News
Is the Government considering a National Living Wage freeze?
14 October 2020
New reports have suggested that the Treasury may be considering postponing a planned increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) rates next year. Under plans outlined last December by then Chancellor, Sajid Javid, the legal minimum wage paid to workers over the age of 25 was due to rise by 6.2 per cent from £8.72 per hour to £9.21 per hour...
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Companies House reforms to combat fraud and assist businesses
14 October 2020
Companies House, the UK’s register of company information, is to be reformed under new plans designed to prevent fraud and money laundering. As part of the reforms, directors will have to have their identity verified by Companies House before they can be appointed. The amendment will increase the accuracy of data that...
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Price of plastic bags in England to double to 10p
14 October 2020
The price of plastic bags in larger retailers in England will double from 5p to 10p from April next year. The 5p charge was first introduced in 2015 and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says that plastic bag use has fallen from 140 a year per adult in 2014 to four now. George Eustace, the Environment...
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New Coronavirus regulations place self-isolation obligations on employers
14 October 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 28 September 2020 and place new obligations on employers in relation to self-isolation. Regulation 7 creates a new offence of knowingly permitting a worker, including agency workers, to attend a place other than where they...
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Latest SEISS grants introduce new qualifying conditions
14 October 2020
As part of the Government’s plan to extend the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for a further six months, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced new conditions that must be met. The scope of the extended scheme will now be much narrower, with the third and fourth grants being less generous for the self-employed.
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Businesses may be entitled to insurance pay-out after important judgment
14 October 2020
A new judgment at the High Court has clarified that policyholders denied business interruption (BI) insurance claims due to COVID-19 may be due compensation. In an important test case, brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the court has found in favour of BI policyholders after many insurers denied pay-outs...
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Chancellor expands Job Support Scheme and grants to businesses facing new COVID-19 restrictions
12 October 2020
The Chancellor has announced that the Government will expand the new Job Support Scheme (JSS) to assist jobs and businesses required to close their doors as a result of tougher Coronavirus restrictions. The announcement was made ahead of new plans to introduce a tier-based system for lockdowns across the country, which could force...
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Government issues new guidance on the Job Retention Bonus
05 October 2020
Employers will be able to apply for the Job Retention Bonus (JRB) between 15 February 2021 and 31 March 2021. This one-off taxable payment to employers offers £1,000 for each eligible employee that was furloughed and kept continuously employed until 31 January 2021. Any employer can submit a claim, as long as they have furloughed...
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Download the Government’s guide to the Job Support Scheme
28 September 2020
Many businesses have welcomed the news that the Government will introduce a new scheme to support them with their employment costs once the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends. The new Job Support Scheme will launch on 1 November 2020 and is designed to support viable jobs by subsidising the wage costs for staff working...
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Important message to clients and friends
25 September 2020
Sadly as a result of the most recent government recommendation, we have closed the office with immediate effect.
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Case Studies
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A modern approach required for music moguls
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A taste for growth, a thirst for knowledge
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A shared passion for architecture and a head for numbers
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Cut above the rest in personal management style
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Smiles all round for dental practice
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Sometimes a business does exactly as it says on the tin
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Child's play with proactive accounts management
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Customer care is top of the list for packaging business
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Taxing demands with old school charm