HLAS

Following a consultation in 2024, the fees payable by data controllers to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will be increased by 29.8%. The new fees will be as follows: There is a £5 discount for direct debit payments and any organisations that are currently exempt from paying the fee will continue to be exempt. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/data-protection-fee-regime-proposed-changes/outcome/data-protection-fee-regime-government-response

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate headlines as businesses explore how to make effective use of it. The government remains committed to fostering growth in the AI industry. Last week, it opened bidding for local authorities to submit proposals to become the next AI Growth Zone. It anticipates that thousands of jobs could be created as a result, potentially revitalising local communities across various parts of the UK. Last week also saw the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit take place in Paris. Representatives from 80 countries—including world leaders, tech executives, and academics—discussed AI’s current progress and future objectives. The emergence of [...]

The government unveiled significant plans last week to modernise the house buying and selling process. The reforms focus on digitalising and making property and identity data accessible electronically. This will enable mortgage companies and surveyors to access essential information more easily. It is believed that these changes will help to prevent unexpected issues arising late in the process, reducing the associated waste of time and money. In Norway, property transactions are typically completed within approximately one month, and these reforms take inspiration from how this has been achieved. HM Land Registry (HMLR) is playing a key role in these changes, [...]

The Department for Education have released details of additional flexibility coming to apprenticeships. When adult learners over the age of 19 start their apprenticeship course, businesses will now be able to decide whether they need to complete a level 2 English and Maths qualification (equivalent to a GCSE) in order to pass the course. The Department for Education stressed that apprentices will still be assessed on the core English and Maths skills that are relevant to the work they do. However, they will be able to focus more on their paid work. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship is also [...]

Traditional approaches to work and earning an income are evolving, and with the cost of living continually rising, many people are now looking for ways to make some extra cash outside of their main job. If that applies to you, you may be wondering whether you need to pay tax on those earnings. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched a new campaign aimed at clarifying whether you need to inform them about your side hustle earnings to avoid any unexpected surprises. The guidance explores five different types of side hustle. Here, we briefly review them and outline what you [...]

Pemberton Timber Frame Ltd, based in Kent, has been fined and ordered to pay costs following an avoidable injury to one of its workers. The company manufactures timber frame structures for the construction industry. One of its workers was operating a panel saw and was asked to perform a rip cut on a length of timber, meaning he needed to cut down its thickness. This required him to pass the timber through the panel saw multiple times because the timber was too thick for the blade to cut in a single pass. He successfully completed the first cut, but on [...]

February saw new changes come into force for the alcohol industry, particularly impacting winemakers. A temporary easement had been in place for wines with an alcohol by volume (abv) between 11.5% and 14.5%, treating them as if their abv were 12.5%. It was announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget that this easement would end on 1 February 2025. While there have been calls to make the easement permanent, the government has confirmed that it will end as scheduled. This means that the wine duty will now be based on the actual alcoholic strength of the wine. The duty rate will [...]

Legislation was laid before Parliament last week confirming that the new National Living Wage and new Minimum Wage rates will take effect from 1 April 2025. While many businesses are feeling and have expressed concern about the increases, the sight of the legislation suggests that no reprieve is in sight. As a reminder, the National Living Wage will increase to £12.21 from 1 April. This is a 6.7% increase and will be worth £1,400 a year to an eligible full-time worker. The National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will increase to £10.00 an hour. For an eligible full-time worker, [...]

Following the recent storms and heavy rainfall, the government has announced a £2.65 billion investment over the next two years to build, maintain, and repair flood defences. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, flood defences are increasingly vital to protect both homes and businesses. The funding will also help safeguard farmland, which has been severely impacted by the recent storms. Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell stated: “The impact of flooding on our communities will only intensify as climate change leads to more extreme weather, like Storms Bert, Conall, and Eowyn.” He also reaffirmed his commitment to delivering the critical [...]

The Charity Commission has issued a reminder to large, incorporated charities about upcoming changes to the law regarding fraud prevention. A new offence of failing to prevent fraud will come into force on 1 September 2025 for all large organisations, including charities. Who does this apply to?This new offence, introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, will affect large, incorporated charities that meet at least two of the following three criteria:• More than 250 employees.• More than £36m of income.• More than £18m in total assets. What is the change?Under the new law, if an employee, agent, [...]