Sirius Bulletin - 7th March 2022
This bulletin provides a summary of topical news, announcements and policy developments affecting business across the UK.
Economy
Ukraine crisis adds to inflationary pressures
The economic side effects from the conflict in Ukraine may result in further inflationary pressures. In the UK the economic effects will include higher petrol prices, energy bills and food prices.
Read more about the potential impact at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/economic-update-ukraine-crisis-adds-to-inflationary-pressures/
Groceries
Rising prices begin to shape behaviour
Households in the UK spent an average of £26 less at supermarkets in February 2022 with own-label sales performing better than brands for the first time in three months. In the 12-weeks to 20 February 2022, Aldi and Lidl were the fastest growing retailers, both increasing their sales by 3.3%.
Read more about grocery spending at: www.kantar.com/uki/inspiration/fmcg/2022-wp-uk-consumers-shrug-off-pandemic-routines-but-rising-prices begin-to-shape-behaviour
Health and social care
Requirement to be double-jabbed ends
Regulations requiring all those working in Care Quality Commission registered care homes to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will be lifted from 15 March 2022. The legal requirement for health and social care staff to be double-jabbed from 1 April will also be removed.
Read more about the change at: www.gov.uk/government/news/regulations-making-covid-19-vaccination-a-condition-of-deployment-to-end
International trade
UK trade in goods
Imports from non-EU countries increased to levels above those from EU countries in February 2021 and were consistently higher throughout the rest of 2021. The increase was driven by rising fuel prices as well as disruption to usual trade patterns due to Covid-19 and Brexit.
Read more about UK trade at: www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/balanceofpayments/articles/uktradeingoodsyearinreview/2021
Hair and beauty
Government to regulate cosmetic procedures
The Government has announced that it will introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox and fillers.
Read more about the plans at: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-crack-down-on-unregulated-cosmetic-procedures
Private healthcare
A third of adults struggled to access NHS care during pandemic
Around 31% of adults found it difficult to access NHS services during the pandemic. This resulted in almost one in eight using private healthcare, the equivalent of around two million people.
Read more about the issue at: www.ippr.org/news-and-media/press-releases/revealed-a-third-of-adults-struggled-to-access-nhs-during pandemic-driving-many-to-private-healthcare
Vets
Fall in EU registrant numbers
The annual number of vets coming to work in the UK from the EU fell by 68% from 1,132 in 2019 to just 364 in 2021. The fall could result in wide-ranging direct and knock-on impacts across the sector, especially in areas such as international trade and public health.
Read more about the fall at: www.bva.eo.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/uk-s-veterinary-workforce-crisis-deepens-as-eu-registrant-numbers drop-by-over-two-thirds-since-brexit/
Agriculture
Farmers see increase in quad bike theft
A shortage in new and second-hand agricultural machinery is fuelling an increase in quad bike theft from farms across the country. Global supply chain problems, shipping delays and the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit have contributed to waiting lists for new quad bikes and increased demand for second-hand kit.
Read more about the increase at: www.farminguk.com/news/farmers-see-guad-theft-surge-as-criminals-cash-in-on-high-demand 59928.html
Charities
Rise in number of mergers
The number of mergers in the charity sector is at its highest for five years, driven by growth in the number of smaller voluntary organisations being taken over. The number of takeovers in the sector reached a record high of 58 in 2021, while the number of mergers between similarly-sized larger charities fell.
Read more about the rise at: www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/number-of-charity-mergers-rises-to-highest-level-in-five-years.html
DISCLAIMER While all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that this information is accurate and up-to-date.