Small businesses are bracing for a major shake-up after it emerged the Treasury is considering slashing the VAT registration threshold from £90,000 to just £30,000. The move, reportedly under review ahead of the November 26 Budget, would pull tens of thousands of sole traders and small firms into the VAT system for the first time, forcing them to charge customers more and deal with additional red tape.
Elly Baker, Labour's City Hall spokesperson for transport, has argued against the removal of the electric vehicle exemption from the Congestion Charge, stating that it would be 'counter-productive' and hinder efforts to transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Owner Rosanna Meza's brothers discovered the safes open and most of the inventory missing when they arrived at Meza's Jewelry on Sunday morning. The burglars stole approximately $1.5 million in jewelry, leaving only some 10 karat gold chains behind. The store lacked insurance to cover the loss, compounding the impact of the theft.