UK Government
The UK Government plays a pivotal role in shaping the jewellery sector through regulation, trade policy, tax frameworks, and industry support initiatives. From import/export tariffs and hallmarking standards to sustainability legislation and business grants, government decisions directly affect retailers, designers, manufacturers, and suppliers. Jewellery Focus offers upโtoโdate, tradeโfocused coverage of relevant policymaking, including consultation outcomes, regulatory reforms, funding schemes, Brexitโrelated trade developments, and guidance on compliance. Our reporting equips industry professionals with the insights needed to anticipate legal changes, manage cost and supplyโchain risk, and take advantage of government support within the UK jewellery ecosystem.
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Nov- 2025 -17 NovemberRetailers
Robert Gatward Jewellers shifts to employee ownership
Robert Gatward Jewellers has moved to an employee ownership model, placing the independent retailer into an employee ownership trust and giving staff a collective stake in the business. The shift means all employees are now beneficiaries of the trust, with the firm saying the change is intended to support long-term…
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Sep- 2025 -18 SeptemberCurrent Affairs
BoE holds interest rates at 4%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates steady at 4% amid concerns around the recent rise in inflation. At a meeting this week, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7โ2 to maintain the rate, as two members voted to reduce it by…
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Mar- 2025 -20 MarchManufacturers
Government to review British Hallmarking Council
The UK government has announced that it will commence a review into the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) which will look at the role, remit and governance of the BHC, including options to merge, abolish or reform it. The BHC is an executive, non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for…
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Apr- 2024 -9 AprilRetailers
Berryโs Jewellers turnover jumps 43% to ยฃ77m
Berryโs Jewellers has revealed turnover hit ยฃ77.3m for the year ended 30 June 2023, a 43% jump. Its operating profit was flat at ยฃ15m following significant investments in the refurbishment of showrooms and new store openings. This included a dedicated Patek Philippe and fine jewellery showroom in York โ adding…
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Sep- 2023 -21 SeptemberNews
Bank of England keeps interest rates unchanged at 5.25%
Following 14 straight rate rises, the Bank of England (BoE) has kept interest rates unchanged at 5.25%. At its latest meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a slim majority of 5โ4 to maintain the current rate, though four members preferred to increase the rate to 5.5%. The MPC…
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May- 2023 -19 MayInternational
Rishi Sunak to ban imports of Russian diamonds and metals
Rishi Sunak has announced a ban of Russian diamond, copper, aluminium and nickel in the UK, at the latest G7 Summit, according to a report by Sky News. The announcement comes after the G7 countries and the prime minister toughened their sanctions against Vladimir Putin. According to Sky, in addition…
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Jun- 2022 -27 JuneCurrent Affairs
UK sanctions Russian gold exports
New exports of Russian gold will no longer be allowed to enter the UK, Canada, US and Japan due to new measures announced at the G7 Summit yesterday (26 June), in a bid to ramp up the pressure on Putin amid his attack on Ukraine. Gold is reportedly Russiaโs biggest…
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Apr- 2022 -1 AprilRetailers
Lubrusan Studio calls for Russian diamond boycott
Lebrusan Studio has called on the jewellery industry to join in taking an active stance against Russian conflict diamonds. The global diamond industry is worth tens of billions of dollars, and Russia โ the worldโs leading diamond producer – accounts for around 30% of that market. The majority of Russian…
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Mar- 2022 -17 MarchNews
BoE raises interest rates to 0.75%
The Bank of England has raised interest rates back to the pre-pandemic level of 0.75% as it tries to mitigate the effect of the rising costs of living and the impact that the conflict in Ukraine is having on the global economy. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted with a…
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Oct- 2020 -20 OctoberCoronavirus
Manchester moved into Tier three
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that Manchester will be placed into Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions, after talks between mayor Andy Burnham and the UK government collapsed.ย As a result of being placed under Tier 3, pubs and restaurants must close unless they are supplying substantial meals and outside household…
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