The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will share improved information on business rates valuations in phases: By 2026, ratepayers will be able to see more tailored information about their property. By 2029, ratepayers will be able to see more specific valuation information and evidence. This follows a consultation in 2023. We asked ratepayers, agents and others what information they wanted to see disclosed about how we value properties. Carolyn Bartlett, the VOA’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, said: “We understand the importance of greater transparency in business rates valuations. The consultation showed there are different views about what property valuation information…
Author: HM Government
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At a time when many charities carry trustee vacancies on their boards, trustees are overwhelmingly likely to recommend trusteeship to others. 8 in 10 trustees say they are likely or very likely to recommend the role [1]. These early findings emerge from in-depth research into trusteeship, conducted as part of a collaborative project between the regulator and PBE, which aims to better understand who trustees are and what skills they bring to the role. These findings coincide with Trustees’ Week, an annual celebration of the achievements of almost 1 million trustees across the UK, recognising the time, commitment and effort…
A Phase 1 investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Boparan’s proposed purchase of ForFarmers’ Burston feed mill site could lead to a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in the supply of poultry feed to independent customers (such as farmers) in East Anglia. The CMA has also found that as a result of the transaction, Boparan would have the ability and incentive to harm rival poultry meat producers, leading to higher poultry feed costs for chicken farmers and processors which could be ultimately passed to retailers and consumers. ForFarmers and Boparan (through 2Agriculture) both manufacture and…
Today, Ethiopian Airlines has received delivery of its first next generation Airbus A350-1000 aircraft – part manufactured by UK businesses – in a deal supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF). UKEF, in partnership with Bpifrance and Euler Hermes as reinsurers, provided a guarantee to commercial banks extending a loan to Ethiopian Airlines. The deal will supply a total of 4 A350-1000 aircraft to the airline over the coming months. The A350 is powered by the Trent XWB-97 – the world’s most efficient large aero-engine – which enables the aircraft to operate on 25% less fuel than its current closest competitor.…
World-leading reforms introduced to phase out smoking, protecting the public, NHS and economy and put us on track to a smokefree UK Government will be given powers to extend indoor smoking ban to certain outdoor settings, focused on protecting children and the most vulnerable, in addition to creating the first smokefree generation Bill will also ban vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as create new powers to restrict the flavours, display and packaging of all types of vapes Combined with on the spot fines, tougher action on enforcement and tighter regulation on vaping, the Bill will protect children and young people…
PM to outline major investments to smash criminal smuggling gangs at INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow New capabilities for Border Security Command from £150 million funding pot to drive down Organised Immigration Crime both at home and overseas New additional funding will cover state-of-the-art tech and information centres, boosts to enforcement and intelligence resourcing and expanding CPS capacity The Prime Minister is set to announce an additional £75 million to boost border security, bringing the investment in the Border Security Command over the next two years to £150 million. Marking the first time the INTERPOL General Assembly has been hosted…
Economic growth to underpin work in both Nigeria and South Africa, as Foreign Secretary agrees to develop a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan and a new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria. Climate continues to top the agenda of Foreign Secretary’s engagement as he visits Earthshot+ event in Cape Town. Foreign Secretary sets out “Growth is the core mission of this government and will underpin our relationships in Nigeria, South Africa and beyond.” David Lammy will begin a visit to Nigeria and South Africa today (3rd November), his first trip to the African continent as Foreign Secretary and the first to visit…
1. Major funding boost for the NHS The government is investing £22.6 billion in the NHS over the next two years. This is the biggest increase in NHS spending since 2010 (excluding COVID-19 years) and will help patients to access 40,000 more elective appointments each week as well as upgrades for GP facilities, new surgical hubs, and more diagnostic scans. 2. Protecting working people’s living standards The Chancellor confirmed that working people will see no changes to their payslips as there will be no increases to Income Tax, VAT, or employee National Insurance. From April 2025, the National Living Wage…
The UK welcomes the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR Althea today, and I join others in thanking France for its efforts as penholder on the text. EUFOR’s presence continues to play a vital role in safeguarding peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also express my thanks to High Representative Christian Schmidt for his latest report and I welcome his excellency Mr Denis Bećirović in our meeting today. I would like to use my remarks today to make three points: First, the UK fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspirations to make progress towards greater European integration. Pursuing a…
2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the appointment of the first Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA), Sir Solly Zuckerman. After several roles in government, in 1960, Sir Solly became Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence, and in October 1964, Chief Scientific Adviser to the government. Since Solly Zuckerman, there have been 13 GCSAs, with expertise ranging from medicine to ecology, biology to metallurgy. The role has evolved considerably over the years, especially in the 1980s, when it became a full-time position. The demand for science advice has grown substantially over the decades, meaning that the GCSA is…