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Retailers react to disposable vape ban.

5 Feb 2024

The retail sector has been responding to government plans to ban disposable vapes as part of plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.
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UK’s indie food retailers to be recognised in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards 2024.

23 Jan 2024

Bakers, butchers, cheesemongers, delicatessens, fishmongers, greengrocers, village stores and small farm shops from around the UK have been shortlisted in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards... Read more…

How Independent Retailers Can Stand Out in A Crowded Market

23 Jan 2024

An interesting article has appeared in Forbes reflecting many of the issues that Indie Retail & ActSmart members will be experiencing – the challenges and... Read more…

Eight in Ten Small Businesses Taking Positive Steps to Strengthen Their Enterprises in 2024

22 Jan 2024

Eight in ten small business owners (81%) are planning to develop their companies in 2024, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The research shows that over a third (33%) are... Read more…

The Times names 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers.

22 Jan 2024

The Times has named 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers. Readers highlighted places that combined books with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.... Read more…

Bira Launches Second Annual Campaign for Valentine's Day - #LoveYourHighStreet

22 Jan 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association is championing the high street again this Valentine's Day for the second consecutive year with its #LoveYourHighStreet campaign.
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Family-run shop in Lanarkshire village scoops community retailer award for second year running.

10 Jan 2024

Nads Store, a family-run shop in Law, Lanarkshire, has been named Community Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Asian and Business Awards ceremony for the second year running.
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Bira urges vigilance against loan fee fraud following FCA guidance.

10 Jan 2024

In the face of the escalating threat of loan fee fraud, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging its members to heed the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) recent guidance... Read more…

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back afloat.

9 Jan 2024

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back on the water after it sank last April, ruining over 1,000 vinyl records and a stow of music equipment stored on... Read more…

New research shows UK retail sector powered by entrepreneurs and start-ups

9 Jan 2024

While mass-market players continue to dominate the UK retail industry, research by Geek Retreat shows that 15% of Brits have set up their own business in the past ten years, and of these,... Read more…

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Welsh Finance Minister Sets out 2021-22 Budget

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

moneyWelsh Government Finance Minister Rebecca Evans MS has unveiled its ‘Protect, Build, Change' draft Budget for 2021/22.

In the first budget since the pandemic, the package delivers an extra £176 million for local government to support schools, social care and local services that have been critical to our response to the pandemic. The package includes a £10 million boost to the Social Care Grant, which now stands at £50 million, in recognition of the significant impact the pandemic has had on the sector.

Strategic spending plans included in the draft include investing in ‘Town Centre First' pilots to improve the diversity of services on high streets and £5m for a Town Centre Loans programme to support the conversion of properties into shops. A targeted tax reduction will also help businesses recovering from the worst of the pandemic. Most businesses purchasing non-residential properties costing less than £225,000 won't pay any Land Transaction Tax, as the threshold is raised by 50%.

£38m has also been allocated to support the transition towards electric vehicle charging. £77m has been allocated as part of an initial pandemic-response package to continue free school meal schemes and contract tracing.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

"As we plan for our first steps beyond the pandemic, this budget is designed to protect health and our economy, build a greener future and create change for a more prosperous, more equal, and a greener Wales.

Despite the most challenging circumstances we have ever faced as a government, I am proud to announce a budget that delivers on our values and provides sound foundations for the next administration.

While like for like funding per person in Wales remains below 2010 levels, our priorities will steer a course for stability, protecting what matters most and creating the change that is essential to a good recovery."

The Minister is expected to make an oral Statement on the draft Budget in the Senedd Cymru on 12th January 2021.

Draft Budget 2021 to 2022

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