Streets Chartered Accountants covers tax, national insurance, pensions and more in its latest monthly news roundup. Corporation Tax marginal rate The Corporation Tax main rate for companies with profits in excess of £250,000 increased to 25% on 1 April 2023…read more Marriage allowance entitlement The marriage allowance applies to married couples and those in a civil partnership where a spouse or civil partner does not pay tax or pay tax above the basic rate threshold for Income Tax…read more Income Tax – £5,000 savings zero rate band If you have taxable income of less than £17,570 in 2023-24 tax year you will have no tax to pay on interest received…read more CGT – Lettings relief In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on a property which has been used as the main family residence…read more IHT – Giving away your home before you die The majority of gifts made during a person’s life, including gifting a home, are not subject to tax at the time of the gift…read more Filling gaps in National Insurance record National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record…read more NIC changes for the self-employed In the recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced two important changes to National Insurance contributions (NIC) for the self-employed…read more NIC changes for employees from 6 January 2024 In the recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a significant change to National Insurance contributions (NIC) for employees…read more Tax relief on pension contributions Taxpayers can usually claim tax relief for their private pension contributions…read more Help to Save bonus payments The Help to Save scheme is intended to help those on low incomes to boost their savings…read more Due a student loan refund? Student Loans are part of the government’s financial support package for students in higher education in the UK…read more Childcare support from HMRC Parents may be eligible to receive childcare support from HMRC using the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme…read more Current State Pension age The second review of the State Pension age has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions. The State Pension age is currently 66…read more Paying tax by direct debit One of the many ways that payments can be made to HMRC is by using a direct debit…read more Tax Diary December 2023/ January 2024 1 December 2023 – Due date for Corporation Tax payable for the year ended 28 February 2023. 19 December 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 December 2023 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 December 2023). 19 December 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 December 2023. 19 December 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 December 2023 is payable by today. 30 December 2023 – Deadline for filing 2022-23 self-assessment tax returns online to include a claim for under payments to be collected via tax code in 2024-25. 1 January 2024 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 March 2023. 19 January 2024 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 January 2024 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 January 2024). 19 January 2024 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 January 2024. 19 January 2024 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 January 2024 is payable by today. 31 January 2024 – Last day to file 2022-23 self-assessment tax returns online. 31 January 2024 – Balance of self-assessment tax owing for 2022-23 due to be settled on or before today unless you have elected to extend this deadline by formal agreement with HMRC. Also due is any first payment on account for 2023-24. Read more

Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, helps you prepare to pitch the media.

According to my research, you better watch out.

I am also reliably informed from my network of sources that you better not cry.

Don’t even think about pouting.

The reason for these tips?

Simple, Santa Claus is on a deadline.

Of course, being a diligent type, he’s making a list and doubtless will be checking it twice.

Clearly, this will then help him discover who’s been naughty or nice

Because as you might have realised, Santa Claus is on a deadline.

Now, deconstruction of favourite Christmas tunes aside, which list do you think you’d be on if you were really honest about the way you pitch the media and deal with reporters? That is assuming that you do actually do this of course. I realise that to many people, the very notion of “reaching out” to the media is right up there with sticking pins in their eyes or watching another HILARIOUS episode of “Mrs Brown’s Boys” whilst forcing down another mince pie. However, for those brave souls who might be planning to pitch the media as part of their marketing new year’s resolutions, or for anyone who might need a refresher after a “challenging” year of less than stellar pitching, here’s how to make the Nice list and avoid the Naughty list.

1. Have a list

Stands to reason, right? There’s no point attempting to run a PR campaign, even if it is just a one-off, without a target list of IDEAL reporters/media that your audience follows.

2. Check that list (more than twice)

Just because it is ideal to you does not mean you are ideal to them. Can you genuinely add value to the reporter and their audience/s? If so, there is a win/win.

3. Learn what they want

Not every reporter works to the same deadlines and many work for a huge range of different titles. Some will only want exclusives, some want quick comments.

4. Check how they want to be pitched

Twitter/X is a goldmine for this. Most reporters prefer an email NOT a phone call. Some prefer a DM and will openly ask for them having opened them for a pitching window.

5. Answer the question/be useful

Journalists are not there to advertise your business or build your profile, they are there to entertain, educate and inform their audience. Help them do that and you will do well.

6. Don’t try and wangle the angle

There’s a fine line between opportunism and just being…well, you know. If a reporter is seeking comment on X, don’t pitch them Y. If they want to hear about NEW products, don’t pitch them something old or that has been out a few months. NEWs – the clue is in the word.

7. Check the requirements

If the reporter says that they NEED a case study or stats, it isn’t a whim, it is a prerequisite. Don’t waste their time pitching your angle if you can’t meet their needs.

8. Meet the deadline

Nothing will irritate a reporter more than uncovering a great story or handy comment and then being delayed by dawdling from the business. Be sure that you CAN meet the deadline and the wordcount BEFORE you promise you can.

9. Picture the scene

A lot of media opportunities will at least need a “head shot” of the person quoted. Make sure you have some professional pics that are high resolution and don’t lurk under a whacking great company logo. You can send the logo pic (worth a crack) but always have the safe back up. PS don’t send a pic of you on holiday or cropped from a group shot. We can tell.

10. Don’t b*gger off

Be available in case the reporter needs extra info. Sometimes it is just clarification or they might want more from you. If they get your “out of office” reply or go to your voicemail it is highly likely they will move on. If you are around but ONLY for them, make that clear when you pitch. So, looking at those tips, which list would you be on if you assessed yourself on your efforts in 2023 or if you were thinking about pitching the media in 2024? If you need a hand getting on the Nice list, just leave a mince pie and a glass of something nice in my inbox.   A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the December issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

Glowfrog, a renowned video production company based in Derby, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new premises in Nottingham. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the company’s ability to serve businesses in Nottingham and surrounding areas more efficiently, while maintaining its commitment to delivering top-notch corporate video production services. Having already successfully catered to a diverse range of clients across the East Midlands, Glowfrog’s expansion to Nottingham is a testament to its continued growth and dedication to meeting the evolving needs of businesses in the region. The new location enables the company to provide a more localised and responsive service to clients in Nottingham, ensuring quick and direct access to its award-winning video production expertise.   Local Presence, Global Excellence: While Nottingham already boasts several video production companies, Glowfrog stands out as a pioneer in the industry, bringing with it a superior level of creativity, professionalism, and an extensive track record of producing high-quality corporate videos. As an award-winning video production service, the company prides itself on its ability to deliver visually compelling content that not only meets but exceeds client expectations. Meeting the Video Production Needs of Nottingham Businesses: The move to Nottingham is not just about expanding physical presence but also about being attuned to the specific needs of businesses in the area. By establishing a local base, Glowfrog aims to provide a tailored and responsive approach to the video production requirements of Nottingham’s thriving business community. About: Glowfrog is an East Midlands based video production company with a focus on delivering award-winning corporate video production service. The company is committed to setting new standards of excellence in the Nottingham business landscape. For more information, visit www.glowfrogvideo.com. Contact: Director – Matt Middleton Glowfrog Video Production Nottingham Westminster B., Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 6LG Tel: 0115 772 0465 Email: hello@glowfrogvideo.com

Drivers are avoiding one of the East Midlands’ major roads and businesses are spending hundreds of pounds on vehicle maintenance due to its poor condition, according to a new survey of the A1 by Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM). Congestion, poor road conditions and signage, junction safety and accidents are the major concerns of the 1,100 people and businesses surveyed around Newark, Retford, Worksop, Stamford and Grantham. More than 60% of 1,000 drivers surveyed felt unsafe travelling on the A1, with nearly half reporting either being in an accident on the road themselves, or knowing someone who had. More than 70% say they have avoided travelling on it. Parliament has been told that there have been 27 deaths on the A1 in the East Midlands between 2015 and 2020, and more than 200 incidents where it had to be closed – sometimes for hours on end. Of 100 businesses surveyed by TfEM, all have had to pay for maintenance or repairs due to the road’s condition, with more than 60% saying they have paid between £300-£1,000. Nearly all reported changing the way they operate to accommodate the road’s condition, such as planning different routes, hiring drivers experienced in using the A1, and carrying out risk assessments. The A1 is the UK’s longest road and a nationally significant freight artery linking Scotland, the North, and the Midlands with London and the South East. It also plays a key role in the East Midlands economy, particularly for the agri-food, logistics, manufacturing and tourism industries. Up to 100,000 homes and employment growth are also planned along the A1 corridor in the region. Several sections of the road have already been upgraded to A1M motorway standard through Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and parts of the North East. However the 72-mile stretch that serves 1.9 million people between Stamford in Lincolnshire and Worksop/Retford in Nottinghamshire remains an unlit dual carriageway with no CCTV monitoring. Some of the A1’s entry and exit lanes in the East Midlands are short and – unlike motorways – there are also crossing points where vehicles can drive directly across carriageways. The surveys’ findings follow research published by Midlands Connect earlier this month, which found that delays on this part of the A1 are costing the regional economy around £1.75m every year – equating to commuters losing around £1,400 every day and HGV drivers losing just under £514,000 a year. Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of TfEM and elected Mayor of Leicester, said: “This survey adds the voices of local people and businesses to the mounting evidence that the A1 is not fit for purpose in the East Midlands. “In the past few years, there have been 27 fatal accidents on this stretch of the A1 – significantly higher than average for an A-road dual carriageway – and more than 200 road closures, some of which have lasted up to 10 hours. This is an appalling human cost and unacceptable. “While the forthcoming National Highways safety work to improve the road’s lane markings and signage is very welcome, what we really need is a more strategic approach to enhancing the route to improve reliability and resilience and bring the A1 in the East Midlands up to a standard that reflects its national and regional economic role.” Improving the safety and reliability of the A1 is one of Transport for the East Midlands’ and Midlands Connect’s shared priorities for the region’s cities and counties. Political leaders across the East Midlands are supporting TfEM’s call for action. Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Melton, who also chairs the A1 Group of MPs, said: “As I have made clear in parliament, the A1 is failing us as a critical economic artery. It has also taken a heart-breaking toll on people’s lives and the concerns these surveys highlight about the road’s safety should set alarm bells ringing. “This is an ‘A’ road with sub-standard junctions and right turn movements, accident blackspots and a lack of resilience or alternative routes during closures. Critically, there is also a lack of safety technology, including CCTV and even SoS telephones, so those in danger are unable to get the help that they need. “As a matter of urgency, we need to see a clear plan to address these concerns. Too many people have lost their lives on the A1, and the toll it is taking on businesses and communities is unacceptable. Its safety infrastructure must be raised to a higher standard.” Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Newark’s position on the A1 and A46 means it’s in a great economic position with links to the north, south, east and west and a safe and a reliable transport network is enormously important to our residents and local businesses. “The Council has been raising safety concerns regarding the A1 for some time, particularly with traffic queuing to get off the A1 onto the A46 and into Newark. Accidents on the A1 can quickly cause gridlock in Newark and there is a clear case for upgrading the safety infrastructure on the A1 and ensuring people feel safer and delays and congestion are better managed. “If people are seeking alternatives to the A1 because they feel it’s unsafe, or businesses are spending lots on repair bills when they use it, that is a significant cause for concern.” Cllr Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, added: “The A1 is a hugely important artery for our whole region, and hasn’t really been fit for purpose for a long time. Investment in bringing this road up to motorway-levels of safety infrastructure would be most welcome, and the survey demonstrates the strength of local concerns. “The quality and capacity limitations of the A1 could hold back our economy, too. Major investments such as the £20bn STEP Fusion project – developing a world-first fusion power plant near the A1 at Retford and bringing in a huge amount of inward investment to the region – will not be able to deliver the maximum benefit to local people without these infrastructure improvements. “Government’s commitment to investment here would be very beneficial.” The campaign to improve the A1 in the East Midlands is also being supported by business and transport organisations nationally and regionally, including the Road Haulage Association, which represents thousands of businesses in the road transport industry. James Barwise, the RHA’s Policy Advisor, said: “It’s unacceptable that there have been 27 deaths on the A1 in the East Midlands between 2015 and 2020, and more than 200 incidents where it had to be closed. Something has gone badly wrong when a third of drivers are saying they avoid driving on one of our most important roads because they’re worried for their own safety. “Improving our roads is absolutely vital in connecting our cities and improving our economic productivity, but never more so when it’s needed to save lives.” The importance of a resilient transport network in the East Midlands has also been highlighted in a new East Midlands All Party Parliamentary Group Report. It calls for greater certainty on the delivery of major infrastructure projects in the region following an inquiry into the social and economic opportunities of investment, in the wake of the cancellation of HS2 to the East Midlands and the Government’s publication of ‘Network North’.

A fund operated by the University of Derby and Derbyshire County Council to support organisations to develop green energy and carbon reduction schemes has won a national award. The Green Entrepreneurs Programme, a £2 million grant fund open to individuals and organisations looking to invest in and develop projects that support the drive towards the UK’s target of net zero carbon by 2050, was named Sustainability Innovation Champion – Organisation category at the Innovation Awards, organised by the Technology Supply Chain. Among the organisations which have benefitted from funding is the Arkwright Society Ltd, which received a £198,000 grant towards reinstating renewable hydro energy at Cromford Mills. The project has also been backed by the Severn Trent Community Fund and businesses, including Vaillant. Mark Wheddon, head of delivery, innovation and research at the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted to win this award in recognition of our partnership with Derbyshire County Council that supports so many innovative projects in the county as we move towards net zero carbon. “It is inspiring to see the resourcefulness and creativity of individuals and organisations here in Derbyshire, and it is rewarding to be able to contribute towards initiatives that are making a real difference to our sustainable future.” Councillor Tony King, the county council’s cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, said: “We recognise the contribution our business community can make towards meeting our target of becoming a net zero county by 2050. “We’re proud that through the Green Entrepreneurs Programme and our partnership with the University of Derby, we’ve been able to support local firms to develop green energy and cut carbon emissions as part of our net-zero ambitions.” Dr Richard Fallon, chief executive of the Technology Supply Chain, said: “The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward innovation across the UK and internationally. “Our winners are considered best-in-class, and it is a pleasure to celebrate their achievements. This is a great win for the work done by the University of Derby in supporting SMEs in their region with much needed green innovation.”