- Increasing the Employment Allowance to £5,000.
- Taking an additional 200,000 community small businesses in levelling up target areas out of the business rates system by increasing the rateable value ceiling for small business rates relief to £25,000, and extending a one-year relief on business rates increases linked to property investments in plant and machinery.
- Extending support with energy costs being allocated via the council tax system to micro businesses via the business rates system, and launching a Help To Green initiative to spur on-site renewable generation.
- Delivering on pledges to end the UK’s poor payment culture by making Audit Committees directly responsible for ensuring best practice within supply chains.
- Expanding and making permanent a statutory sick pay rebate for small firms whilst continuing with incentives in England to take on apprentices and T Level placements.
- Widening eligibility for the Help To Grow Digital and Management initiatives to the 750,000 small firms currently excluded from them.
- Simplifying the R&D tax credit system to make it more accessible for small businesses without having to use paid intermediaries.
FSB urges Chancellor to deliver on low tax pledge at Spring Statement as 280,000 firms stand on the brink
The FSB is urging the Chancellor to make next week’s Spring Statement “a rallying point” for businesses as surging operating costs, supply chain disruption and labour shortages make it increasingly difficult for firms to invest and expand.
In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the FSB recommends interventions aimed at addressing “foundational issues” in the UK economy against a backdrop of declining business confidence.
The move follows a pledge from the Chancellor last month to create “a new culture of enterprise”. In his Mais lecture, Sunak stated that he “firmly believe[s] in lower taxes”, adding that “the marginal pound our country produces is far better spent by individuals and businesses than government.”
He is set to confirm an £18bn collective annual increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) and dividend taxation at his Spring Statement next week. There is also speculation that the Treasury may scrap the R&D tax credit incentive for small research-intensive businesses in favour of supporting larger companies.
In his correspondence with the Chancellor, the new FSB Chair, Martin McTague flags that, with the public finances tight, the Treasury should move away from an “eye-wateringly expensive” super deduction tax break which “will primarily be used by corporations and multinationals, not small businesses operating in all our communities,” and instead prioritise reduction of Government-imposed overheads to free up funds for investment at the local level.
FSB research shows that just 4% of the small businesses that make up 99% of the private sector see the super deduction as one of the top three incentives to invest.
In its costed Spring Statement submission, FSB recommends:
Cawarden’s demolition director strives for industry excellence
Derby-based Specialist Contractor, Cawarden, has celebrated the achievement of its demolition director and board member, Malcolm Lowes, who has become an associate member of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE) – the professional body that exists to promote and foster the science of demolition engineering.
Malcolm – who has over 40 years’ demolition engineering experience – attended a special IDE Graduation and Awards Ceremony on 25 February at The Royal Armouries in Leeds to be presented with his associate grade achievement.
To achieve the professional industry membership, Malcolm completed a rigorous assessment process involving a formal application, exam and face-to-face interview.
Malcolm Lowes, Cawarden demolition director, said: “I am thrilled to have achieved my associate level grade with the IDE and I’m now looking forward to continuing to further my professional development and industry knowledge to achieve my full IDE membership within the next 2 years.
“The IDE is an excellent organisation that provides a host of learning and networking opportunities as well as promoting the professionalism and credibility of the demolition industry that I am so proud to be a part of.”
William Crooks, Cawarden Managing Director, said: “We are continually working to develop the skills and knowledge of our employees through investment in training and development. Malcolm’s achievement is a huge testament to his unwavering loyalty and dedication to the industry over the last four decades.
“Such high standards of industry excellence means our clients can be assured of our ability to deliver quality projects. It also shows to those thinking about getting into the industry what can be achieved with hard work and that you can make a rewarding and prosperous career in the demolition industry.”
During his career, Malcolm has worked on hundreds of projects across the UK involving the demolition of all types of structures including bridges, high-rise concrete towers, steel-framed industrial units, redundant healthcare sites, dangerous buildings, complex power, quarry, chemical and manufacturing sites – and everything in between.
Whether Cawarden is working in a city centre with significant space constraints, residential areas, industrial or infrastructure sites – Malcolm oversees all of the key processes and procedures required to manage a project, safely and efficiently within the constraints that each of these unique environments present. Working with the site teams he ensures every project is meticulously planned, every detail is covered and costs are kept in check to deliver the best outcome.
Malcolm’s ability to build a rapport with clients and sub-contractors, his professional approach, excellent levels of communication and interpersonal skills have garnered a wealth of repeat business.
Plans in to convert textile workshops in Nottingham’s Lace Market for mixed use scheme
Plans to convert buildings in Nottingham’s Lace Market from textile workshops into a mixed use scheme have been submitted to the city council.
Perrymead Estates wants to transform 15-17 Stoney Street into a mixture of apartments and office spaces, with a café / bar on the ground floor.
In addition, the construction of a four storey extension on the corner of Stoney Street and Woolpack Lane and provision of a rooftop terrace on the roof of number 17 Stoney Street and a small roof extension are proposed.
A design statement submitted by Marsh:Grochowksi Architects on behalf of the applicant says: “By converting this building, it is being brought back into use, providing accommodation, office space and amenities to the local community, in a highly sought after area of Nottingham.”
ThinCats appoints new Chief Technology Officer
ThinCats, the alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs, has appointed Billy Ferguson as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Billy brings a wealth of experience within the IT sector, having previously worked at Aldermore Bank, Allianz Insurance and Prudential. He joins ThinCats from Aldermore Bank where he has spent the last six years in a number of roles including head of architecture, strategic technology transformation, and finally head of IT.
As Chief Technology Officer at ThinCats, Billy is set to play a key role leading the technology department where he will be delivering transformational IT strategies.
Billy said: “I’m delighted to be joining the ThinCats team at this exciting stage of its development. Providing the necessary technology infrastructure is a key element of our strategy to deliver increased volumes of funding to mid-sized SMEs over the next few years. Our continuing investment in technology will ensure we deliver market leading levels of service to our clients.”
Amany Attia, CEO, ThinCats, said: “ThinCats is growing quickly, which means we are investing in all areas of the business to match this growth. Investment in technology is critical to enabling us to scale as more businesses use our funding services. Billy and his team have a pivotal role to play in the future growth of ThinCats and how we service our clients, so I am delighted to welcome him on board.”
What does 2022/23 look like for payroll? By Theresa Waddingham, payroll director at Streets Chartered Accountants
Theresa Waddingham, payroll director at Streets Chartered Accountants, offers some useful information for those managing payroll.
As we head into the final few weeks of the 2021/22 tax year, and following last year’s Autumn Budget announcements and the news of the National Insurance rise that preceded it, what do those charged with payroll need to know, to start preparing for the new tax year on April 6?
National Insurance (NI) changes
A new UK-wide 1.25% “Health and Social Care levy” will come in from April 2022, which will increase National Insurance contributions for employers and working age employees.
Employers will have to pay 15.05% NI on employees earning over £175 per week (£9,100 per year), and employees will start paying 13.25% NI on earnings over £190 per week (£9,880 per year). Employees’ NI will increase to 3.25% on earnings over £967 a week (£50,270 per year).
However, from April 2023, the levy will be separated from NI on payslips and shown as a separate “tax,” and National Insurance will return to the 2021/22 rates. At this point working adults above state pension age will also start contributing. The message “1.25% uplift in NIC funds NHS, health & social care” will be added by software providers to highlight that the levy is to help fund public services.
Aside from the headline NI changes from the 2023/24 tax year, the Levy will have implications for payroll in terms of things like:
- P11Ds, Benefits in Kind, Payrolling of Benefits and IR35
- P60s, P45s and P11D forms
- Attachment of Earnings/Court Orders.
- National Living Wage (23 and over) increases from £8.91 per hour to £9.50
- National Minimum Wage (21-22) increases from £8.36 per hour to £9.18
- National Minimum Wage (18-20) increases from £6.56 per hour to £6.83
- National Minimum Wage (under-18s) increases from £4.62 to £4.81
- The Apprentice Rate increases from £4.30 per hour to £4.81
Make new contacts at The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
Perfect for establishing new contacts, the free to attend Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo will return on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln.
Business Link is a proud partner of the well targeted event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets.
To see who is exhibiting click here.
Opening at 9am, the expo will also host a seminar, and as the exhibition closes, it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online.
Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Tina King, of Business Shows Group, said: “It’s been a long time in the making thanks to the pandemic, but we are finally nearly there, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is gearing up to be one of the best to date!”
To attend the event, register for free here.
To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here.
Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here.
Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.
Manufacturers continuing to increase prices at record rates
Manufacturers are continuing to raise both UK and export prices at record levels in the face of escalating inflationary pressures across the board which show little sign of abating, according to a survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO.
According to the Make UK/BDO Q1 Manufacturing Outlook survey, UK prices rose from a balance of +52% in Q4 2021 to +58%. These are the highest balances in the survey’s history and the fourth successive quarter where record numbers of companies increasing prices has been reached. Given the survey was conducted before the invasion of Ukraine and the substantial increases in the costs of energy and raw materials since, this is likely to have pushed price increases even higher.
To give an indication of just how sharply inflation has bitten, and how manufacturers have responded, the equivalent balance on domestic prices in Q4 2019 before the onset of the pandemic and leaving the EU was just +5%, with the equivalent balance in Q1 2020 +16%.
A similar picture exists for export prices where the balance reported at +50%. By contrast, the balance in Q1 2020 was +13%.
The survey shows a broad impact of escalating costs with over half of companies (54.2%) seeing a major increase in the cost of raw materials and more than a third of companies (37.4%) seeing a major increase in the cost of energy. Almost 10% of companies say that increases in both these indicators represent a ‘threatening increase’ to their business, with a quarter of companies (23.7%) saying that it will take more than two years to resolve energy related costs for their business.
In response to this cocktail of rising cost burdens for business Make UK is urging the Chancellor to use his forthcoming Spring Statement to delay the planned increase in National Insurance and examine other ways to ease business costs and boost investment. These include:
- Reinstate business rates relief for small businesses and bring forward the improvement relief and investment relief exemptions by 12 months
- Extend the Super Deduction scheme with a view to making it permanent at the Autumn Budget.
Planning permission for Nottinghamshire solar farm granted on appeal
Planning permission for the construction of a 49.9 MW solar farm on land at Southwell, Nottinghamshire has been granted on appeal.
Pegasus Group provided expert landscape, heritage and planning witness on behalf of clients JBM Solar Projects 6 Limited at the public inquiry into Newark & Sherwood District Council’s refusal of the application.
In allowing the appeal, the Inspector quoted 18th Century French soldier and politician Francois de Charette: “…you cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.”
The scheme is for a 49.9 MW solar farm on a site of approximately 100ha north of Halloughton, and is set to provide a reduction of around 20,690t of CO2 and meet the energy needs of at least 12,000 homes.
Pegasus Group executive director Paul Burrell said: “This is an excellent result for our client JBM Solar Projects 6 Limited, and a real Pegasus Group team effort.
“We provided landscape, heritage and planning witness as well as full appeal project management. And as a jointly resourced office project, with our Cirencester office leading on planning and landscape while colleagues from the Leeds office led on heritage, it demonstrates how we effectively pool resources in order to provide a winning service.”
Mr Burrell said that in his report the Inspector had made some interesting observations on agricultural land and the temporary loss of food production and food security, with weight to be given to the temporary nature of the development, albeit the 40 years sought would be longer than a generation.
He said that the Inspector concluded, in terms of the planning balance, that while there would be some localised harm to landscape character and some visual harm in conflict with the relevant development plan policies, the imperative to tackle climate change as recognised in legislation and energy policy, and the significant benefits of the scheme, clearly and decisively outweighed the limited harm.
Likewise, in terms of heritage, while recognising the great weight required to be attached to the conservation of a Heritage Assets, he considered that the imperative to tackle climate change, as recognised in legislation and energy policy, and the benefits of the scheme, clearly and decisively outweighed the temporary and less than substantial harm to the Heritage Assets involved.
Mr Burrell said: “My view is that this is therefore a decision which shows the strength and weight that is presently being afforded to addressing climate change as a material consideration.”
In allowing the appeal, permission is granted for the construction of solar farm and battery stations together with all associated works, equipment, and necessary infrastructure.
Landmark West Bridgford site sale paves way for new low carbon homes
Rushcliffe Borough Council has completed the sale of its former depot site that will bring over 70 low carbon new homes to the suburb of West Bridgford.
The Council has sold the site for redevelopment to Peveril Homes and Stagfield Group.
The landmark energy efficient housing site on Abbey Road will include a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and apartments in the heart of the town. The 21 new affordable homes will enable more families and individuals to step onto the housing ladder in West Bridgford.
The 71 homes are set to include a minimum 19 per cent reduction on CO2 levels, compared with current building regulations on standard houses across the country.
They will also feature electric car charging, bike store, wildlife habitats, new trees and will meet central government’s no fossil fuels policy on new build housing, three years ahead of its 2025 deadline.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cllr Simon Robinson, said: “This is an exemplar individually designed scheme that will demonstrate how the Council is looking to the future in reducing carbon impact of new housing.
“We have consistently emphasised the need for new energy efficient homes. This is the ideal opportunity to deliver high quality designs to add much needed affordable housing in West Bridgford and we’re pleased to have completed the sale with Peveril Homes.
“The Council had a long-held ambition to relocate our recycling depot from this residential location to a more suitable place and this was a prime location for new homes.
“We set out to design a unique scheme with high environmental credentials and locked this into a Design Code, working alongside Allan Joyce Architects.
“The homes will be 100% electric powered with no gas, having air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and solar panels, the development will really set the standard for others to follow, locally.”
James Smith, Managing Director of Peveril Homes, says: “As the site will be completely gas-free, we are continuing to innovate our product offering.
“Our partnership with Stagfield Group assists us to evolve with each house type designed from the ground up to accommodate modern living and the ambitious carbon net goals set by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
“This development aligns with Peveril Homes’ company ethos and endeavour to provide superior quality homes that stand the test of time.”
Kevin Hard, Managing Director of Stagfield Group, adds: “As custodians of this vision and working with our partner Peveril Homes, we are excited to build and release the homes for future residents to benefit from lower energy bills, quality design and modern living.
“What first attracted us to the development land was the Council’s vision for a low energy development with ‘no gas’ and the desire to incorporate exemplar design and urban living.”
The wider team involved in the sale included Helene Maillet-Vioud, partner of real estate at Geldards, acting on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council, and Guy Winfield, partner at Freeths, acting for Peveril Homes and Stagfield.
The Council also worked with Savills’ development team in Nottingham.
Hucknall site sold to Pegasus Hire Limited
Byron Station House on Baths Lane in Hucknall has been sold to Pegasus Hire Limited.
The site consists of a large residential dwelling with commercial buildings and yard to the rear.
The entire site is circa 0.33 acres and located next to Hucknall’s tram/train station, Tesco, McDonalds, Aldi, Iceland and other major occupiers.
The vendors had lived in the house and had ran a scaffolding and skip business from the property for many years.
Pegasus Hire Limited are planning to run their plant and hire business from the site and convert the residential dwelling into apartments.
Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP said: “This was an extremely interesting instruction which I thoroughly enjoyed as it entailed vision, open mindedness and options.
“Pegasus Hire Limited purchased the site to run their plant and hire business, alongside converting the residential dwelling into apartments. This we felt suited the site perfectly and their simple, straightforward, unconditional offer, enabled a successful sale.”
