HLAS

HMRC is warning individuals not to share their personal information online to avoid their identities being used to claim bogus Self-Assessment tax refunds. HMRC is aware that criminals are attempting to obtain customers’ Government Gateway logins and other personal details, enabling them to register for Income Tax Self-Assessment and submit bogus tax refund claims before pocketing the repayment. Individuals, ranging from teenagers to pensioners, are being targeted on social media platforms by fraudsters seeking to ‘borrow’ their identities. In return, the individual is promised a cut of the tax refund ‘risk-free’. Handing over sensitive personal information to criminals like this, even [...]

UK businesses can now record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has launched a webpage for sponsors to record their interest in Homes for Ukraine, ahead of Phase One of the scheme opening for applications on Friday 18 March. The Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety, including those with no family ties to the UK. Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family [...]

With the 1.25% increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from 6 April 2022 to help fund health and social care it is important that employers use the letter that is appropriate for that employee. This is particularly important where you employ apprentices under the age 25 (H) and other employees under the age of 21 (M) as there are no employer contributions where the employee is paid no more than £50,270 a year. Although the employee pays 13.25% on earnings above the 15.05% employer contributions are not payable. This is clearly designed to encourage employers to take on apprentices and [...]

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding about 7,500 tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance customers they have just one month left to switch their Post Office card account. HMRC will stop making payments to Post Office card accounts after 5 April 2022 so customers must notify HMRC of their new account details, so they don’t miss out on vital payments. In November 2021, HMRC extended the deadline to the end of the financial year. The one-off extension to the contract meant customers could temporarily continue to receive their payments into their Post Office account, giving them extra time to set up new accounts [...]

New guidance published for the construction sector to improve the security and resilience of their business against cyber threats The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has partnered with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to produce guidance to help small-to-medium sized construction businesses protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Recent high profile cyber-attacks against the construction industry illustrate how businesses of all sizes are being targeted by criminals. As the industry continues to embrace and adopt new digital ways of working, it is more important than ever to understand how you might be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what you can do to [...]

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published new guidance on processing of personal data captured by video surveillance systems The guidance provides organisations in the public and private sectors with: information on new applications of video surveillance technologies guidance on using these technologies in accordance with the data protection laws Technologies covered in the guidance include: traditional closed circuit television (CCTV) automatic number plate recognition body worn video facial recognition technology drones technologies such as smart doorbells and dash cams Organisations using surveillance systems that process the personal data of identifiable individuals need to comply with the UK General Data [...]

Textiles 2030 is a new initiative for fashion and textiles companies in the UK. WRAP are working with major clothing, home textiles, sportswear and workwear retailers, alongside the UK re-use and recycling sector to transform the entire supply chain of textiles. Textiles 2030 targets include: cut carbon by 50% + to align with a 1.5°C global target cut water by 30% create and deliver a circular textiles roadmap for the UK Why should my business get involved? there is a climate imperative UK Government plans to legislate the industry customers prefer brands with sustainability values investors expect evidence of sustainability [...]

Tourism For All is offering a new free short course, ‘So what makes you think you are not accessible?’, which shows how the initial steps in improving accessibility can be easier than you think. Whether you want to grow your business or just maintain it at its current level, you should think about the welcome and service you can provide to customers with access needs. Making some adjustments may help you to address your customers’ access needs and keep providing them with a great experience! See:   So what makes you think you are not accessible? (tourismforall.org.uk)

Then ask us for a copy of our guide called “57 Ways to Grow Your Business”! Our publication is packed full of bright ideas for the Serious Entrepreneur and starts with the four basics of growth. All the ideas in this guide ultimately revolve around four basic insights about growing a business. You can: Increase the number of customers Increase the number of times each one does business with you Increase the average value of each transaction Increase your own effectiveness and efficiency Here are some other business principles that we explore in the guide: What you can measure you can [...]

Households and businesses across England are set to benefit from greener heating as a £288 million government funding scheme is opened – boosting the roll out of next generation heat network projects as part of cutting emissions. Schemes that will deliver clean heating to homes, offices, commercial and public buildings will be able to apply for grants to the Green Heat Network Fund over the next 3 years, allowing more towns and cities across England to take up this tried and tested technology. The fund is expected to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 5.6 million cars off the road for a [...]