HLAS

The UK and Japan will strengthen their cooperation on efforts to diversify the technology used in telecoms networks. Two nations agree to closer cooperation to solve global telecoms supply chain issues Includes commitment to more information sharing on innovative ways to build networks Will support R&D collaboration on future tech such as Open RAN and 6G The UK Minister for Digital Infrastructure Julia Lopez and Japan’s Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Yuji Sasaki met in London on Friday morning. They agreed several joint initiatives to support efforts to reduce the global overreliance on a small number [...]

Opportunity for innovative UK female business leaders to collaborate with the Netherlands on Agri-Tech solutions. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has opened another GBIP to give up to 15 innovative female-led businesses a chance to explore the Agri-Tech opportunities with the Netherlands. The programme is structured around three main phases: Getting ready for the market - you'll get a chance to attend a pre-activity briefing workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and potential opportunities. Visiting the market - you'll get a chance to explore the innovation opportunities with the Netherlands first-hand, over the course [...]

Small Business Britain is launching “The Sustainability Basics programme”, in partnership with Oxford Brookes Business School, to help small businesses make the most of the opportunities of sustainability. This free programme (and community of like-minded businesses) will give each entrepreneur the basics they need to supercharge their sustainability planning, reduce their impact on the planet, and turn their sustainability plans into fantastic commercial advantage. This programme will be delivered over six weeks entirely via digital channels. Webinars are recorded and available for catch up on a dedicated page on the Small Business Britain website. All sessions begin at 11am and the [...]

Many want to do their bit to support those who have been forced to flee their homes because of the invasion. Here is how you can help #StandWithUkraine. Financial donations If you want to donate money, there are a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine. See: Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal The UK Government will match public donations to this appeal pound-for-pound up to £25 million. Donating essential supplies One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly [...]

With the increases in National Insurance Contributions (NIC) from 6 April 2022 many employees and their employees are considering changing their entitlement to their contractual salary for either tax free benefits in kind such as additional contributions into their pension, or benefits in kind that have a low tax and NIC charge such as an electric company car. This needs to be done with care and requires a change to the Contract of Employment. From 6 April 2017 where a benefit is given as part of optional remuneration arrangement (salary sacrifice), the rules for valuing the amount of the benefit [...]

From 2023/24 there will be a separate 1.25% deduction on employee payslips for the Health and Social Care Levy announced by the Prime Minister last September. However, for 2022/23 there will be a 1.25% increase in the rate of national insurance contributions. HMRC is asking employers, where appropriate, to include the following message on payslips: ‘1.25% uplift in NICs, funds NHS, health & social care’. Note, this is not obligatory.

P2P is a relatively new concept which bypasses the banks to allow businesses to borrow money directly from ordinary people. Businesses get the funding they need, and lenders get a better rate than they would leaving their money in the bank. In between the borrower and the lender stands the P2P platform which handles the collection and distribution of loans and repayments. P2P is very bespoke. The idea is to assess what the business needs first rather than attempting to fit them into a ‘product’. Consequently, an early informal chat through is often the best way to progress. Our P2P [...]

Then ask us about our comprehensive guide to the financial, tax and accounting considerations of starting a business, “The New Business Kit” which we offer free to start ups or those who have recently made the jump into business ownership. The guide helps start-ups think about: Selecting a legal entity; Registering with the tax authorities; Accounting and bookkeeping; Value Added Tax; Payroll taxes and pensions; Income and corporation tax; Cash planning and forecasting; Insurance; Selecting professional advisers; and Digital accounting systems. In addition there is a section of useful names, addresses and telephone numbers. Just ask – it is free!

Successful businesses all have two things in common – a thorough understanding of customer needs, and they have a total dedication to their customers. This involves the process of knowing: Who their customers are; Their customers’ perception of the company and their needs; and How to attract them back time and time again! The logic is that you gather information about your business and get an insight into the way customers and prospective customers think and make ‘buy’ decisions. So, take a day out to work on your marketing plan and set some targets. At the end of a marketing [...]

2022/23 National Insurance Bands Increase Unless the Chancellor makes an announcement to the contrary on 23 March, which is very unlikely, the rates of National Insurance Contributions for workers and employers increase by 1.25% from 6 April 2022. This is to provide extra funding for health and social care and will become a separate Levy from 2023/24.   The starting thresholds for employee and employer national insurance contributions (NICs) have also been increased. Employees will be liable to 13.25% NICs between £190 and £967 a week (£50,270 a year). Employer contributions at 15.05% will start at £175 a week.   [...]