ONS analysis, based on the long-running Family Spending study, shows how coronavirus lockdown provisions have affected UK household spending. LINK Lockdown, in its strictest form, forbids spending in several areas, which account for c.22% of typical expenditure i.e. food service. It may also affect spending in some discretionary areas, as incomes and confidence fall and househo...

The UK Government has laid out its approach to handling goods trade between Great Britain, Ireland, and Northern Ireland after EU exit in a command paper. LINK Businesses involved in trade between GB and Northern Ireland have now been asked to fill-in and return a questionnaire, electronically. The information will be used to ensure that businesses receive all necessary documentation a...

Is your company facing any of these challenges: improving capability, generating growth, and developing skill sets for the future? Alex Edge, our head of people development solutions, shows how your peers have tackled them with expertise from IGD Solutions. 1. Challenge: improving capability skills We know your budgets and resources are being reduced across training and l...

ONS has published GDP data for April 2020. This shows a real term decline in UK economic output of 20.4%, the steepest fall recorded since the measure began in 1997. April was the first full month of coronavirus lockdown conditions (lockdown began in late March). Almost all parts of the economy saw a contraction, with the notable exception of manufacture of pharmaceuticals. Manufact...

The UK Government has published guidance for businesses that plan to move plant or animal products to or from the EU, when the EU exit “transition period” ends in December 2020. For animal products (officially “products of animal origin” or POAO), UK importers will need to: The transition from the EU’s TRACES system to the new UK-only IPAFFS system Import through a specified b...

The London Transition Board met for the first time on 09 June, chaired by Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing and Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. The board aims are to co-ordinate the capital’s emergence from lockdown conditions and return to normal operations, whilst minimising biological risk. There is also a separate London Recovery Board, with responsibility for econom...

Stores selling non-essential lines will begin to re-open in England from 15 June (subject to development of safe working practices and continued progress on coronavirus). LINK A new sign has been created by Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which businesses can download, print, and display on their premises. This aims to reassure the public that safe working is being complied wit...

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued a new version of its Economic Outlook report, giving forecasts for major markets. This is the first version of the report to take account of the coronavirus pandemic. LINK This set of forecasts is especially interesting and valuable unlike some others OBR, Bank of England they use two biological scenarios...

The UK and Japan have begun trade talks, discussing terms which will apply once the EU exit transition period ends in December 2020. Talks are based upon the existing trade deal between the EU and Japan, but it is hoped that there will be expanded market access for digital businesses and small enterprises. The UK Government negotiating mandated for these talks can be found here: ...

Following the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), IGD is working closely with the UK Government and the food industry. Here is a summary of some of the key developments we have picked up. Test and Trace Despite concerns about the potential impact on absence rates through the implementation of the test and trace programme, at present absence rates continue to be stable or re...