'Publicans raise a glass as alcohol duties freeze'

Publicans raise a glass as alcohol duties freeze

Britain's publicans, brewers and distillers were toasting George Osborne yesterday after he promised not to raise duties on alcohol. He also said taxes on tobacco would remain the same following 'substantial increases' already announced in March. Osborne's inertia surprised analysts who had seen booze and fags as easy targets in the sweeping austerity Budget. The Chancellor also scrapped Labour's unpopular 'scrumpy duty' which would have seen tax on cider increase by 10 per cent, saying it would come 'just in time to celebrate England's progress to the quarter finals or else to drown our sorrows' - Daily Mail​

BUDGET 2010: Relief for small firms as corporation tax rise is reversed

Cash-strapped small businesses will be spared a tax rise which was due to come into force next April. The rate of corporation tax paid by small firms was due to jump from 21 per cent to 22 per cent in the spring. But George Osborne yesterday said the increase will be scrapped - and the rate will be cut to 20 per cent. The Chancellor also revealed plans to encourage new businesses to hire workers and will give tax breaks to new bosses who create employment - Daily Mail​

World Cup 2010 Pub landlord's England paper bunting is banned

A pub landlord's England paper bunting has been banned because council jobsworths fear it may be a road hazard. Les Gue, 61, hung up two strings of paper St George's cross flags across the road outside The Exhibition Inn, in Great Wakering, Essex. But county council officials took them down claiming it could hit passing cyclists or distract drivers. Mr Gue said: "It's ridiculous. What possibleinjury could two strings of paper bunting cause anyone? It's health and safety madness." - Daily Express​

M&B recruits new finance chief

All Bar One and Harvester pubs chain Mitchells & Butlers has appointed Tim Jones as finance director. Jones, who has previously held senior financial posts at Novar, Exel, British Gas and Hambros Bank, is currently in the same role at maintenance and building group Interserve, where he will remain for an "appropriate period" to ensure a smooth handover to his successor. Current M&B finance boss, Jeremy Townsend, will leave the firm on 31 August - The Scotsman​

UK grocers see surge in World Cup TV sales-Nielsen

Britain's supermarket groups saw a 54 per cent jump in sales of televisions in the four weeks to June 12, benefiting from a surge in demand ahead of the soccer World Cup, market researchers Nielsen said on Tuesday. Total grocery sales growth remained subdued, at 3 per cent, with Sainsburys and upmarket chain Waitrose benefiting from opening new stores - Reuters​

Clegg faces revolt over VAT increase

Nick Clegg faces a Lib Dem uprising after sanctioning savage benefit cuts and going back on his vow to fight a VAT rise. Ex-Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy has been tipped to lead the rebellion that could threaten the coalition's future. Already one MP, Bob Russell has warned he could not back the Budget and will consult constituents about joining Labour in trying to vote it out - The Mirror​