Month: August 2016

Sole traders, landlords and unincorporated businesses will be able to submit ‘voluntary’ tax payments towards unexpected tax liabilities, under new proposals from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Read More

A report published by the National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses (FSB) has suggested that, under increased Government support, UK businesses could deliver approximately 1 million more apprenticeships.

According to the FSB, approximately one in four Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK currently employ apprentices – and a further one in four have their sights set on employing apprentices in the near future.

FSB chairman Mike Cherry said that the UK was facing a “make-or-break moment,” after a report suggested that, amongst Britain’s 4.7 million SMEs, there was potential to ‘double’ the number of apprenticeships on offer – should the Government successfully deliver increased support.

He said: “While many small firms are committed to apprenticeships, many more continue to be worried about the time and personal commitment required.

“Smaller businesses are taking on more apprentices than ever before. What’s more, a quarter of our members say they are considering employing an apprentice in the future.

“This presents a huge opportunity and is great news for vocational training, which has become an increasingly attractive option for young people put off by the rising cost and uncertain returns of a university degree.

“We need the Government to hit the right balance between incentives and support,” he said.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are to discuss changes to the salary sacrifice and “making good” aspect of benefits-in-kind for both employers and employees. Read More

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are “not engaged enough in the banking market” and could be paying more than necessary for their account, according to a new report examining the current and future state of UK banking. Read More

Approximately 3.5 million people now use HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) online personal tax accounts, claims a report. Read More

Young people across the UK are not receiving adequate training, education and information on the benefits of, and skills required for, self-employment and enterprising, according to a membership body. Read More

90 per cent of IT contractors in the UK will ‘turn their backs’ on the public sector if controversial reforms to IR35 are implemented by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), according to a new study. Read More

For the first time in over seven years, the Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to a record low of 0.25 per cent in a bid to bolster the economy, but how it will it affect mortgage holders? Read More

Businesses across four countries, including the UK, are increasingly losing revenue as a result of cyber-attacks, according to a new study. Read More

A staggering 80 per cent of contractors plan on abandoning the public sector if the proposed IR35 reforms go ahead, research reveals. Read More