Welcome to our round up of the latest business news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect your business. We are here to support you!
Managing Your Cash Flow is Essential Right Now!
With ever increasing supplier prices, a recent rise in interest rates, and a looming recession, managing your business’s cash and understanding the flow are now vital tools in maintaining resilience and being able to adopt flexible strategies for success.
Cash flows reflect all the cash that is flowing in and out of a business. Owners can look at the direction of the cash flows for insights about the health of specific products or services and overall market patterns.
Some types of business are more likely to run into cash flow problems, while other types appear to be more resilient. If you are a business owner, you might be wondering which category your business falls into. No matter how inventive or simple your business model is, you can still have problems with cash flow. Here are our thoughts on managing the flow of cash in your business:
The first stage of understanding and predicting how funds flow is to perform a health check on your accounts. Look at your latest profit and loss statement and check that your income is sufficient to cover your expenses. If your profit is falling behind your expenses and cash flow is slowing down, you might need to take action. Prepare a cash flow statement so you know where the money goes.
Next create a yearly budget and look where cash could become tight and months where you can save to cover off the quieter times. Look at those quieter months and think about flexible work scheduling, new products or services, or other activities to tide you over.
Finally make sure you collect your money from those who owe you quickly. Reward customer loyalty by offering early bird discounts and set credit limits and payment terms to ensure customers follow the rules. If you take on new customers, make credit checks. Penalise late payers and request up front deposits or payment.
Please talk to us about preparing a cash flow statement and annual budget so that you can work on your business for maximum success!
Households, Businesses, and Organisations Who are “Off the Gas Grid” to Receive Energy Bill Support Over the Coming Weeks
From Monday last week, households across Great Britain who don’t use mains gas for heating started to receive £200 towards their energy bills as the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) scheme launched. Most will get the £200 AFP automatically as a credit on their electricity bill, but some customers will need to apply for the support later this month.
Nearly 2 million households who use alternative energy sources such as heating oil, biomass, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to warm their homes will receive the support.
The vast majority, including many homes in rural areas, will get it automatically through their electricity supplier as a credit on their bill throughout February. A small minority of customers, such as those living in park homes or on static houseboats with no direct energy supplier, will need to apply to receive the payment through an online portal that will launch later this month.
Meanwhile, energy suppliers are also able to start making payments to businesses and both public and voluntary sector organisations that use alternative fuels to heat their buildings. A credit of £150 will be provided to eligible customers across the UK through the Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment scheme (ND-AFP). Suppliers will deliver this support up to 10 March, with most customers expected to receive it later this month. There is no need to contact your supplier.
New Law Gives Employees and Other Workers More Say Over Their Working Hours
The UK government has supported the recently introduced “Predictable Terms and Conditions” Bill, which will bring forward changes for tens of millions of workers across the UK.
The move, which would apply to all workers and employees including agency workers, comes after a review found many workers on zero hours contracts experience ‘one-sided flexibility’.
This means people across the country are currently left waiting, unable to get on with their lives in case of being called up at the last minute for a shift. With a more predictable working pattern, workers will have a guarantee of when they are required to work, with hours that work for them.
If a worker’s existing working pattern lacks certainty in terms of the hours they work, the times they work or if it is a fixed term contract for less than 12 months, they will be able to make a formal application to change their working pattern to make it more predictable.
The move comes as part of a package of policies the UK government is supporting to further workers’ rights across the country, such as:
- supporting parents of babies who need neonatal additional care with paid neonatal care leave
- requiring employers to ensure that all tips, gratuities, and service charges received must be paid to workers in full
- offering pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy
- entitling unpaid carers to a period of unpaid leave to support those most in need
- providing millions of employees with a day one right to request flexible working, and a greater say over when, where, and how they work.
The government states that these policies will increase workforce participation, protect vulnerable workers, and level the playing field, ensuring unscrupulous businesses don’t have a competitive advantage.
See: New law gives tens of millions more say over their working hours – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
HMRC Late Payment Interest Rates to be Revised After Bank of England Increases Base Rate
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 2 February 2023 that it would increase the Bank of England base rate to 4% from 3.5%.
HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate.
As a consequence of the change in the base rate, HMRC interest rates for late payment and repayment will increase.
These changes will come into effect on:
- 13 February 2023 for quarterly instalment payments
- 21 February 2023 for non-quarterly instalment payments.
Late payment interest is set at base rate plus 2.5%. Repayment interest is set at base rate minus 1%, with a lower limit – or ‘minimum floor’ – of 0.5%.
The differential between late payment interest and repayment interest is in line with the policy of other tax authorities worldwide and compares favourably with commercial practice for interest charged on loans or overdrafts and interest paid on deposits.
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £25 million in the best game-changing and world-leading ideas.
Ideas need to be designed for swift, successful commercialisation and be genuinely new and novel, not just disruptive within their sector.
All proposals must be business-focused, with deliverable, realistic, adequately resourced plans to achieve return on investment, growth, and market share following project completion.
Applications can come from any area of technology and be applied to any part of the economy, such as, but not exclusively:
- net-zero
- the arts
- design and media.
To be in scope, your proposal must demonstrate (amongst other things):
- a game-changing, innovative, and disruptive idea that will lead to new products, processes or services
- an idea that is significantly ahead of others in the field, set for rapid commercialisation
- clear potential to positively impact the UK’s position, productivity, and competitiveness within the global economy.
‘Here to Help’: Commission Launches New Push on Trustee Guides as Sector Faces Challenging Year
The Charity Commission is launching the next stage of its campaign to raise awareness of core trustee duties and guidance available as the sector faces challenges ahead.
The Commission has developed a collection of short guidance on issues ranging from safeguarding people to managing conflicts of interest. Dubbed the ‘5-Minute Guides’, the collection serves as a basic toolkit for trustees who are managing the many demands of running a charity.
The latest phase of the campaign, running to 16th March, aims to raise awareness of, and boost use of, the 5-minute guides. The regulator hopes this will increase knowledge and understanding of essential trustee duties. This comes as charities face additional challenges due to cost-of-living pressures.
The Commission’s latest research shows that around 98% of trustees feel ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confident in managing or governing their charity but, when questioned on basic role requirements, on average, trustees answered just 7 out of 10 questions correctly – demonstrating a knowledge gap that could lead to unintentional governance failings.
The core suite of 5-minute guides covers the following subject areas:
- Delivering purpose – advice on how to use your charity’s governing document, how to deliver on your charity’s purposes and the law.
- Managing finances – advice on how to ensure your charity’s money is safe, properly used and accounted for.
- Conflicts of interest – advice on how to identify and deal with conflicts of interest in your charity.
- Making decisions – advice on how to make valid trustee decisions that are in your charity’s best interests.
- Reporting information – advice on how and what you need to report to the Commission.
- Safeguarding people – advice on your responsibilities to keep everyone who comes into contact with your charity safe from harm.
- Political activity & campaigning – advice for charities that want to support, or oppose, a change in government policy or the law.
See: Advice and guidance for Charity Trustees – Getting the most out of being a charity trustee
What is Inclusive Leadership?
There have been numerous studies into the relationship between diversity and inclusion and company performance, and many of them have come to the same conclusion – diversity and inclusion is good for business.
The biggest advantage of inclusive leadership is that inclusive leaders know how to unleash individual potential and create an environment where all talent can thrive and grow. The more people feel included, the more they speak up, go the extra mile, and collaborate — all of which ultimately lifts organisational performance.
Inclusive leadership is emerging as a unique and critical capability helping organisations adapt to diverse customers, markets, ideas, and talent.
The workshop will include:
- What inclusion means
- What makes an inclusive leader
- How to make that happen
- How an organisation can create inclusive leadership.
Organised by “Fairplay Employer”, the next date for this free 45-minute webinar is Monday 13 March.
See: What is inclusive leadership? Tickets, Mon 13 Mar 2023 at 13:30 | Eventbrite
The Digital Pound Consultation
HM Treasury and the Bank of England are consulting on a potential digital pound, or central bank digital currency (CBDC).
If introduced, a digital pound would be issued by the Bank of England and could be used by households and businesses for everyday payments in-store and online. It would also be interchangeable with cash and bank deposits, complementing cash.
No decision has been taken at this stage to introduce a digital currency.
See: The digital pound: A new form of money for households and businesses? – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Mid Ulster Employer-Led Disability Inclusion Programme
The Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is seeking to engage a range of local employers in an Employer-led Disability Inclusion Programme.
The programme, in collaboration with The Cedar Foundation, aims to:
- improve companies’ understanding of disability employment needs
- raise awareness of the benefits of tapping into an under-utilised and capable labour pool
- support the companies through an employability programme that will result in a number of job opportunities being created that are suited to employees with a disability or health condition.
Expressions of interest are being sought from companies based in the Mid Ulster District Council area to get involved in the programme.
It is open to all employers from all sectors including manufacturing, engineering, agri-food, construction, retail, tourism, hospitality, health and social care, and digital/ICT.
See: Mid Ulster Employer-led Disability Inclusion Programme (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Digital Surge Programme for NI Businesses
The Digital Surge Programme is a Northern Ireland wide programme, partly funded by the eleven local councils.
It supports small businesses that are deemed to have digital transformation potential and related ambitions across any sector.
Support includes:
- two half-day workshops on the fundamentals of digital transformation and innovation
- a diagnostic report outlining an innovation and digital transformation plan for your organisation produced by an innovation consultant
- masterclass workshops to showcase the advanced technologies such as Blockchain, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Virtual Reality / Immersive Tech and Robotics
- six days of mentoring support from advanced technology experts
- a digital acceleration plan produced for your organisation
- routing to more intensive supports and funding.
See: Digital Surge Programme for NI businesses (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland 2023
The 2023 Northern Ireland Responsible Business Awards are open for entries. Organised by Business in the Community, the awards celebrate businesses demonstrating strong, inclusive leadership, who continually innovate to tackle pressing social issues and to repair and rebuild our planet.
There are 11 categories in the 2023 awards:
- NI Responsible Company of the Year
- Climate Action Award
- Collaborative Action Award
- Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Employer of Choice Award
- Impact in your Community Award
- Responsible Technology Innovation Award
- One-to-Watch Award
- Responsible Business Ambassador Award
- Responsible Product/Service Award
- Wellbeing at Work Award.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner event at the ICC Belfast on Thursday 7 September 2023.
See: Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland | BITC NI
Event: Opportunity Export
Belfast City Council is organising the ‘Opportunity Export’ event on 28 February 2023 at the Crown Plaza, Shaw’s Bridge. This event will showcase the supports available for Belfast based businesses to help them get started on their exporting journey.
You will learn about all the free and funded supports on offer – whether you are a one-person operation seeking to grow your business or an established business seeking to continue your growth by exporting outside Northern Ireland.
You will also have the option to choose between export opportunities for your business in either ROI, GB or outside the British Isles.
Speakers include:
- Invest NI
- InterTradeIreland
- Department for International Trade (DIT)
- Alan Lowry, Environmental Street Furniture.
The keynote speaker Alan Lowry, CEO, Environmental Street Furniture will share his expert knowledge and insight into his successful export journey globally.
Refreshments and Lunch Will be Provided.
This event is aimed at SME, Micro Enterprises and Social Enterprises based in the Belfast City Council area and employing fewer than 50 people.
See: Event: Opportunity Export (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Derry – Londonderry Employer seminars From the Labour Relations Agency
The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) is hosting a number of employer seminars at their regional office in Derry-Londonderry between February and May 2023.
The seminars will explore key employment issues for employers, managers and HR practitioners including handling difficult conversations, dignity at work, managing performance, family-friendly working, and how to handle discipline and grievance.
The seminars last around two hours and are free to attend. All the seminars will take place at the LRA’s regional office at The Diamond in Derry-Londonderry.
See: Derry – Londonderry employer seminars from the Labour Relations Agency (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Economic Profiles of Northern Ireland Council Areas
Invest NI provides an annual synopsis of economic data for the 11 council areas in Northern Ireland.
The 2023 briefings provide a comprehensive overview of each of the council areas within Northern Ireland, including:
- population
- labour market structure
- unemployment
- employee jobs
- earnings
- qualifications
- gross disposable household income.
The council profiles also include business data covering areas including:
- number of registered businesses
- businesses by size
- businesses by sector
- business demography
- Invest NI assisted business investors in the council area
- tourism
- exports
- entrepreneurship.
See: Economic profiles of Northern Ireland council areas (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Lisburn Castlereagh Succession Programme
The Lisburn Castlereagh Succession Programme aims to create progress in the workplace for those who live and work in the council area and for businesses wishing to create progression opportunities for their team.
The programme, which is fully funded, consists of:
- five full day workshops (10am to 4pm weekly),
- mentoring support, and
- an opportunity to gain an ICQ Level 3 Qualification in Management Principles.
The programme starts on Monday 13 February 2023.
See: Lisburn Castlereagh Succession Programme (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Funding for Feature Documentary Development
Northern Ireland Screen has launched their feature documentary development funding call for Northern Ireland filmmakers.
This funding, provided through the Screen Fund, aims to support the development of feature documentaries with the potential to appeal to an international audience that will deliver unique visions and voices on universal stories from Northern Ireland resident filmmakers.
Ideally, projects should be intended for theatrical distribution and eligible for the UK film tax incentive. However, if the rationale is compelling, Northern Ireland Screen will consider a broadcast hour and may consider two-parters or mini-series with evidence of national or international distribution interest.
Northern Ireland based production companies can apply for up to a maximum of £7,500 based on a budget of £10,000.
This is a development call, so projects that are already in production are not eligible.
Successful applicants are expected to deliver a taster tape at the end of the development period. The intention is for supported projects to submit completed taster tapes to Hot Docs, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and other leading documentary festivals.
All applicants must complete an online application form and send supporting documentation to Northern Ireland Screen by Friday 31 March 2023.
See: Funding for feature documentary development (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
