HLAS

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has launched a new initiative aimed at helping British engineering, design, and technical services firms secure international contracts. The Early Project Services Guarantee (EPSG) is designed to make UK expertise more attractive to overseas buyers while filling a key financing gap for the early stages of major projects. How the EPSG works  The EPSG provides overseas buyers of UK services with access to private finance by guaranteeing payments to lenders. This assurance makes it easier for international buyers to choose UK firms for essential scoping and design work in the planning [...]

The latest inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for October 2024 rose to 2.3%, up from 1.7% in September. This marks the first increase in inflation since July, and it has sparked interest among business owners, economists, and policymakers alike. The rise in inflation was widely anticipated, and as a result the Bank of England have already signalled that any future cuts to the base rate will happen gradually. However, the latest CPI figures make it unlikely that the Bank will reduce rates any further when they meet in December. [...]

Following the Bank of England’s decision to reduce the base rate from 5% to 4.75%, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced a reduction in their late payment interest rates. HMRC interest rates track the base rate. Late payment interest (payable if you pay tax late) is set at base rate plus 2.5%. Repayment interest (which HMRC pay you on refunds or overpayments) is set at base rate minus 1%, with a minimum rate of 0.5%. Therefore, the late payment interest rate will reduce to 7.25%. Repayment interest will reduce to 3.75%. The reductions come into effect from the following [...]

A recent case involving a former company director in Hartlepool and Guisborough underlines the importance of checking employees’ right to work in the UK. Edris Ali, 39, who previously ran a pizza restaurant and a car wash, was banned as a director for ten years after hiring six illegal workers from Iran, Sudan, and Cote d’Ivoire. The workers were discovered during Immigration Enforcement visits, leading to substantial fines and legal action against Ali. Ali employed two individuals without work authorisation at Tasty Pizza restaurant in Hartlepool and a further four at Bubbles Car Valeting in Guisborough. His actions resulted in [...]

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has announced plans to share more detailed information on business rates valuations, making the system more transparent for ratepayers across England. Starting in 2026, businesses will have access to tailored information about their properties, and by 2029, they will be able to see specific valuation details and evidence. Carolyn Bartlett, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at the VOA, noted that while ratepayers generally desire more transparency, some have concerns about data confidentiality. “We’ve balanced the desire for greater transparency from some with the concerns of others about the confidentiality of their data,” Bartlett explained. Having [...]

Next month, councils across England will be given new powers to transform high streets by tackling long-term empty shops. Starting from 2 December, High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) powers will allow local authorities to auction leases for persistently vacant commercial properties, a move that is hoped will bring new businesses and community groups back to once-busy centres. Through HSRAs, councils can take action if a property remains empty for more than 365 days within a two-year period. By auctioning leases for up to five years, this policy aims to prevent disengaged landlords from sitting on empty properties, which contribute to [...]

Since coming into power, the Labour government has made its Make Work Pay plan a centrepiece of their policies. As a result, we have already seen a number of changes being proposed and implemented. This includes the new Employment Rights Bill which is currently making its way through Parliamentary processes. The government’s Make Work Pay policy paper makes interesting reading on what it intends to do. The paper outlines how the UK has seen a productivity slowdown in recent years that is more pronounced than other advanced economies. They attribute much of this to issues with the labour market, both [...]

Last week was Stress Awareness Week 2024. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) used the occasion to remind employers of their need to carry out their legal duty to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health at work. According to HSE figures, 17.1 million working days were lost to work-related stress in 2022/23. An average employee suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety takes an average of 19.6 days off work a year, almost the equivalent of a working month. Clearly, it is in an employer’s interest to do what it can to reduce and minimise stress in the [...]

As use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help with employee recruitment increases, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published guidance on key data protection considerations. While AI tools can help you improve efficiency in the hiring, there is need for caution. AI tools can unfairly exclude jobseekers from roles or compromise their privacy. ICO recently audited a number of providers and uncovered several areas where improvement is required leading to almost 300 recommendations being made. ICO plans to continue working with these businesses over coming months. The ICO is also encouraging any organisation that is planning to use an [...]

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have provisionally concluded that with certain commitments the proposed merger of Vodafone and Three would not be a competition concern. Vodafone and Three first proposed merging in June last year, however the CMA have been investigating the proposed deal because of concerns that the merger would lead to higher prices for customers as well as harming mobile virtual network operators. The CMA have identified remedies including a commitment to upgrading the merged company’s network across the UK, including 5G rollout, and short-term customer protections that would solve competition concerns and allow the merger to [...]