News

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The Government has issued a formal corrigendum to the Litter Control (Amendment) Act 2024, clarifying who is liable for littering offences involving vehicles and strengthening enforcement against companies and their officers. The correction tightens accountability while removing unintended liability for certain vehicle owners. For businesses, especially those operating fleets, public service vehicles or company cars, the changes clarify exposure and raise the stakes for corporate responsibility.

Tourism policy is entering a decisive phase, with big ambitions set against some unresolved practical questions. In an interview with the Gibraltar Chronicle, Tourism Minister the Hon. Christian Santos outlined plans centred on access, infrastructure and events. For businesses, the key issue is not intent, but whether these plans will translate into sustained demand on the ground.

Main Street traders have reported a broadly positive festive trading period, with strong local support, resilient spending patterns and a vibrant town centre atmosphere despite challenging weather conditions and wider economic uncertainty. Several retailers noted that Christmas shopping began earlier than usual, with steady demand from local customers from late November.

Our Thrive EDIT newsletter is reaching a growing community of subscribers and this year alone we've shared 50 editions and hundreds of news updates that matter to GFSB members. From a transformed HQ to big policy updates, new partnerships and long-awaited Treaty-related announcements, here are some of the our GFSB and Thrive EDIT highlights from the last 12 months.

The Gibraltar Government has announced the first phase of new rules for Personal Light Electric Transporters (PLETs), including e-scooters. The message is clear. Gibraltar will regulate, not ban, their use. Anyone who rides an e-scooter in Gibraltar, including people who commute daily from Spain, will need to comply.

The GFSB is a member of CEA-PME, Europe’s largest SME confederation, giving us direct insight into EU policy shifts that influence business environments across the continent. The latest CEA-PME newsletter shares updates on digital regulation, AML, workforce skills and economic security. For Gibraltar firms trading with or servicing EU markets, these developments are useful signposts for what may be coming next. Full newsletter.

The shock announcement of a 40 percent UK gaming duty has sent a jolt through one of Gibraltar’s most important industries, with global operators, markets and ministers scrambling to assess the fallout. What happens next matters for all of us, because gaming is not just another sector on the Rock, it is a major driver of jobs, tax revenues and economic confidence, and the effects of this decision are being felt far beyond our shores.

“Devastating” is how the Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry described the potential effect of any significant increase in UK gambling duty on 12 November this year. Well, now those duties have doubled. So is Gibraltar facing the devastation the Minister previously warned about?

Last night’s Viewpoint took on one of Gibraltar’s most talked-about topics (certainly one we never tire of talking about!): Main Street. Our Calle Real is changing at a pace not seen in decades, and the programme set out to explore why, what it means for the community, and how a future UK EU treaty could accelerate that change.