MINISTERS have announced plans to speed up reforms aimed at helping high street businesses compete with online retailers and overseas sellers.

The Treasury said changes to low-value imports will now be brought forward by six months, with customs duty relief on goods worth £135 or less set to be scrapped from October 2028.

The move is designed to stop online retailers gaining an unfair advantage over shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and other high street businesses.

At present, many cheaper imported goods can enter the UK without customs duty, a system which ministers say has left traditional retailers at a disadvantage.

The Government is also reviewing how VAT is collected from businesses trading through online marketplaces, amid concerns that some sellers are failing to pay the tax they owe.

The Treasury said revenue raised from tougher VAT enforcement would be used to help improve the business rates system for high street firms.

Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “This action tackles the unfair competition and dodgy businesses that are doing real damage to our high streets.

“And by making sure that tax is paid when it’s owed, we can raise revenue to put back into improvements to the business rates system for pubs, restaurants, hotels and other high street businesses.”

The package also includes a consultation on VAT reform for land used in new social housing developments.

Ministers say the change could help speed up the delivery of affordable homes by making the tax system better reflect how social housing schemes are developed.

The Treasury said the measures form part of wider plans to make the UK tax and customs system simpler, fairer and more focused on economic growth.

Flag-raising forms part of national show of support for service personnel, veterans, reservists and families

LANDMARC Support Services has raised the Armed Forces Day flag at Castlemartin Training Area to mark Armed Forces Week 2026.

The event, held in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, formed part of a national celebration across the Defence Training Estate, with flags being flown at military training establishments across the UK.

Landmarc said the gesture was intended to show appreciation for serving personnel, veterans, reservists, military families and the wider Armed Forces community.

The company works with the Ministry of Defence and DIO to manage and operate the Defence Training Estate, providing training support, rural land maintenance and facilities management to help military personnel train effectively.

Support for veterans

Landmarc has also highlighted its work supporting service leavers as they move into civilian employment.

The company recently held a careers event called Landmarc Pathways: From Service to Second Career, offering service leavers guidance, networking opportunities and information about career routes within Landmarc and beyond.

It said it plans to continue running careers-focused initiatives for members of the Armed Forces community.

Landmarc has also been nominated three times at this year’s British Forces in Business Awards, which recognise former military personnel in second careers and employers who support veterans.

The company has expanded its partnership with X-Forces Enterprise by extending its Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans, reservists and military spouses and partners to include the Cadets in Enterprise programme.

The scheme forms part of Landmarc’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which it re-signed in 2024 after achieving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

‘Proud to show support’

Mark Neill, Managing Director at Landmarc, said: “Our recent careers event enabled us to provide practical support to service personnel and veterans preparing for the transition into civilian employment.

“Understanding how to translate military skills for civilian roles, build professional networks and explore new career pathways can make a significant difference to achieving a successful transition.

“As a veteran myself, I know first-hand how important Armed Forces Week is in recognising the contribution of those who serve, as well as the wider Armed Forces community, and we are proud to show our support during this special week.”

Brigadier Hatcher, DIO’s Head of Overseas and Training Region, added: “Armed Forces Week provides an important opportunity to recognise and thank the people who serve as well as their families, veterans and reservists.

“It’s fantastic to see the public, businesses, and fellow service members come together in support. Alongside our colleagues at Landmarc, we are proud to raise the flag at sites across the UK to honour their contribution.”

Opposition says Supplementary Budget fails businesses, farmers and schools

THE WELSH Conservatives have accused Plaid Cymru of setting the wrong priorities in its Supplementary Budget, claiming it fails to address key pressures facing businesses, agriculture, schools and the NHS.

Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said Plaid could not distance itself from previous Labour budgets, arguing that its support for four of the last five had contributed to long waiting lists, poor ambulance response times and a backlog of repairs across the NHS estate.

Mr Millar said: “Plaid Cymru can’t disown their record. They supported four of the last five Labour budgets, which got the NHS into this mess in the first place, with crumbling hospitals, poor ambulance performance and the longest waiting lists in Britain.

“This budget fails to face up to the challenges Wales faces. Not a penny for businesses to help them cope with the excessive burden of business rates and National Insurance contributions imposed by Labour. Not a penny for farmers, who are facing unnecessary red tape and Labour and Plaid’s ‘unsustainable’ farming scheme.”

He also criticised the handling of additional funding linked to pupils with Additional Learning Needs in England, saying schools in Wales should not be treated as a lower priority.

Mr Millar added: “It’s also disappointing that money intended for pupils with Additional Learning Needs is not being passed on to schools in Wales. Why should they be any less of a priority than their peers in England?

“This budget has the wrong priorities and is taking the same failed sticking plaster approach of the last Labour government. It’s time for Plaid to focus on the priorities of the people of Wales.”

However, supporters of the Supplementary Budget are likely to argue that it is designed to stabilise public services during a period of significant financial pressure, with the NHS, councils and schools all facing rising costs and demand.

Welsh ministers also have discretion over how UK Government consequentials are allocated, meaning money arising from spending decisions in England is not always ring-fenced for the same purpose in Wales.

Meanwhile, Huw Thomas, Welsh Labour’s Finance Spokesperson said: “What stands out in this supplementary budget is not what’s included, but what’s missing. Despite every Welsh council, teaching unions, and schools calling for it, Plaid Cymru have failed to commit any of the over £300 million that’s available for children with additional learning needs.

“We are clear that Plaid’s uncosted promises should not be paid for by Welsh pupils and teachers.”

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “This Supplementary Budget is about putting Wales’ priorities first and making every pound work harder.

“It provides targeted investment in key public services, including action to reduce NHS waiting times, support childcare, extend free school meals, invest in schools and strengthen social housing.

“After years of financial pressure, our focus is on practical measures that help families, protect frontline services and begin the work of delivering a fairer, more ambitious Wales.”