HLAS

Innovate UK has launched a competition for organisations to apply for a share of £1.2 million to develop open solutions to accelerate decarbonisation of energy in the UK. This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The competition will stimulate the development of collective equity for the sector and the creation of communities to support the development of reusable and open net zero energy solutions. Your open solutions should accelerate the delivery of net zero energy in the UK. The outputs should be adopted by first users and have potential to be supported [...]

This call for evidence invites respondents’ views on: the customs intermediary sector the Simplified Customs Declaration Process (SCDP) the Transit facilitation By taking a fresh look at the fundamental building blocks of the UK’s customs system, the government wants to use this opportunity to gather and consider a wide range of evidence on how the customs system is working and changes that could be made to make it simpler, easier and more responsive to stakeholders’ needs. This evidence will support changes to policy or processes to make it easier for traders to navigate the UK’s customs system. The government welcomes [...]

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £25 million for late stage research and development projects that help accelerate the UK towards a net zero automotive future. The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) provides funding, support and insight for the development of low carbon and net zero automotive technologies. It aims to support the UK’s transition towards net zero product manufacturing and supply chain in the UK automotive sector. Eligibility summary: this competition is open to collaborations only to lead a project your organisation must be a UK registered business of any size your consortium must include a vehicle [...]

The government are concerned about the lack of take up of tax-free childcare accounts, with HMRC estimating that less than 22% of families eligible for the scheme had joined in March 2021. With many parents returning to work following the pandemic they should be encouraged to set up a tax free childcare account to help with their childcare costs. HMRC are suggesting that employers should make their employees aware of the support available to families with young children. With many parents working from home for part of the week tax free childcare accounts are more flexible than childcare vouchers. Childcare [...]

For limited companies, when it comes to making decisions, Company Law states shareholders who own more than 50% can pass a motion at a company meeting regardless of the views of other shareholders and if shareholder(s) owns more than 75% of the shares they control the company outright and can veto the decisions of all other shareholders. This may not suit all business situations, especially where you have two or more founders holding equal share capital or a group of owners with varying amounts of capital, some of whom are directors and some who are not, but who are all [...]

From 4 January 2022, the government is able to scrutinise and intervene in certain acquisitions that could harm the UK’s national security. The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act – the biggest shake-up of the UK’s national security regime for 20 years – commenced on the 4 January 2022. The government is now able to scrutinise and intervene in certain acquisitions made by anyone, including businesses and investors, that could harm the UK’s national security. The government will also be able to impose certain conditions on an acquisition or, if necessary, unwind or block it – although it is expected [...]

Applications for this loan have been extended and are now open until 30 June 2022. Launched on 6 April 2021, the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) provides financial support to businesses across the UK as they recover and grow following the coronavirus pandemic. You can apply to the scheme if Covid-19 has affected your business. You can use the finance for any legitimate business purpose – including managing cashflow, investment and growth. However, you must be able to afford to take out additional debt finance for these purposes. If your business has already borrowed from any of the other coronavirus loan [...]

The Home Office and DEFRA have announced the Seasonal Worker visa route will be extended until the end of 2024, which allows foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months to work in the horticulture sector. There will be 30,000 visas available in 2022, but this will be kept under review with the potential to increase by 10,000 if necessary. The number of visas will begin to taper down from 2023. See: Industry given certainty around seasonal workers but told to focus on domestic workforce - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Leaseholders in England and Wales could find it easier and cheaper to buy the freehold of their building under new proposals to create a fairer housing system. A government consultation has opened to look at proposals that could make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to buy the freeholds of their homes. The consultation follows the reset of government approach to building safety, and forms part of the reforms to property law. As part of a consultation, homeowners and the housing industry are being invited to give their views on proposals from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [...]

The UK Government have announced the rise in the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage from April 2022. In full, the increases are: National Living Wage (23+) to increase from £8.91 to £9.50 National Minimum Wage (21-22) to increase from £8.36 to £9.18 National Minimum Wage (18-20) to increase £6.56 to £6.83 National Minimum Wage (16-17) to increase £4.62 to £4.81 Apprenticeship Wage to increase from £4.30 to £4.81 See: UK government announces pay rise for millions of people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)