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The UK government is committed to kickstarting the nation’s economic growth, but recently released trade figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) indicate a substantial journey ahead, according to leading audit, tax, and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

Simon Sutcliffe, Customs & Excise Duty Partner at the firm, commented: “Trade statistics for 2023, published by HMRC yesterday, show that the UK remains a predominantly service-based economy in international trade, with imports and exports of services dwarfing the movement of goods. The total value of exported services in 2023 stood at £187 billion, whereas imports of services were £423 billion.”

He added: “In some notable industries, the exports by sector exceed imports in value. Importantly, the main industries where imports exceed exports are agriculture and food, and the oil, energy, and petroleum sectors. This may feed opposition claims that the UK remains food and energy insecure.”

Sutcliffe continued: “Although reducing import rates in the agriculture and food, and oil, energy, and petroleum sectors is important both politically and economically, the services sector remains crucial to delivering economic growth. Hopefully, the government will give sufficient focus in future trade deals to matters affecting this part of the economy, such as regulatory frameworks, common standards, and access to talent and skills.”

He highlighted that the United States and China, aside from the EU bloc countries, remain the UK’s largest individual trading partners. “The US is the largest export market at £57.7 billion and import market at £63.3 billion for goods and services. The US is closely followed by China, with an export value of £27.3 billion and imports at £62.2 billion,” he said.

Sutcliffe noted that this situation puts pressure on the Prime Minister over how to handle trade policies with these major economies.

He added: “The EU exports to the UK are valued at £189.1 billion, whereas imports are valued at £326 billion. This is one of the largest trade imbalances in the report and perhaps indicates the struggle that UK businesses, whose sole overseas marketplace prior to Brexit was the EU, have faced post-Brexit in dealing with new administrative and customs burdens that have impacted how and with whom they do business in the EU.”

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Trade figures reveal UK’s challenge to boost economic growth

The UK’s Gambling Commission is preparing to settle a £200 million legal claim from media mogul Richard Desmond regarding the awarding of the National Lottery licence, aiming to resolve a dispute that has hindered technological upgrades.

The UK’s gambling regulator is reportedly moving to settle a £200 million damages claim filed by media tycoon Richard Desmond over the operation of the National Lottery. The Gambling Commission has requested a mediation meeting with Mr Desmond’s company, Northern & Shell, proposing an out-of-court resolution to the legal dispute. This meeting is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

While the settlement aims to address the substantial claim, it is believed that the final agreement may not reach the full £200 million initially sought by Mr Desmond.

The decision to pursue a settlement stems from growing concerns that the ongoing legal battle is complicating efforts to upgrade the technology systems that underpin the National Lottery, which is the UK’s largest distributor of charitable funds.

Mr Desmond initiated a High Court challenge after the Gambling Commission awarded the fourth National Lottery licence to Czech operator Allwyn, bypassing bids from Northern & Shell and the incumbent operator, Camelot, which had managed the lottery since its inception in 1994.

Allwyn, controlled by billionaire gas magnate Karel Komárek, assumed control of the lottery in February. However, its tenure has faced difficulties, including delays in transitioning to a new technology provider. The company’s plan to introduce a new IT system has been repeatedly postponed, with further delays anticipated.

This technological overhaul is critical to Allwyn’s strategy to launch new games and double the lottery’s contributions to good causes from £17 billion to £34 billion over the 10-year licence period.

It is understood that the Gambling Commission’s eagerness to settle is partly due to expectations that the IT upgrade deadline will need to be extended again. Officials are reportedly reluctant to grant another extension while Mr Desmond’s legal action is pending, fearing it could strengthen his claim that awarding the licence to Allwyn was a mistake and that the auction process was flawed.

In February, Northern & Shell filed a procurement lawsuit against the Gambling Commission over its decision. During a High Court hearing in June, the company described the licensing process as “seriously flawed,” accusing the Commission of giving “unfairly favourable treatment to Allwyn.” Mr Desmond has previously questioned Allwyn’s suitability, stating they have “no experience in the UK.”

Industry experts suggest that Allwyn’s new systems should have been operational when it took over the licence. Robert Chvátal, Allwyn’s chief executive, had warned of potential delays even before the transition. The company missed its summer deadline and is now reportedly targeting February 2025, though insiders believe this may be further postponed, potentially impacting donations to good causes.

Allwyn has attributed some setbacks to a legal dispute with the former IT provider, International Game Technology (IGT). Although IGT’s legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court in 2023, the company continued to seek damages until January of this year.

Extended delays may hinder Allwyn’s ability to meet its ambitious fundraising goals. The company is already falling short of sales projections, with turnover expected to be significantly less than the £8.2 billion achieved by Camelot in its final year.

The National Lottery remains one of the UK’s most lucrative public sector contracts and its largest source of funding for sports, heritage, and charitable causes across the country.

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission stated: “In accordance with the order of the court, at all stages the parties must consider settling this litigation by any means of alternative dispute resolution. Naturally, the Commission will continue to have regard to those requirements.”

An Allwyn representative commented: “We are investing more than £350 million in the biggest technology upgrade in the National Lottery’s history, and we are working towards switching over from the existing legacy systems to our new modern platform. Once it is live, we will be able to transform the way customers play the National Lottery and, crucially, drive even more returns to good causes.”

A spokesperson for Mr Desmond declined to comment.

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Gambling Commission seeks settlement with Richard Desmond over £200m lottery licence dispute

Conservative MP calls for increased investment in technology to reduce reliance on low-paid migrant workers, highlighting automation as a means to boost efficiency and lower net migration.

Businesses should adopt more automation technologies instead of hiring low-paid migrant workers, according to Conservative MP Chris Philp. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Philp emphasised the need for increased use of robots and automated systems in industries to reduce the UK’s net migration figures.

“Other countries use a lot more automation for tasks such as picking fruit and vegetables, rather than simply importing a lot of low-wage migrant labour,” Philp said. He pointed to examples like Australia and New Zealand, where robotic fruit and vegetable picking equipment is being implemented. He also noted that South Korea utilises nine times the number of robots in manufacturing processes compared to the UK.

“In America, they use a lot more modular construction, which is much faster and much more efficient,” he added. “There’s a lot British industry can do to grow without needing to import large numbers of low-wage migrants.”

At a recent press conference, senior Conservative figures acknowledged past shortcomings on immigration policy. Kemi Badenoch, a leading Conservative MP, promised a review of “every policy, treaty and part of our legal framework,” including the role of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act.

While Badenoch committed to a “strict numerical cap” on migration and said the Conservatives would “explain how you get to those numbers,” she did not commit to restoring the Rwanda scheme that was previously scrapped. Philp, however, called for the scheme to be reinstated, stating that it had been “cancelled before it even started.”

When questioned about reports that ministers had considered using a giant wave machine to deter Channel crossings, Philp responded: “I don’t recall ever having seriously looked at that idea. I can’t remember if someone else did.”

Philp declined to specify a figure for the proposed migration cap but suggested that net migration figures of 350,000 would be “much too high.” He stressed the importance of determining “exactly how many high-skilled, high-wage people we need,” and addressing concerns over degree courses being used “as a sort of parallel migration system.”

He added that the Conservative Party would examine migrants’ eligibility for benefits among other measures to reduce net migration.

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Businesses urged to embrace automation over low-wage migrant labour

UK consumer and business confidence declines as Labour’s tax-raising budget sparks concerns over hiring, rising costs, and economic growth prospects.

UK consumers and businesses have grown more pessimistic about the state of the economy following Labour’s tax-raising budget, which has triggered concerns over hiring and escalating costs.

Recent surveys indicate a decline in confidence among British households and the vital services sector this month, undermining the government’s ambitions to permanently elevate economic growth to the highest in the G7 over the next five years.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), a survey conducted this month found that more households are worried about the economy than before the budget announcement. The uncertainty has led households to maintain steady spending levels in November compared with October, despite the approach of Christmas, with only a marginal improvement in their personal financial situations post-budget.

In a separate survey assessing confidence among service-sector businesses—which constitute about three-quarters of the economy—there was the sharpest drop in optimism in two years over the three months to November, interrupting a nine-month trend of improving sentiment.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which conducted the survey, reported that services firms are grappling with elevated wage costs, a situation likely to worsen after the government’s decision to raise employers’ national insurance contributions from April, expected to generate £16 billion to £20 billion annually.

Alpesh Paleja, the CBI’s interim deputy chief economist, remarked that the data does not present “a pretty picture,” adding: “Falling sentiment, weaker hiring intentions, and firming cost pressures are all at least a partial response to the forthcoming rise in employer national insurance contributions.”

Recent indicators of economic sentiment have dipped following the government’s £40 billion tax-raising budget and warnings of “tough choices” for public finances. Official data showed a 0.7 per cent decline in retail sales in October, ahead of the budget.

The BRC’s survey revealed a two-point decline in household sentiment regarding the state of the economy, down to minus 19. Consumers reported only a one-point improvement in their personal financial situation between October and November, while overall savings intentions and spending remained unchanged.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, stated that the retail industry faces a £7 billion rise in costs due to the national insurance increase, leaving the sector “little choice but to raise prices or reduce investment in jobs and shops.”

“To mitigate this, the government must ensure that changes to the business rates system, planned for 2026, bring about a meaningful reduction in bills for all retailers,” she said.

The national insurance rise could derail the steady recovery in hiring reported in the private sector this year, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Its latest survey showed an improvement in economic sentiment in the three months to October and a surge in employers’ confidence in hiring decisions last month.

“The scale of the changes to employers’ national insurance—in particular, the decision to increase the tax far more for lower earners—will be a headwind for hiring confidence from here on in,” said Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC. “The Chancellor has balanced the books on the backs of businesses across the country; now she needs to deliver on support for growth.”

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Labour’s tax hikes dampen UK consumer and business confidence

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reported that UK drivers are still paying more for fuel than they should because of “stubbornly high” retail margins.

The watchdog expressed concerns over weakened competition in the fuel sector, leading to inflated prices at the pump.

According to the CMA, fuel margins remain higher than historical levels. Supermarket fuel margins increased from 7% in April to 8.1% in August, while non-supermarket fuel margins rose from 7.8% to 10.2% during the same period. The sustained increase suggests that competition in the road fuel retail market remains weak.

Dan Turnbull, Senior Director of Markets at the CMA, stated: “While fuel prices have fallen since July, drivers are paying more for fuel than they should be as they continue to be squeezed by stubbornly high fuel margins. We therefore remain concerned about weak competition in the sector and the impact on pump prices.

“With that in mind, we are pleased the government is progressing with our recommendations. These measures will empower drivers to find the cheapest fuel wherever they are in the UK, increase competition and support the economy. The more people save on fuel, the more they have to spend in other areas.”

The CMA noted that fuel prices fell from June to October, driven by global factors such as crude oil costs. Average petrol and diesel prices at the end of October were 134.4p and 139.7p per litre, respectively—a decrease of 10.0p and 10.4p.

However, the retail spread—the difference between the price drivers pay at the pump and the benchmark price retailers pay for fuel—remains above the long-term average of 5p to 10p per litre. From July to October, petrol averaged 14.9p per litre above the benchmark, while diesel averaged 16.3p per litre. This indicates a continued lack of competition in the sector since retail spreads have remained elevated since 2020.

Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, commented: “It’s disappointing to hear that the CMA is still concerned about competition among fuel retailers and that margins remain higher than historic levels, especially after it announced this summer that drivers were overcharged by £1.6 billion in 2023.

“We hope the introduction of the government-backed fuel-finder scheme next year will succeed in driving greater competition and enable drivers all around the UK to benefit from fairer prices. In the meantime, cost-conscious drivers can download the free myRAC app and use it to find the cheapest fuel near them.”

The CMA’s concerns come as drivers continue to feel the pinch of higher living costs. The upcoming fuel-finder scheme, supported by the government, aims to increase transparency in fuel pricing and promote competition among retailers, ultimately benefiting consumers.

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Drivers Paying Too Much for Fuel Due to High Retail Margins, Says CMA

First-time homebuyers in some of the UK’s most expensive areas are hurrying to finalise property purchases before April 1, when stamp duty costs are set to rise by an average of £6,300, according to new data from Rightmove.

Demand for homes among first-time buyers in London has increased by 3 percentage points since the recent budget announcement, with many expressing a strong interest in completing transactions by March 31.

From April 1, the stamp duty exemption threshold for first-time buyers will decrease from £425,000 to £300,000. This change means that properties priced above £300,000 will incur stamp duty costs, disproportionately affecting buyers in London, the East of England, and the Southeast, where property prices are highest. Rightmove reports that only 8% of homes in London will remain stamp duty-free for first-time buyers after the change, compared to 32% in the East and 24% in the Southeast. In contrast, 73% of homes in the Northeast will still be exempt.

Property consultancy Savills estimates that the average first-time buyer in London will see stamp duty costs increase from £2,752 to £9,002, an additional £6,250. Despite the urgency, the average property transaction takes about five months (151 days) to complete, leaving little time for new buyers to finalize purchases before the April deadline, given there are only 124 days until the changes take effect.

Past stamp duty changes have led to surges in property transactions as buyers rush to meet deadlines. Research by Savills during the 2021 stamp duty holiday showed that sales leapt from 143,460 in February to 177,300 in March ahead of a March 31 deadline. Similarly, just before the extended deadline on July 1, purchases jumped from 114,800 to 204,370 in June. However, agents have noted that such rushes can lead to buyers overpaying for properties, sometimes negating the stamp duty savings.

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First-time buyers rush to complete purchases ahead of stamp duty increase

Car production in the UK has fallen for the eighth straight month, intensifying pressure on the automotive industry as it navigates the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).

According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), manufacturing output declined by 15.3% in October, producing 77,484 units. This drop leaves the total output down by 10% so far this year.

The downturn comes amid market turmoil following Stellantis—the parent company of Vauxhall—announcing plans to close its van-making plant in Luton, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk. The company cited the UK government’s stringent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate as a contributing factor.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, expressed deep concern over the industry’s future. “These are deeply concerning times for the automotive industry, with massive investments in plants and new zero-emission products under intense pressure,” he said.

Hawes highlighted that the slowdown in the global market, especially for EVs, has significantly impacted production. He noted that the UK is particularly exposed due to having “arguably the toughest targets and most accelerated timeline but without the consumer incentives necessary to drive demand.”

On Tuesday, Stellantis announced plans to consolidate its UK van manufacturing operations by creating an all-electric hub at its Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, investing £50 million in the facility. The decision aims to streamline production and focus on electric vehicle manufacturing in response to the ZEV mandate.

The ZEV mandate requires that at least 22% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, with the level increasing annually. Stellantis stated that the decision to close the Luton plant was made within the context of these “stringent” regulations.

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, told Members of Parliament that ministers had done “everything we possibly” could to prevent the closure of the Luton plant. He also confirmed plans to review the ZEV mandate as part of a consultation on the government’s plan to ban the sale of new “purely petrol and diesel” cars by 2030.

Liam Byrne, Chairman of the Business Select Committee, wrote to Reynolds with a series of questions regarding support for local communities affected by the closure and measures to boost consumer demand for electric vehicles—a concern echoed by several car manufacturers.

The SMMT’s latest figures reveal that the production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid electric cars fell by a third in October. The 24,719 units produced represented 31.9% of the total output.

Overall, production volumes for both domestic and export markets declined in October, down 4.7% and 17.6%, respectively. Notably, eight out of ten cars manufactured in the UK are shipped abroad.

Mike Hawes emphasized the challenges of stimulating demand and meeting regulatory targets, stating: “The cost of stimulating that demand and complying with those targets is huge and, as we are seeing, unsustainable. Urgent action is therefore needed, and we will work with government on its rapid review of the regulation and the development of an ambitious and comprehensive industrial strategy to assure our competitiveness.”

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UK car production declines for eighth consecutive month amid EV transition challenges

The number of Britons using X, formerly known as Twitter, has plummeted since Elon Musk’scontroversial takeover two years ago.

A new report by Ofcom reveals that UK adults visiting the platform’s app or website dropped from 26.5 million in 2022 to 22.2 million in 2023, reflecting a significant exodus.

The findings from Ofcom’s annual Online Nation report suggest growing dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership, particularly among Left-leaning users disillusioned by his political affiliations and policy changes.

Musk’s outspoken support for Donald Trump, including his endorsement of Trump’s presidential candidacy and hundreds of promotional posts to his 200 million followers, has provoked criticism from UK users. Musk has also waded into UK politics, labelling the country a “tyrannical police state” and warning of a potential “civil war.”

His decision to reinstate banned accounts, including far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins, and his “light-touch” moderation approach, has further alienated users. Critics argue that these policies have allowed hate speech to proliferate on the platform.

Additionally, Musk’s emphasis on paid subscriptions—such as boosting posts from verified users who pay a monthly fee—has drawn backlash, with many accusing him of eroding the platform’s accessibility and user experience.

Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, attributed part of the decline to Musk’s rebranding of Twitter to X:

“The redesigns and the rebranding including the switch from Twitter to X have also played a role. It broke its cultural currency. Stripping that away left many users disconnected.”

Competition from rival platforms has intensified. Reddit saw UK usage jump by 47%, attracting 22.9 million visitors as of May 2023. Threads, the microblogging platform launched by Meta, now boasts 5.3 million UK users and has gained 35 million users globally since November. Bluesky, another competitor, added 7 million accounts in under a month following Trump’s re-election campaign.

x’s demographic shift and further challenges

X remains more popular among men, who make up 63% of its UK user base. However, daily active users of the platform’s app have dropped significantly, from 6.9 million in November 2022 to 5.2 million in November 2023, according to data from Similarweb.

In contrast, platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram maintain their dominance as the top three social media services by reach in the UK. Meanwhile, TikTok has experienced a 13% growth, reaching 24 million UK users.

Ofcom concluded: “Although X remains the highest-reaching micro-blogging service, its UK adult reach continues to gradually decline.”

With competitors like Threads, Bluesky, and TikTok capturing disillusioned users, X faces increasing pressure to retain relevance. The platform’s controversial political affiliations, policy changes, and brand overhaul may continue to erode its user base unless strategic changes are made to restore trust and engagement.

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Millions of Britons abandon X amid backlash against Elon Musk’s leadership

A new House of Lords report calls for a reimagining of UK high streets, emphasising the need to move beyond traditional retail to include more restaurants, leisure activities, and public services.

The decline of retail dominance on UK high streets has become increasingly evident, with over 10,000 store closures in 2023 alone. Communities have witnessed the loss of local department stores, pharmacies, clothing shops, pubs, and banks, leaving many town centres struggling to attract visitors.

According to the report titled “High Streets: Life Beyond Retail?” published by the cross-party House of Lords Built Environment Committee, there is a pressing need for high streets to offer a wider variety of services. This includes not only shopping but also dining, leisure activities, health centres, and libraries.

Lord Moylan, Chairman of the Built Environment Committee, stated: “Local high streets are places where generations have shopped, socialised, and worked. Many of them are in decline, and to reverse this they need to look beyond being simply a destination for shoppers.”

The report emphasises that local authorities, communities, and businesses must collaborate to create adaptable and resilient high streets that reflect local needs. A fixed, one-size-fits-all approach should be avoided in favour of flexible strategies that can evolve over time.

Key findings and recommendations include:

Implement a ‘town centre first’ policy: Ensure new public services like libraries, diagnostic centres, and local government buildings are established on high streets.
Appoint town centre managers: Each local authority should have an active manager to support high street development and share best practices nationwide.
Enhance accessibility: Improve public transport connectivity and provide sufficient parking to make high streets easily accessible by both car and public transport.
Create welcoming public spaces: Incorporate green spaces and areas where people, especially young people, can socialise without spending money.
Improve safety measures: Address concerns by enhancing street lighting, ensuring clear sightlines, and promoting a mix of uses that keep areas lively into the night.
Support local markets: Recognise the role of markets in boosting footfall and contributing to the unique character of towns and cities.
addressing challenges and future strategies

The Committee notes that previous government efforts to revive high streets were not well-coordinated. It urges the new government to implement local growth funding reforms that enable high streets to flourish in the long term and ensure those responsible have the expertise to deliver improvements.

The report also welcomes the announcement of plans to review the Business Rates system, acknowledging that taxation, funding, and the planning system significantly impact high street regeneration. It criticises the current model of local authorities bidding for central funding as expensive and wasteful, advocating for a more transparent funding distribution system.

Lord Moylan added: “Delivering a successful and sustainable high street often involves a local leader who motivates teams from the public and private sectors to use their imagination to breathe new life into their high street. Decision-makers shouldn’t be afraid of trying new things but should be mindful of the quality of what is delivered, as only well-designed and built spaces will stand the test of time.”

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Lords report urges shift beyond retail to revitalise UK high streets

For the small business owner who is in need of reliable transport, and at the same time, wants to manage their finances, expanding a vehicle fleet can be a daunting task.

Fortunately, options like Hire Purchase financing with CarMoney are a sensible and strategic solution for these problems. This is a good way for businesses to grow using structured payment plans and ownership benefits.

What Is Hire Purchase?

Companies can buy cars in installments through a financing strategy called Hire Purchase, or HP for short. When all payments are fulfilled, HP agreements offer businesses complete ownership of the assets, unlike leasing, which merely grants the lessor ownership. This approach can serve as a tempting option for companies who want to increase the fleet’s long-term value.

Benefits of Hire Purchase for Small Businesses

Predictable Monthly Costs

The predictable payment structure of Hire Purchase agreements is one of their greatest advantages. This helps business owners plan their budgets effectively, and avoid unwelcome financial surprises. Payments are fixed and this helps maintain cash flow control, so money can be redirected to other areas in the business.

Tax Efficiency

Another great advantage of Hire Purchase is that it gives you tax advantages. Additionally, depending on the particular arrangement, firms may be able to deduct interest from taxable earnings or claim capital allowances. The dual benefit of this not only alleviates financial strain but also fits in with long term tax planning strategies.

Ownership at the End

Unlike lease or rental agreements, Hire Purchase ensures that the asset remains part of your business once the payments are complete. Ownership means that the vehicle is a real investment, not a temporary resource. It is particularly important to businesses that wish to improve their balance sheet or maintain operational independence.

How Hire Purchase Supports Fleet Expansion

Flexible Terms Tailored to Your Needs

Hire Purchase agreements give you remarkable flexibility and are great if you have special requirements. The duration, initial deposit size and payment schedule for contracts can be adjusted. This flexibility gives businesses an option to get the vehicles they need at an affordable price.

Ideal for Scaling Operations

With business growth, transportation needs often grow.  Once you’ve begun delivering goods or services, you’ll need a dedicated fleet. HP financing helps companies to add vehicles incrementally and within budget. And it’s a gradual approach that’s manageable and sustainable.

Comparing Hire Purchase to Other Options

Leasing vs. Hire Purchase

Businesses that want to keep expenditures low may find leasing attractive, but it doesn’t deliver the ownership benefits of HP. Maintenance packages are usually included in leases, but Hire Purchase enables the company to invest in assets that keep their value over time.

Outright Purchase Challenges

Paying for vehicles outright can drain valuable resources, especially for small businesses with limited capital. HP offers an alternative by spreading costs over an agreed term and not having to make a large, lump sum payment.

Strategic Advantages for Fleet Management

Upgrading Your Fleet

Businesses can upgrade their vehicles without having to repeatedly buy at high cost using Hire Purchase agreements. This is useful in particular to maintain a modern and efficient fleet.

Strengthening Operational Reliability

With HP, you don’t have to break the bank on high maintenance bills, or regularly break down. Newer, more reliable transportation improves service quality, and customer satisfaction.

Hire Purchase makes small business owners’ lives easier when it comes to expanding their vehicle fleets. This method of funding is affordable with manageable payments, tax advantages, and ultimate ownership which keep stress on the finances to a minimum while facilitating growth.

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Why Hire Purchase Makes Sense for Small Businesses