Business news
Inflation falls to 8.7% in April
Food prices remain at “near historic highs”.UK economy will “avoid recession”
IMF upgrades its growth forecast.Government launches CIS consultation
Government aims to simplify payments under the scheme.VAT registration helpline closed
HMRC will focus efforts on registration applications.Late payment interest rate rises to 7%
Interest has doubled since May 2022.HMRC plans to simplify construction industry scheme
The scheme may be causing “unnecessary” administrative burdens.One in five taxpayers will pay higher tax rate
Threshold freezes could see 7.8 million pay 40%.VAT registration helpline set to close
HMRC will prioritise registration applications.Company insolvencies fall in April
Figures remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.Retail sales grow steadily in April
Retailers hope sales will improve over the summer.
In the 11th and 12th centuries half a million pilgrims a year travelled on foot from all over Europe to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. In September 1992 Patrick Shanahan retraced their steps, recording his 500 mile journey in a series of photographs, some of which are reproduced on this website.