HLAS

The government has announced new measures designed to improve the warmth of homes for renters and lower heating costs. As things currently stand, a private rented home can be rented out if it meets Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) E. Social rented homes have no minimum standard at all. A consultation will shortly be launched on proposals for both private and social rented homes to have to meet EPC C or its equivalent by 2030. Also announced was a new Warm Homes: Local Grant that will help low-income homeowners and private tenants to be able to make necessary energy performance upgrades [...]

If you, or your child, was born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, there could be a savings account with your or their name on it – literally! More than 670,000 young people, aged 18-22, have yet to claim their Child Trust Fund, with HM Revenue & Customs calculating that the average fund is worth £2,212. That’s a decent chunk of money, so it’s worth checking to see if you’re one of those with unclaimed funds. Let’s look at how you can find out if you or someone in your family are owed this cash, and what steps [...]

The government has announced reforms to the apprenticeship system in England, presenting exciting opportunities for business owners. These changes, aimed at increasing young people's access to apprenticeships, include a new "growth and skills levy" that will replace the existing apprenticeship levy. Here’s what you need to know, and how it could benefit your business. Understanding the new growth and skills levy The new levy is designed to give businesses greater flexibility in hiring and training apprentices. Currently, apprenticeships must last at least 12 months, which may not always suit your business needs. Under the revised system, funding for shorter apprenticeships [...]

In line with the e-invoicing initiative we reported on elsewhere, the Chancellor also outlined broader reforms to modernise HMRC through a Digital Transformation Roadmap, which is expected in Spring 2025. This roadmap will aim to create a “digital-first” tax system, although it will include measures to ensure support for those unable to go fully digital. In addition, James Murray, who is Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and is responsible for the UK’s tax system, has been appointed as the Chair of the HMRC Board. This in part is to help him oversee how HMRC can ‘close the tax gap’ – [...]

The Chancellor made several key announcements last week that could impact UK businesses. One notable area for business owners was the government's push for electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is set to launch a consultation on promoting the broader adoption of e-invoicing, with the aim of simplifying business transactions, reducing administrative burdens, and, importantly, helping to reduce errors in tax returns so that HMRC can 'close the tax gap.' While HMRC clearly benefits from the use of e-invoices, there are also significant advantages for businesses. Benefits of e-invoicing for businesses: Improved cash flow: E-invoicing speeds up payment [...]

Late payments are a huge headache for small businesses across the UK, costing SMEs around £22,000 per year on average. In fact, it’s estimated that they’re responsible for about 50,000 business closures each year! The government has just announced new measures to tackle the problem, but these won’t come into play overnight, so what can you do in the meantime to protect your business? What’s changing? The government has rolled out some new proposals to address late payment problems, particularly trying to tackle larger businesses taking advantage of smaller ones. Here’s what’s on the table: New Fair Payment Code: The [...]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a key speech at the Labour Party conference last week, where she appeared to adopt a more optimistic tone regarding the economy. Previously, she had described the upcoming Budget as potentially “painful,” which led to speculation about possible spending cuts and tax increases, potentially impacting consumer confidence. However, her conference speech focused on the positive outcomes she aims to achieve for the economy. Reeves plans to increase public spending in real terms, believing that government investment will drive economic growth. There are also indications that the rules on government borrowing could be revised to permit more [...]

Kiverco, a family-owned business from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, has secured multi-million-pound contracts to export recycling machinery to Saudi Arabia with the support of UK Export Finance (UKEF). UKEF has provided a £350,000 export insurance package that will help Kiverco to install new plants in Saudi Arabia. Kiverco designs and installs recycling plants that process and recover waste across various sectors, including construction, municipal waste, and dry mixed recyclables. With over 400 sites worldwide, the Dungannon-based company is well-positioned to meet rising demand in Saudi Arabia’s waste sector, which is pushing for more sustainable infrastructure development. This news story [...]

The British Chamber of Commerce has officially launched in Uganda, providing UK businesses with new opportunities to expand into the region. The Chamber aims to strengthen trade ties between the UK and Uganda by offering a variety of services, such as networking events, trade delegations, and business advocacy. For UK businesses, this presents a valuable opportunity to explore new markets in Uganda, especially in key sectors like energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Membership with the Chamber starts at $650 per year, with three tiers available. Members gain access to exclusive benefits, including connections to influential government and private sector organisations, as [...]

The government has revealed plans to tackle the growing number of young people unable to work due to long-term illness. There has been a 29% rise in sickness among 16-24 year olds since the pandemic, with government figures showing that nearly 900,000 young people are now not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This raises concerns not only for their well-being but also for the future workforce. Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, has promised a significant shift in employment policies with the forthcoming Get Britain Working White Paper. The government’s aim is to create a system that focuses less on [...]