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!
Is your Business Winter Ready?
Disruptions due to the weather can happen anywhere at any time. Taking time to plan and prepare your business can save you time and money when something untoward happens.
There are simple steps all businesses can take to ensure that they are prepared for adverse weather such as:
- signing up for flood warnings;
- installing flood protection systems;
- checking your insurance policy covers weather damage to your property – make sure you have suitable insurance, theAssociation of British Insurers provides helpful information; Commercial property insurance is particularly relevant;
- having a business continuity plan;
- making copies of your insurance documentation and key contact information; and
- preparing a grab bag with essential items which can be easily accessed should the premises be evacuated.
Businesses are also encouraged to be aware that harsh weather conditions could leave staff unable to travel to work and therefore should evaluate the risks and provide solutions to being understaffed during this time.
See: Preparing for emergencies – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Self-Assessment Scam Warning
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging Self-Assessment customers to be on the lookout for scam texts, emails, and phone calls from fraudsters.
Scammers Impersonating HMRC
With a large number of people expected to submit a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2022-23 tax year before the 31 January 2024 deadline, fraudsters will prey on customers by impersonating HMRC.
The scams take different approaches. Some offer a tax rebate; others tell customers that they need to update their tax details or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion.
What to Do if You Suspect a Scam
An unexpected contact claiming to be from HMRC should be viewed as suspicious. Take your time and check HMRC’s scam advice on how to identify tax scam phone calls, emails, and text messages.
You can report any suspicious communications to HMRC by:
- forwarding suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599;
- forwarding emails to [email protected]; and
- reporting tax scam phone calls to HMRC.
Filing Your Self-Assessment Tax Return
If you need to file a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, you must do so and pay the tax you owe by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday 31 January 2024.
See: Self Assessment tax returns: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Welcome to Business Finance Week 2023!
From 6-10 November the British Business Bank, along with several partners from across the UK, will host Business Finance Week 2023.
With a host of free of charge nationwide and regional in-person events, webinars and more, Business Finance Week helps smaller businesses learn about the different finance options available to them to support their individual needs.
Some of the events running are:
- An introduction to angel investment
- Demystifying early-stage equity finance
- Founder Fables and Investor Tales: Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- How to start your business and avoid costly mistakes
- Making sense of start-up funding: Where do I start?
- Starting up the right way: How to supercharge your start-up with investment
- Growing your business: An interview with a founder
- Meet the experts in finance for business growth
- Investment for innovation
- Inspiring inclusive entrepreneurship
See: Business Finance Week 2023 – British Business Bank (british-business-bank.co.uk)
The VAT Flat Rate Scheme – New Online Form
The amount of VAT a business pays or claims back from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is usually the difference between the VAT charged by the business to customers and the VAT the business pays on their own purchases.
With the Flat Rate Scheme:
- you pay a fixed rate of VAT to HMRC;
- you keep the difference between what you invoice your customers and pay to HMRC;
- you cannot reclaim the VAT on your purchases – except for certain capital assets over £2,000; and
- to join the scheme your VAT turnover must be £150,000 or less (excluding VAT), and you must apply to HMRC.
The main benefits of the scheme are:
- simplified record keeping, as you do not have to keep detailed records of sales and invoices;
- fixed rate percentages that are lower than the standard rate; and
- it helps manage cash flow.
HMRC has launched new online form for businesses to apply for the VAT flat rate scheme: Form VAT600FRS.
The Flat Rate Scheme isn’t the best choice for all businesses. Depending on your sector, you may find that you pay more VAT this way than through standard VAT accounting, so please talk to us and we can give you all the information to make the right choice.
See: Flat Rate Scheme for small businesses (VAT Notice 733) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Alcohol Duty Reform
Changes to Alcohol Duty took effect on 1 August 2023. This includes new reliefs which could reduce your tax bill:
- A Small Producer Relief: which reforms and extends the relief previously enjoyed by small breweries, to producers of all alcoholic products under 8.5% ABV; and
- A reduced rate for draught products also known as Draught Relief, which reduces the tax due on draught alcoholic products under 8.5% ABV, packaged in containers of at least 20 litres, and designed to connect to a qualifying dispense system.
Please contact us to check if you can take advantage of the new reliefs and transitional arrangements for producers and importers of some wine products.
You can find guidance on the new Alcohol Duty rates, Small Producer Relief, and how to submit returns and pay duty here: Alcohol Duty from 1 August 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Manufacturing Energy Toolkit
As the winter sets in, the cost of energy will be a key issue for all businesses.
The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult has launched a pilot scheme to help small manufacturers cut energy usage. The Manufacturing Energy Toolkit is a guided assessment which is carried out by HVM Catapult experts to create a better understanding of energy usage and sources.
With the Manufacturing Energy Toolkit, the HVM Catapult is opening its doors to help manufacturers make their processes more energy efficient, cutting their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 46%.
See: Manufacturing Energy Toolkit for SMEs – HVMC (catapult.org.uk)
Latest HMRC Tax Webinars for the Self Employed
Listed below are a number of live HMRC webinars that will give the self-employed an understanding of key taxes that affect them.
Business expenses for the self-employed
Tue 31 Oct at 9:45am
Car expenses for the self-employed
Thu 2 Nov at 9:45am
Construction Industry Scheme for contractors
Thu 9 Nov at 9:45am
Construction Industry Scheme for subcontractors
Mon 13 Nov at 11:45am
How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services
Tue 14 Nov at 1:45pm
Company directors – payroll and you
Tue 21 Nov at 1:45pm
Capital allowances and vehicles
Wed 22 Nov at 11:45am
Wed 13 Dec at 11:45am
Real Living Wage Rates for 2023/24
By paying the real Living Wage, employers are voluntarily taking a stand to ensure their employees can earn a wage which is enough to live on.
As well as it being the right thing to do, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the business benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer.
The Living Wage rates are independently calculated based on the real cost of living in the UK and London.
The new rates for 2023/24 are:
- £12 per hour UK rate; and
- £13.15 London rate.
See: Real Living Wage increases to £12 in UK and £13.15 in London | Living Wage Foundation
Funding For AI in the Music Industry
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will invest up to £1 million in collaborative innovation projects with an artificial intelligence (AI) focus, that aim to benefit the wider UK music sector. This funding is part of Innovate UK’s Creative Catalyst.
Projects must:
- support the growth of the UK music industry;
- utilise artificial intelligence or enable the use of AI;
- demonstrate a clearly innovative and ambitious idea;
- respond to the changing market conditions and challenges in the global music industry;
- be market ready within 12 months of receiving support; and
- demonstrate value for money.
To be eligible, applicants must collaborate with industry stakeholders to unlock the full potential of AI applications across the value chain, supporting and uplifting the music industry, and driving long term creative and commercial success.
Collaborators can be international but organisations outside of the UK cannot be funded. Industry stakeholders can also be from within the music industry or from an industry that will benefit the UK music sector.
Innovate UK is interested in proposals across the whole music industry including live, recorded and publishing. Applications which partner with organisations within the traditional music industry supply chain (for example, music labels and music venues) are encouraged.
The deadline for applications is 11am on Wednesday 22 November 2023.
Air Travel Guidance Updated to Give Passengers More Clarity on Their Rights
The Department for Transport (DfT) has refreshed the newly named Air passenger travel guide, making it easier for passengers to know their rights and responsibilities when they travel.
Formerly known as the aviation passenger charter, it details what people can expect from airlines, travel agents, tour operators and airports, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.
This includes advice on what to do if flights are cancelled or delayed, if baggage goes missing, and the rights of disabled passengers, as well as guidance on how to complain if passengers feel they have been treated unfairly.
The travel guide also provides general advice for all aspects of your journey, such as what to expect at passport control, what you can bring through UK customs and how to manage connecting flights.
It also reminds passengers to regularly check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) website for the latest security and safety advice before booking travel, as well as what counts as an extraordinary circumstance when compensation isn’t available.
The advice also makes clear that while security checks are changing over the coming months, they should continue to be prepared to remove electronics and small liquids from their bags when travelling by air.
See: Air travel guidance refreshed to give passengers more clarity on their rights – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Drive for More Zero Emission HGV Trucks on the Road
More zero emission trucks are set to drive on the roads due to UK government funding to decarbonise freight vehicles.
With heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) alone contributing 20% to all transport emissions across the UK, the £200 million in government funding announced in October will be invested across 4 green projects to roll out up to 370 zero emission HGVs.
Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing much needed infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.
International Stress Awareness Week 2023
The International Stress Management Association [ISMAUK] is a registered charity and the lead professional body for workplace and personal stress management, supporting good mental health, wellbeing and performance.
International Stress Awareness Week 2023 takes place from 30 October to 3 November, is a major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues.
Midway through the week, Stress Awareness Day falls on Wednesday 1 November.
See: Global Online Stress Summit | ISMA Stress Management Association
Student Loans – Update on Repayment Contact Services
The student loans company has issued the following information to help customers to contact them to discuss whether or not they are entitled to a repayment.
They state that repayment call waiting times are currently ”longer than usual” and they are asking customers to first check if they’re due a refund using their dedicated page Repaying your student loan: Getting a refund – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Customers who think they might have made a repayment in a previous tax year, but earned below that tax year’s annual repayment threshold can check their previous year’s statements on their online account https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-manage-your-student-loan-balance.
Repayment thresholds vary depending on what loan plan a customer is on, to check the plan type visit: https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/which-repayment-plan-you-are-on
See: Update on Repayment contact services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Female Leadership Programme for Ards and North Down
A new Female Leadership Programme developed by South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Ards and North down Borough Council offers the opportunity for women business owners or employees in the local area to boost business skills and gain a management qualification in either Level 3, Level 5 or Level 7.
The free course will be delivered by SERC’s Business Services team and runs part-time from Monday 20 November 2023.
The course includes:
- five hours one-to-one mentoring – face-to-face or online – to address business and individual needs and challenges;
- networking events; and
- support to achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification at Level 3, Level 5 (both 7 week courses) or Level 7 (13 weeks) – all delivered online.
Eligibility:
- participants must be resident or working in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area.
- the programme is open to female business owners of small or micro enterprises, employees, or individuals.
Participation on the Level 5 and Level 7 CMI qualifications is subject to eligibility criteria.
See: Female Leadership Programme for Ards and North Down (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Americas Showcase 2023
If you are considering exporting to the Americas, find out the latest on the business environment and export opportunities in the region on 9 November, thanks to the Americas Showcase, organised by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland.
At this event, DBT Trade specialists will be updating Northern Ireland companies on the latest opportunities in the various markets in the American continent:
- The continent is comprised of over 40 countries with a total population of over 1 billion people, and there are 3 widespread languages spoken across the region.
- Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC) had a combined GDP of US$5 trillion in 2021, forecast to grow at an inflation-adjusted rate of 2.5% per year to 2024. (Data: IMF WEO Oct 2022).
- UK exports to North America accounted for 22.7% of total UK exports to all trading partners in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023.
The event will feature presentations and panel discussions on how to succeed in the Americas region, including fellow Northern Ireland companies sharing how they have succeeded in some of these markets.
You will also have the opportunity to have 1-2-1 meetings with DBT Northern Ireland and International Market Advisers, Invest Northern Ireland and UK Export Finance (UKEF) representatives, in which you can discuss matters specific to your company.
- Date: 9 November 2023
- Time: 8:30am – 4pm
- Venue: ICC Belfast
See: Americas Showcase 2023 (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)
Pavement Café Licensing Consultation for Belfast
To help the hospitality sector during the pandemic, Belfast City Council introduced a temporary process to consider pavement café licence applications. This temporary scheme is due to be replaced with a permanent pavement café licensing scheme.
It is proposed that the permanent scheme will mirror the temporary scheme in most aspects. However, what was considered acceptable for a temporary licence during the pandemic to help businesses will need to be reconsidered and may no longer be appropriate within a permanent scheme.
Before bringing in the permanent pavement café licensing scheme, Belfast City Council is carrying out a consultation exercise to gather:
- any positive and negative experiences of pavement cafés since the introduction of the temporary licensing scheme; and
- views about a pavement café licensing scheme in general and specific aspects of it.
This consultation will inform the implementation and detail of the permanent scheme.
The consultation closes on Thursday 30 November 2023.
See: Pavement Cafés Licensing Scheme – Public Consultation | Your say Belfast (belfastcity.gov.uk)
Mid Ulster Enterprise Week 2023
Mid Ulster Enterprise Week is running from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November 2023.
During the week, events for local businesses, both online and in person, will take place. This year’s theme, ‘Challenge, Adapt, Succeed’, encapsulates the journey local businesses need to undertake to thrive in today’s ever-evolving economic landscape.
Event details:
AI Uncovered: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business
Monday 13 November 2023, 9:50am to 11am, The Burnavon, Cookstown
Lights! Camera! Action! Unlock the Power of Video for your Business
Monday 13 November 2023, 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Virtual
Employment Matters
Tuesday 14 November 2023, 10am to 12pm, Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy
Leading the Way: Self Leadership and Business Resilience
Tuesday 14 November 2023, 10am to 11am, Virtual
Meet the Expert
Tuesday 14 November 2023, 1pm to 5pm, The Junction, Dungannon
Powerful Tourism
Wednesday 15 November 2023, 10am to 11am, Virtual
InstaGrowth: Mastering Instagram
Wednesday 15 November 2023, 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Virtual
Trailblazers
Thursday 16 November 2023, 9:50am to 11am, The Burnavon, Cookstown
Operational Excellence Workshop
Thursday 16 November 2023, 10am to 1pm, The Junction, Dungannon
Influencer Magic
Thursday 16 November 2023, 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Virtual
