Previous Newsletter Articles

2010

Jan 2010

• Revenue creates new Minimum Wage enforcement team
• 90% of firms ‘close defined benefit schemes’
• Boiler scrappage scheme comes into effect
• Government hatches new 'Nest' pension scheme
• Duty change comes into effect
• Default retirement age could be scrapped
• Medical professionals' tax amnesty labelled 'unfair'
• Government gives go-ahead for supermarket watchdog
• Commission unveils new measures to tackle gender pay gap
• UK recession 'comes to an end'
• HMRC system ‘issuing wrong tax codes’, warns tax body
• Business group calls for moratorium on 'costly employment law'

2009

Dec 2009

• HMRC extends offshore tax amnesty
• Small firms 'threatened' by holiday property tax changes
• Revenue publishes new advisory fuel rates
• State pension increase 'will not apply to additional benefits'
• Osborne refuses to rule out bank bonus tax
• Businesses reminded of VAT filing changes
• Regulator drops case on bank overdraft charges
• Cheques set to be phased out
• Stamp prices to rise from April

Pre-Budget Report:

• Chancellor announces measures to 'secure recovery'
• The political reaction
• The business reactio

Nov 2009

• Call for ‘shake-up’ of inheritance laws
• Business tax increase 'will fuel unemployment'
• VAT reduction extended for New Year’s revellers
• Bank agrees £25bn stimulus to kick-start economy
• Half of small firms ‘maintaining profitability’
• Pre-Budget Report set for 9 December
• Government urged not to scrap childcare vouchers
• Majority of business rate bills ‘will fall next year’
• Start-up businesses 'need tax breaks'
• Court rules in favour of banks on overdraft charges
• Business groups react to Queen's Speech
• Report reveals gap in provision of growth capital to SMEs

Oct 2009

• IPO unveils changes to trademark application process
• Raft of new legislation comes into force
• ISA allowance increases for the over-50s
• Deadline approaching for paper Tax Returns
• Banks to provide 'more clarity' on account charges
• Banks to provide 'more clarity' on account charges
• Decision to delay new regulations 'good news for the economy'
• Property sector calls for stamp duty reform
• State pension age 'should increase to 70'
• Business group sets out plans for ‘responsible growth’
• Second home owners 'face significant losses' under new regulations
• Pensioners ‘overpaying £250 million in tax’
• Britain remains in longest recession on record

Sep 2009

• Fuel duty rises by 2p a litre
• Personal debt falls to record low
• Record £35m in Premium Bond prizes go unclaimed
• Business remains cautious on economic recovery prospects
• ‘Innocent errors’ to avoid NDO penalty
• FSB calls for big companies to take action on late payment
• Revenue and Companies House to offer common online filing facility
• Fathers to be given new paternity rights
• Darling to ‘broaden sources of finance’ for businesses
• HMRC issues new warning over fake emails
• Business issues warning following sick leave ruling
• Premium Bond prize fund up by 50%
• New pension quality mark unveiled
• Court rules in favour of default retirement age
• Government to extend car scrappage scheme
• Government to introduce new 'broadband tax'
• Cheque guarantee scheme to close in 2011

Aug 2009

• Business urges Chancellor to 'keep up the pressure' on bank lending
• Millions of workers affected by incorrect tax codes
• HMRC defers £3.17bn in tax payments
• 'Last chance tax amnesty' for offshore account holders
• Business groups condemn workplace parking tax
• Agency Workers Directive could ‘hamper economic recovery’
• Small firms gain ‘free access’ to Government contracts
• Watchdog calls for greater protection for shoppers
• Older workers 'forced into early retirement'
• Banks must disclose 'all offshore account details' to Revenue
• Late payment fee for inheritance tax 'to rise to 3%'
• VAT should be ‘scrapped on green appliances’
• Further changes to trade credit insurance 'top-up' scheme
• Share option tax breaks ‘to continue until 2018’
• Small retailers 'disappearing from the High Street'

Jul 2009

• Calls to 'rein in debt' as slow recovery predicted
• Recession prompts 'dramatic change' in the UK workplace
• Cheque guarantee cards to be phased out
• New measures to tackle UK debt
• New report suggests 'worst of the recession is over'
• Trade credit insurance claims soar
• Retirement age 'set to end' as review is brought forward
• Employers advised to prepare for swine flu pandemic
• Tax rises could ‘harm UK economy’
• Revenue sees surge in VAT overpayment claims
• Small business group calls for graduate internship scheme
• Banks ‘lending more to small firms

Jun 2009

• Plans to extend paternity leave ‘put on hold’
• Businesses 'need urgent action' to help deal with pension deficit
• Faster payments service ‘still too slow’
• Revenue tax campaign ‘to target undeclared UK income’
• Government review to examine small business recovery
• Recession cuts number of higher rate taxpayers
• Minimum wage could ‘cut number of apprenticeships’
• New advisory fuel rates published
• New BIS could ‘create more red tape for employers’
• CBI: UK economic recovery not expected until 2010
• Bank lending slumps to record low
• Government urged to act on red tape
• Takeover fraud ‘burgeoning in the recession

May 2009

• UK retains working time opt-out
• New law to expose ‘gender pay gap’
• Treasury defends Budget forecasts
• Government launches trade credit insurance ‘top–up’ scheme
• Poll reveals small firms ‘disappointed’ by Budget
• Businesses offered interest free loans to go green
• Car scrappage scheme gets underway
• Two-thirds of UK homes now online
• Bank predicts ‘slow’ economic recovery
• Revenue 'ramps up the pressure' on offshore accounts
• Older workers 'concerned about retirement prospects'
• Bank predicts ‘slow’ economic recovery

Apr 2009

• Darling delays full business rates hike
• Public ‘supports economic reform’ ahead of G20 summit
• Changes to flexible working will benefit 4.5 million
• Brown paves the way for ‘green’ Budget
• Tougher home pack rules now in force
• New tax legislation is introduced
• Darling urged to ‘support rural firms’ in forthcoming Budget
• VAT cut has ‘boosted sales’
• Businesses ‘need support’ with retaining skilled staff
• Stamp duty holiday 'could be extended'
• SMEs could ‘receive help with credit insurance’
• Budget ‘must focus on private sector’, warns BCC
• Darling defiant in face of recession
• 2009 Budget: The business reaction
• 2009 Budget: The political reaction
• 2009 Budget: Darling downgrades economic forecasts

Mar 2009

• Business group calls for national minimum wage freeze
• ‘500 banks could be targeted’ in offshore tax amnesty
• Government cap ‘undermining’ lending plan, says FPB
• UK compulsory retirement age ‘does not breach EU law’
• Government urged to delay VAT increase
• Tougher HMRC compliance regime looms
• New legislation to crack down on credit card debt
• Deflation ‘drives down’ small business costs
• Business groups criticise redundancy pay plans
• CBI calls for ‘confidence–building Budget
• Firms facing business rates hike
• Chicken and rose wine enter UK ‘shopping basket’

Feb 2009

• 'More measures needed' to help small businesses
• Record number of taxpayers meet online filing deadline
• Savings rates slump to new low
• Small business 'must have a voice' in tax spending plans
• Job cuts ‘accelerate’ amongst small firms
• Increase in late filing penalties
• Small businesses urged to bid for Government contracts
• Firms ‘retaining talent’ during downturn
• Budget date set for 22 April
• Government 'must delay £800m business laws'
• Businesses urged not to cut back on pension payments
• HMRC launches online tax help for small firms
• Small businesses ‘lose £800 a year’ to fraud

Jan 2009

• Business leaders call for freeze on minimum wage
• Redundancies should be ‘last resort’, warns CIPD
• Unemployment ‘could reach 3.1m’
• Government unveils £20bn loan scheme for business
• UK interest rates cut to record low
• Rates reform ‘could add £1.6bn to retailers’ bills’
• Businesses delay £350m tax payment
• Business condemns sick leave ruling
• Tax return fines ‘could reach £479m’
• Tougher penalties for health and safety offences
• HMRC cuts interest rates on overpaid tax to 0%
• UK fraud levels rise

2008

Dec 2008

• Discounts ‘fail to tempt’ shoppers
• Small firms ‘confused’ by Data Protection Act
• Small firms ‘reluctant’ to pass on VAT cut, warns business group
• Costly parking ‘driving shoppers away from the high street’
• Employers see ‘reduction in compliance costs’
• Bank of England cuts interest rates to 2%
• Prompt payment code is launched
• Pension fund deficit worsens
• New banking guidelines ‘to help small firms’
• Red tape deters small enterprises
• ‘Christmas tax’ worth £5.1bn
• Employers urged to watch for seasonal stress
• New advisory fuel rates come into effect
• Self Assessment date looming
• Small businesses to ‘take extended festive holiday’
• Lenders predict sharp rise in mortgage arrears
• UK business investment falls

Nov 2008

• Firms back campaign to scrap empty property tax
• HMRC relaxes self assessment penalty rules
• EU grants agency workers equal rights
• Darling announces £4bn boost for business
• Older workers face ‘increased risk of redundancy’
• Business leaders call for interest rate cut
• UK interest rates slashed to 50-year low
• High street sales ‘lowest in three years’
• Businesses targeted through skills ad campaign
• Duty limit raised for online purchases
• Internet ‘instrumental’ in surviving the downturn
• Figures show surprise rise in spending
• Buy-to-let landlords facing difficulties
• 2008 PBR: Darling takes steps to 'shorten the slowdown
• 2008 PBR: Opposition warns against 'buy now, pay later' plans
• 2008 PBR: the business reaction
• 2008 PBR: Darling downgrades economic forecasts as UK grapples with recession
• Mortgage lending down by 52% in October
• Darling cuts VAT to 15%
• Interest rates could be cut even further

Oct 2008

• Raft of new business regulations come into force
• Small business running costs ‘double UK inflation rate’
• Banking turmoil ‘could harm small businesses’, warns lobby group
• Important changes to self assessment tax system
• UK ‘already in recession’, warns business group
• Savings to be guaranteed up to £50,000
• Small businesses ‘must be at forefront’ of bank rescue package
• Credit Crunch ‘boosts ID fraud’, report claims
• Small Business Week 2008 is launched
• Bank of England cuts interest rates
• Pension payments decline as Brits rein in spending
• Businesses to face tougher health and safety penalties
• Government to ‘prioritise training for SMEs’

Sep 2008

• Stamp duty scrapped for properties under £175,000
• New guidelines to ‘improve’ ISA transfers
• HMRC issues Self Assessment deadline reminder
• Millions to benefit from tax rebate
• Interest rates decision ‘an opportunity missed’, claims FPB
• Small firms ‘confused’ by National Minimum Wage
• Business confidence slumps to new low
• FSB calls for review of parking policies to help small firms
• Apprentices to receive pay boost
• Banks lending to small firms despite ‘credit crunch’
• Pension scheme membership declines
• EU to cut mobile phone charges

Aug 2008

• New mortgage approvals fall to record low
• Family firms ‘vital’ to success of UK economy
• Debt groups urge clampdown on payday loan ‘excesses’
• Changes to R&D Tax Credits come into force
• Firms urged to prepare for PAYE changes
• Government announces ‘clamp down’ on rogue employers
• Energy firms ‘exploiting SMEs,’ claims BCC
• Health and safety reforms to ‘save small businesses £300 million’
• Identity fraud service is launched
• Employers urged to prepare for immigration reforms
• Committee calls for VAT reform to reduce business waste
• Figures show sharp rise in unemployment
• Household income drops £2,500 as credit crunch bites
• Firms urged to claim rates relief as deadline looms
• Retail group sets out PBR plans to boost consumer spending

Jul 2008

• Treasury Committee calls for ‘more action’ to help 10p tax losers
• New Equality Bill to ‘close gender pay gap’
• Business fraud climbs to unprecedented levels
• British businesses face ‘serious risk’ of recession
• Darling to increase protection for savers
• EU plans VAT cuts for local businesses
• Maternity leave ‘detrimental to women’s careers’
• UK firms ‘failing to plan’ for credit crunch
• Demise of energy watchdog ‘bad news’ for small businesses
• 2p fuel duty increase is postponed
• Consumer watchdog calls for bank account reform
• Late payment causing ‘cash flow difficulties’ for small firms

Jun 2008

• HMRC raises advisory fuel rates
• Businesses ‘ill prepared' for pension reforms
• Grocery goods ‘costing more'
• ‘Cautious welcome' for EU deal on flexible working
• Loan insurance consumers ‘overcharged by £1.4bn'
• UK workers' income ‘to fall by 53%' upon retirement'
• CBI cuts economic growth forecasts
• Small firms urged to help with Government Review
• Workers to be given right to request training
• HMRC staff cuts ‘will add to small business tax woes'
• Carbon footprint scheme for businesses is launched
• UK businesses ‘hand out' customer details

May 2008

• Chancellor unveils plans for business-Government forum
• Small firms gain free access to public sector contracts
• 'Restore postal services' for small firms, urges FPB
• Personal tax allowance to increase by £600
• Bank keeps interest rates on hold
• Consumer law reforms ‘to reduce regulatory burden'
• Government to extend flexible working rights
• Agency workers deal ‘disastrous' for small firms, claims FSB
• Plans to phase out cheques put on hold
• Treasury urged to scrap fuel tax increase
• Faster banking payment service is launched
• Financial complaints reach new high

Apr 2008

• Chancellor unveils concessionary tax deal
• Commission calls for supermarket ‘shake-up’
• Court backs OFT over ‘unfair’ bank charges
• Business group seeks to raise profile of corporation tax debate
• Consumers ‘swap credit cards for cash’
• Small business profits ‘hit by rogue sales tactics’
• Business welcomes interest rate cut
• Profit warnings hit new high
• Pensions provide only ‘modest’ income
• Businesses to pay ‘extra £4bn’ in tax, claims CBI
• New code to ‘reduce red tape’
• Small firms ‘failing to plan’ for the unexpected
• ‘Tough’ new credit rules come into force
• Businesses advised to prepare for Corporate Manslaughter Act
• UK retailers ‘failing to comply’ with online selling regulations
• Get ready for new regulations, businesses warned

Mar 2008

• Policing illegal workers ‘not a job for small business owners’
• 2008 Budget will ‘hit small businesses hard’, warns FPB
• New service to enable same-day cash transfers
• Darling poised for ‘green Budget'
• Tax ‘revamp' needed to help economy prosper, argues CBI
• Minimum Wage set to rise in October
• 2008 Budget: Darling's design for a ‘greener' future
• 2008 Budget Report: the political reaction
• 2008 Budget Report: the business reaction
• 2008 Budget Report: Darling downgrades economic growth forecasts
• Business welcomes Enterprise White Paper
• UK credit card losses pushed up by overseas fraud
• Businesses should ‘do more' to reduce employee absence

Feb 2008

• Extra funding to help early resolution of workplace disputes
• Darling fixes date for 2008 Budget
• Businesses failing to protect consumer data
• FSB in final plea ahead of 2008 Budget
• British businesses feel the pinch of ‘bureaucratic burden'
• Cheque use in rapid rate of decline

Jan 2008

• Small businesses 'hit hardest' by rising fuel costs
• Britons struggling to manage their finances this New Year
• Small firms urged to evaluate energy bills
• Submit tax returns early to avoid potential ‘ chaos'
• Businesses in ‘complete confusion' over capital gains uncertainty
• Government unveils plans to increase HMRC powers
• Businesses call on Chancellor to abolish fuel tax increase
• Government urged to reconsider new rules on ‘income shifting'
• New website to help UK businesses compete for Olympic contracts
• Darling confirms capital gains tax reforms
• Businesses to receive apprenticeship boost
• Online tax return filing ‘safe and secure' insists HMRC

2007

Dec 2007

• New patent rules to 'benefit businesses'
• Businesses 'undervalue' computer skills, says Microsoft
• Government unveils pension 'rescue' package

Nov 2007

• Government to review flexible working
• Darling defends strength of UK economy
• FSB 'disappointed' with Competition Commission report
• Online spending reaches record high
• HIPs blamed for ‘decline' in homes for sale
• Report shows gender pay gap is ‘widening'
• 25 million records lost in data security breach
• Business groups welcome new training scheme
• FPB welcomes delay to Companies Act
• New rules to guarantee cheque payment
• HIPs to be required for all properties
• Businesses face 'severe' penalties for illegal workers

Oct 2007

• Increase in minimum wage comes into force
• New rules to guarantee savings
• Consumer confidence on the rise
• Darling pledges to maintain ‘economic stability’
• 2007 Pre-Budget Report: the political reaction
• 2007 Pre-Budget Report: the business reaction
• The Pre-Budget Report and your business
• Business groups ‘left reeling' by tax reforms
• Darling faces criticism over spending commitment to flood defences
• Credit crisis deepens as one million pay mortgage on card
• Government to review pension schemes
• Business groups united against supplementary business rates
• ‘Insufficient' support on employment law for small businesses

Sep 2007

• SME banking controls 'set to be lifted'
• Think tank calls for November bank holiday
• One in four people 'have no savings'
• Business group calls for payment of e-filing incentives
• Minimum wage laws see first criminal prosecution
• 'Touch and pay' card hits the High Street
• Small firms 'hit by credit crisis'
• Tour operators lose Air Passenger Duty case
• HIPS come into force for three-bedroom homes
• Pre-Budget Report 'could target gas guzzlers'
• New single penalty regime for incorrect tax returns
• Small businesses urged to claim rate relief
• Inheritance tax to hit '135 more homes a day'
• Brown pledges a Britain 'of all the talents'
• Taxman homes in on offshore accounts

Aug 2007

• HMRC threatens to close 'loophole' following Arctic Systems decision
• Pensions Bill 2007 receives Royal Assent
• Home Information Packs launched
• Pre-Budget Report to take place in October
• MPs lend support to supplementary business rates
• Revenue to target 100,000 offshore account holders
• Business group calls for action on small business issues
• Business fraud 'sees 42% increase'
• Pensions go back into the black
• Revenue withdraws VAT recovery on home computers
• HIPs extended to three-bedroom houses
• Same-day banking system 'suffers delays'

Jul 2007

• Brown's new Government 'must put small firms first'
• Business responds to new EU treaty
• Workplace smoking ban extends to whole of UK
• Speed cameras net Treasury £15 million surplus
• Brown to revamp DTI
• E-waste recycling laws come into effect
• HMRC plans to take unpaid tax directly from bank accounts
• ‘Inexcusable’ number of companies breaking data protection rules
• Insurance companies consider flood claims
• Government releases guidance on new holiday entitlement
• Small business wins landmark family tax case
• Credit card debt 'could last for 30 years'

Jun 2007

• Savings 'best buy' tables come under fire
• Home info packs to be delayed
• Internet shopping sales reach £100bn
• Landmark tax case returns to the courtroom
• Mental illness 'is second greatest cause' of absenteeism
• Banks 'must do more' to locate owners of dormant accounts
• Workers plan to postpone retirement beyond 65
• FSB warns that postal strike must be averted
• Offshore account holders 'must declare their accounts'
• Cap set for Personal Accounts pension scheme
• DTI outlines plans to extend holiday entitlement
• Consumers and businesses 'could get more' from the internet

May 2007

• Small business banking comes under fire
• Workers warned over 'pensions poverty'
• Home Information Packs 'raise significant opposition'
• Business group calls for £17bn tax cut
• Firms 'unaware' of R&D tax relief
• New record for insolvencies
• CBI creates new Tax Task Force
• Interest rate rise 'threatens economic growth'
• New legislation to crack down on illegal working
• Small businesses 'could face surprise tax raids'
• Government outlines 'road pricing' plans
• Business welcomes planning shake-up

Apr 2007

• Business group issues warning on 'Red Tape Friday'
• Workplace absence 'costs £13.4bn a year'
• Spring sunshine boosts retail sales
• HMRC announces 'tax amnesty' for offshore income
• Inflation rise sparks interest rate fears
• 'Broadband Britain' faces new challenges
• Report expresses concerns over Budget measures
• Business group calls for official recognition of workplace training
• Employers 'should help workers' to quit smoking

Mar 2007

• 2007 Budget 'must be Chancellor's best'
• Business red tape burden 'exceeds £55bn'
• New guidance for employers on age laws
• CBI calls for corporation tax cut
• Small business welcomes Companies Act plans
• National Minimum Wage to rise again
• UK economy 'reaches a fork in the road'
• Government unveils new 'carbon budgets'
• Skilled jobs 'could disappear', warns business group
• A Budget for business?
• Business reacts to Budget measures
• Budget 2007: The political response
• Raising the education leaving age 'is not enough'
• The Budget Debate: business winners and losers
• What's in the nation's shopping basket?

Feb 2007

• Business leaders call for 'radical action' on tax
• SMEs told to plan for the unexpected
• Business calls on Government to close '£17bn transport gap'
• VAT scheme extended for SMEs
• Business rejects call for 'flexible working for all'
• Employers urged to 'take the skills pledge'
• Business group issues warning over supermarket inquiry
• Rise in air tax takes effect
• Chancellor confirms plans to raise school-leaving age
• Small business group issues insurance warning
• Lone parents benefits come under scrutiny
• New trade laws 'could damage UK business'
• Promotion prospects are top priority for employees
• Christmas provides welcome sales boost
• Self assessment figures 'hit new record'

Jan 2007

• Small business presents New Year Resolutions
• Workers 'contribute £23bn' in unpaid overtime
• Union threatens self assessment strike action
• Political changes means business uncertainty
• Business reacts to new minimum wage fines
• Climate change 'offers key business opportunities'
• Job applicants 'making basic errors'
• Inflation hits 10-year high
• Child Trust Fund aims to tackle mothers' 'greatest money worry'
• School leaving age set to rise to 18
• Holiday entitlements set to rise