HLAS

On Monday, 9th September, the newly established Labour Market Advisory Board, appointed by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP, held its inaugural meeting. This board is a distinguished collective of experts from business, industrial relations, and academia, assembled to address what is being termed the "greatest employment challenge for a generation." What’s the Big Issue? The UK is grappling with a notable employment crisis. It is the only G7 country whose employment and inactivity rates have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Currently, nearly 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness, impacting not just individuals [...]

Business Finance Week 2024 will run from 24 September to 2 October and includes a variety of national and regional in-person events and webinars. Business Finance Week is hosted by British Business Bank along with their various partners and can help smaller businesses learn about the various finance options that are available to help them. Events are being held to cover aspects of finance related to starting your business, innovating, and working capital. For a full list of the events available and to register, see: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/news-and-events/events/business-finance-week

The Risk Reduction Through Design Awards 2024/25, sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF), are now open for nominations. These awards are designed to recognise UK employers who have successfully minimised workplace risks, particularly those associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Focus on Musculoskeletal Disorders MSDs, which encompass injuries affecting the back, joints, and limbs, remain a major concern across various industries. The awards aim to celebrate companies that have made effective design changes to their work environments or processes, leading to significant reductions in musculoskeletal risks. This could involve [...]

As HMRC ramps up its efforts to tackle National Minimum Wage (NMW) noncompliance, ensuring that your business adheres to NMW regulations is crucial. Compliance can be more complex than it seems, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be significant. HMRC is targeting SMEs HMRC appears to be focusing on SMEs, particularly in regions such as Belfast, Liverpool, East Anglia, Watford, and the North East, with plans to expand to more areas in the future. Key areas of NMW compliance to watch While paying the correct NMW rate is essential, compliance extends beyond this. Here are some critical areas [...]

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has announced a bluetongue restricted zone across Norfolk and Suffolk after several confirmed cases of Bluetongue virus (BTV3) in the area. As of 30 August, all cattle, sheep, and other ruminant and camelid keepers within this region are required to adhere to strict regulations concerning the movement of animals and germinal products. Essential movements within the restricted zone in Norfolk and Suffolk are allowed without a licence, but transporting these animals outside the area requires a specific licence. Bluetongue is primarily spread through bites from infected midges and poses no threat to humans. Meat and [...]

The Plan 1 student loan interest rate reduced to 6% (from 6.25%) from 30 August. This rate change applies across the UK with the Department for Education (DfE), the Welsh Government and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland (DfE NI) all confirming the change. The reduction follows the Bank of England Base Rate changing to 5% earlier in August. Those running payrolls and payroll bureaus should notice a reduction in student loan deductions for relevant employees in their September payrolls. If not, you may need to confirm that your payroll software has correctly updated. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-to-plan-1-student-loan-interest-rate-announcement

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics last week reveal that the UK economy saw no growth in July 2024. This marks the second consecutive month without growth, as June also showed no change. However, when looking at the three months ending in July, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – a key indicator of economic health – grew by 0.5% compared to the quarter ending in April. These figures suggest the economy is entering a period of stagnation after the growth and optimism experienced earlier this year. What could this mean for your business? Often, GDP figures reflect what you’ve [...]

Barratt Developments, the UK's largest housebuilder, has announced a dramatic drop in pre-tax profits, down by 75% for the year ending June 2024. The company completed just 14,000 homes during this period, a notable decrease from the 17,000 homes delivered the previous year. Projections for the upcoming year suggest even lower figures, with estimates ranging between 13,000 and 13,500 homes. For businesses within the construction and property sectors, this downturn may signal difficult times ahead. High interest rates are discouraging potential buyers, while rising inflation is driving up costs, creating a ripple effect throughout the supply chain. If housebuilders like [...]

Last week, Companies House confirmed that their online services will move to the GOV.UK One Login beginning from autumn 2024. The GOV.UK One Login is becoming an increasingly important way of accessing government digital services. It means that you only need one account, one username, and one password to access a range of government services. The Login is already used for a number of government services, including those related to being an apprenticeship provider, finding and applying for grants, and in Wales to manage fishing permits and catch returns. Ultimately, the GOV.UK One Login will be used to access all [...]

In a recent case reported by the Insolvency Service, two connected corporate rescue firms, Atherton Corporate (UK) Ltd and Atherton Corporate Rescue Limited, have been shut down by the UK courts. Trading under the Atherton brand, these companies claimed to provide struggling business owners with a legal alternative to formal insolvency procedures. However, they misled clients by encouraging them to sell their financially distressed businesses in a manner that allowed them to avoid liquidation while retaining company assets, without accepting responsibility for the company’s debts. This scheme was supported by five associated companies that purchased the distressed businesses, appointing new [...]