What if?

Any planned change will be targeted at a specific issue – say, reduce sales prices to win more customers and increase footfall – but actions of this kind have knock-on effects. For example, what effect will the proposed reduction in sales

Winter lock-down?

We have made passing references to business planning in recent articles published to this newsfeed; about the need to secure and plan your bank resources to better cope with the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Government seems to be preparing us for

Sports facilities to open this month

In a surprising move, the government has given permission for sports facilities in England to begin reopening. Initial projections had suggested that gyms would be closed until at least the Autumn when it was hoped that the virus is more completely

Job Retention Bonus

One of the measures announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak in his recent Summer Statement was the introduction of the Job Retention Bonus. This bonus is designed to encourage employers to bring back furloughed workers as the benefits of the

Holiday package refunds

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a COVID-19 taskforce in March 2020 to identify any commercial practices that adversely affect consumers and to take enforcement action if a firm breaches consumer protection law and fails to

Sending forms to Companies House – coronavirus update

Companies House has developed and launched a new temporary online service to upload and send completed forms during the Coronavirus outbreak. The online service was first launched at the beginning of June. The latest release of the upload a document

Companies House restarts voluntary strike-off process

Companies House has announced the restart of the process for companies that have applied for voluntary strike-off, from 10 September 2020. All voluntary strike-off applications were suspended in March 2020 in response to the Coronavirus

Want to trial the MTD for Income Tax process?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) will fundamentally change the way businesses, the self-employed and landlords interact with HMRC. The regime will require businesses and individuals to register, file, pay and update their information using an online tax

Controls for importing goods from July 2021

As we reported previously, the UK government has confirmed that it will neither accept nor seek any extension to the Brexit transition period which expires on 31 December 2020. The EU has formally accepted this position.

The UK has taken the

Temporary 5% VAT rate and the Flat Rate Scheme

HMRC has published new guidance for VAT registered businesses in the hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions sectors. This new guidance follows the Chancellor’s announcement in the Summer Statement of a temporary reduction in the VAT

Property nil-rate thresholds raised in Scotland and Wales

The Scottish and Welsh governments have both confirmed increases in their respective nil-rate thresholds for stamp duty purposes. This follows the announcement of an increase in the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) nil-rate band in England and Northern

Summer Statement

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak continued with his campaign to support the business and jobs community today, 8 July 2020, as firms engage with the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the measures taken to control infection.

The main

Tax Credits updates required this month

Families and individuals that receive tax credits should ensure that they review their tax credit claims by 31 July 2020. Claimants who do not inform HMRC about relevant changes in their circumstances by the deadline date may have their payments

Reminder of businesses opening since 4 July 2020

A reminder that since 4 July 2020, many business sectors have been given permission to reopen in England. The businesses are expected to follow COVID-19 secure guidelines.

The categories of businesses that have been allowed to reopen

Reminder of businesses not opening 4 July 2020

There are business sectors that have not yet been given permission to reopen in England. There has been no indication given as to when these businesses will be able to reopen.

Government guidance lists the following businesses that currently need to