax relief for UK animated film production sector
The UK’s creative industry has grown at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade, making it an important sector for the government’s plan to grow the economy. The new tax changes announced in July are expected to be worth £5 million each year to business and come alongside […]
Goverment considers cutting planning ‘red tape’ to accelerate major infrastructure projects
The UK Government has unveiled a new plan to speed up the approval process for major infrastructure projects. The focus will be on developments in energy, transport, water and waste sectors – projects could include offshore wind farms, nuclear power stations, transport connections and waste facilities. The proposed changes aim to cut down bureaucratic red […]
Government to relax planning rules to create more city centre homes
The levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, says he wants to make it easier to convert empty retail premises and betting shops into flats and houses. It comes as Rishi Sunak insists his party will meet its commitment to building a million homes before the next election, expected in 2024. A report by the Commons housing […]
UK economy could receive £1 billion boost through trade digitalisation act
A new law allowing shipping containers to be traded using digital documents, not paper ones, has been created after the Electronic Trade Documents Act received Royal Assent. Existing laws dating back to the 1800s previously meant that exporters and importers have to use paper documents to transfer ownership of the goods they are shipping – […]
UK and Turkey to negotiate new trade deal
The UK and Turkish governments have announced plans to begin talks on an updated free trade agreement (FTA). The deal would replace the existing UK-Turkey FTA, which was rolled over from when the UK left the European Union and doesn’t cover key areas of the UK economy like services, digital and data. The UK is […]
GDB Educational Seminar: 25 August, 11am – 12pm
Penina Shepherd, Founder and CEO of Acumen Law, will be sharing the five most important legal tips to protect every business, followed by Ali Booth, Director of Ocean Breeze Wellbeing, who will explain how making simple changes in the workplace can improve absenteeism/attrition rates and reduce discrimination risks. The event will take place at East […]
Transform Leatherhead programme announces major milestone
In significant steps to progress several key Transform Leatherhead projects, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) Cabinet has approved a 50:50 joint venture partnership with Kier Property (to deliver redevelopment of Bull Hill and the Swan Centre), a new specialist developer for the Claire House and James House riverside site, and a brand new partnership with Surrey County […]