HLAS

A recent case involving a former employee of Enterprise Rent-A-Car underscores the critical importance of robust data protection measures. Jonathan Riches, 46, was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,700 in costs after admitting to illegally accessing motorists' personal details. This data breach, which took place between 2009 and 2011, involved Mr Riches using his former connections at Enterprise to obtain sensitive information for personal injury claims. According to the Information Commissioner’s Office, he made hundreds of thousands of pounds in financial gain as a result. After previously settling a civil case with Enterprise for £300,000, Mr Riches fled to [...]

The Department for Education released the latest annual update to Student Loan interest rates last week. Different rates and thresholds will apply depending on the type of student loan, with the new rates effective from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025. Payroll managers may want to take note of these changes, as staff with student loans may notice a difference in their deductions in their September pay packet and could raise queries. For full details of the rates, visit: Student Loans Interest Rates and Repayment Threshold Announcement

Andrew Paul Bird, a 60-year-old former investment firm director from Quarndon, Derbyshire, has been subjected to the maximum 15-year bankruptcy restrictions after being found guilty of defrauding investors. Mr Bird misled 13 individuals and couples into investing in a fraudulent scheme between 2011 and 2016, promising secure returns while exposing them to significant financial risks for his personal gain. Mr Bird was first declared bankrupt in November 2016 and became subject to an interim Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (BRO) in January 2018. This order was put in place to prevent further harm while he awaited trial. On August 1, 2024, Mr [...]

A small business based in Barnsley, Slime Party UK, has successfully secured government-backed funding, enabling it to significantly expand its operations, create new jobs, and develop additional product lines. This success story offers a valuable blueprint for other small businesses aiming to grow, particularly those looking to enter or expand into export markets. Slime Party UK’s Journey: From Kitchen to Global Markets Slime Party UK started as a modest kitchen project by its founder, Ruby Sheldon, creating a mess-free variety of sensory putty. The business quickly gained momentum and now supplies some of the largest toy retailers worldwide. However, despite [...]

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have announced an introduction to Active Cyber Defence 2.0. Because NCSC is part of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) it has access to unique information that can help it to supplement the commercial market in providing defences against cyber attacks. NCSC already provides a suite of services that can help organisations protect themselves against cyber threats, most of which began in 2017. Since cyber capabilities of organisations generally have evolved, as do cyber threats, NCSC is looking to put together a next generation suite of services under Active Cyber Defence 2.0 (ACD 2.0). The original [...]

Wastewater Fuels, based in Warwickshire, has developed an innovative technology that harnesses energy from wastewater. The process employs stainless steel mesh rods to break down organic material in wastewater into hydrogen ions, which are then converted into hydrogen gas and stored within the rods. This technology has undergone several successful trials, and a full-scale sewage facility using this method has now been approved for production. The potential of this new technology is significant. Currently, approximately 2-3% of National Grid energy is utilised for treating wastewater at around 9,000 water treatment sites nationwide. A method that treats wastewater while simultaneously generating [...]

The government has announced its plan to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023. The Act was initially introduced to ensure that minimum service levels were upheld during strikes, especially in critical sectors vital to public safety, health, and welfare, such as healthcare, transportation, education, and emergency services. Despite a series of high-profile strikes this year, no employer has utilised the legislation, and it has not contributed to resolving disputes. The Act will be officially repealed as part of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which is set to be introduced in the coming weeks. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-services-back-on-track-as-strikes-act-to-be-repealed

Small Business Britain has opened registrations for the September session of the Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme. This six-week, CPD-accredited course is tailored for small businesses, providing sole traders and micro-businesses with expert guidance and mentoring to support their growth. The programme is free and will be conducted entirely online, making it accessible from anywhere in the UK with an internet connection. To celebrate participants' achievements, an in-person event will also be held. For more details and to register, visit: https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/small-and-mighty

Last week, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) announced that 98% of eligible farmers have now received their first instalment of the new delinked payments. The second instalment is due to be paid from 30 September. This is earlier than originally planned. According to RPA Chief Executive Paul Caldwell, the payment has been brought forward “to make sure farmers are paid promptly to improve cash flow during this challenging period.” Farmers will receive support via delinked payments until 2027. The delinked payments are based on the average BPS payment received by the farm for the 2020 to 2022 scheme years. Progressive [...]

The Bank of England’s decision to reduce the base rate to 5% means that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will also reduce their interest rates. The interest rates charged by HM Revenue and Customs on late tax payments, as well as the rates they pay on repayments are linked to the Bank of England’s base rate. Late payment interest is charged at base rate plus 2.5%. Repayment interest is paid at base rate minus 1%, subject to a minimum of 0.5%. The reduced rates will apply from: 12 August 2024 for quarterly instalment payments; and 20 August 2024 for non-quarterly [...]