HLAS

A tragic incident at the Tamworth Snowdome has highlighted the critical need for businesses to properly assess and manage health and safety risks. The incident Twelve-year-old Louis Watkiss tragically lost his life during a tobogganing birthday party at the indoor skiing venue on 24 September 2021. While descending the main ski slope, his toboggan collided with a staff member conducting a slope walk. The impact caused the staff member to fall backward onto Louis, resulting in fatal head injuries. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Snowdome Limited was found to have failed in its duty to [...]

A new deal for GPs has been agreed between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA). Proposed reforms that were accepted by the BMA include an overall funding uplift of £889 million for the 2025/26 GMS contract. This represents a 7.2% boost to the contract, which is higher than the increase to the NHS budget as a whole. However, the BMA’s acceptance of the funding uplift was given on the proviso that the government commits to renegotiating a completely new national contract within this parliament. They are looking for confirmation of this in writing by mid March 2025. The [...]

The Future of Roads Minister, Lillian Greenwood, has confirmed that the plug-in van grant will be extended for another year, providing continued support for businesses investing in electric vehicles. This grant allows businesses to receive:Up to £2,500 for an eligible small van (up to 2.5 tonnes)Up to £5,000 for an eligible larger van (up to 4.25 tonnes) The discount is applied directly through the dealer or manufacturer, meaning buyers do not need to apply for the grant separately. In addition, the government is scrapping the extra training requirements for zero-emission vans, ensuring that electric vehicle users are not subject to [...]

The Public Procurement Act 2023, originally set for implementation on 28 October 2024, has now officially come into force. This legislation introduces new rules designed to make it easier for smaller businesses to compete for and win public sector contracts. Key changes under the Act The Act establishes clear rules that all public bodies must follow when buying goods and services. One of the most significant updates is the introduction of a Central Digital Platform. This is now available and allows businesses to register their details and access all potential bidding opportunities in one place. An end to late payments [...]

Recent reports indicate that the Chancellor has drawn up draft plans for spending cuts to welfare and other government departments. At the time of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stated there was a £9.9 billion buffer within the Chancellor’s self-imposed borrowing rules. However, the OBR’s spring forecast is expected to reveal that this buffer has disappeared due to recent events, including trade tariffs, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, and increased borrowing costs. One possible alternative could be for the Chancellor to adjust her borrowing rules. However, this would risk damaging credibility with financial markets, [...]

The government has announced its plans for new policies that it expects will make farming more profitable. The new policies include: Seasonal Worker visa route to be extended for another 5 years. New requirements for government catering contracts that aim for at least 50% of food supplied coming from British producers or those certified to higher environmental standards. Funding for technology investment. Protecting farmers in future trade deals. Setting up a new National Biosecurity Centre that will upgrade the Animal and Plant Health Agency animal health facility at Weybridge and help to improve resilience against animal disease. Steve Reed, the [...]

The UK government has announced a major funding boost for rural areas, with up to £38 million allocated to support infrastructure, essential services, and business growth in the countryside. The aim is that the funding will help to create jobs and drive economic growth while improving quality of life for rural communities. Rural England Prosperity Fund given £33 million A significant portion of this investment, up to £33 million, will be directed to the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The fund’s goal is to strengthen the rural economy and is designed to improve local infrastructure and essential services while supporting [...]

The creative industries provide about £124 billion to the UK economy, with the cultural sector supporting 666,000 jobs. However, many arts and culture related venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings are struggling. The Arts Everywhere Fund will provide additional financial support to the creative industry, particularly aimed at organisations in urgent need of financial support to stay up and running and to carry out vital infrastructure work. The government sees the creative sector as having potential for growth and is hoping this support will drive growth and help to create opportunities for young people to learn creative skills and protect [...]

The Charity Commission have launched a statutory inquiry into Zlotchiv over concerns about its financial controls. It appears that irregularities in the charity’s financial management include a series of bounced cheques from the charity’s bank account alongside payments that appear to be related party payments but were not disclosed by the charity in its annual returns. A statutory inquiry allows the Charity Commission to formally investigate and use protective powers for benefiting the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation. Once the extent of risk has been determined, the Commission will decide what action is needed. The inquiry emphasises the [...]

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) have published an insight piece based on a study carried out by technology market analyst, IDC. The study indicates that AI could help CFOs with some of their biggest challenges, but only if it is human-centred. Finance teams in businesses need to build practical applications of AI that work along with them instead of replacing them. The study confirms, as has been seen in the wider press in recent weeks, that over reliance on AI in finance could lead to mistakes. However, having the correct goals and properly understanding workflow [...]