This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 55


12 Mar 2024

ACT parent company, Bira – the British Independent Retailers’ Association -  has said that the Chancellor’s decision to reduce national insurance rates could offer a...

13 Feb 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called for a series of cost-saving measures in the next Budget to help boost business.

23 Nov 2023

Retail sector leaders have expressed a range of concerns, from taxation to business rates, following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement this week.

15 Nov 2023

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has outlined its expectations from the government...

30 Oct 2023

The government has confirmed it has no plans for cyclists to be subject to compulsory registration.

24 Aug 2023

Volatility in the cycle insurance market that has resulted in most insurers backing away from the UK cycling industry owing to poor claims performance has led the ACT, through its appointed...

25 Jul 2023

Norwich has triumphed ahead of Newcastle and Belfast to be named the most cycle-friendly city in the UK, scoring  high marks for categories like cycle routes, bike sharing schemes and...

18 May 2023

It has been reported by This Is Money that HMRC now holds 55 billion items of taxpayers' data, including email and bank records, as it cracks down on tax avoidance. The data is held on its...

18 Apr 2023

With the weather (hopefully) improving and the drive towards more active pathways gaining momentum, there is likely to be a renewed focus on cycle-to-work schemes as an attractive way to finance...

2 Mar 2023

What is not in doubt is that a significant number of UK shoppers either wouldn’t make a purchase if retail finance was not available or would not spend as much as they do without being...

Back to news menu

Budget should cut retailers’ costs, says retail trade organisation

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called for a series of cost-saving measures in the next Budget to help boost business.

Red budget box

Bira, which is the parent organisation of the Association of Cycle Traders, says its wish list includes making the current retail discount of 75% on rates permanent; a 20% increase in employers’ national insurance allowance; and action to help release businesses from expensive energy contracts.

Bira has made its requests in advance of the Spring Budget on 6 March, when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will address Parliament.

Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s chief executive, urged the government to address a series of issues for retailers, also including broader efforts to improve consumer confidence and spending.

He said: “These wishes represent a collective vision for a vibrant and flourishing retail landscape.

“We believe that by addressing these crucial issues in the Spring Budget, the government can lay the groundwork for a prosperous future for independent retailers and the UK economy as a whole.”

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.