Umar Memon
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Businesses optimistic about recruitment and growth
One in five small businesses feels optimistic about growth and expansion following the Government’s announcement to introduce a £2,000 allowance towards employer National Insurance contributions (NICs), research by Direct Line for Businesses has found. A third of businesses also plan… Read more Businesses optimistic about recruitment and growth
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Value added tax
After last year’s controversies regarding VAT on such things as pasties, caravans, self-storage and listed buildings, this has been a fairly quiet year so far regarding VAT changes. The 2013 Budget provided the usual announcements about the new registration and… Read more Value added tax
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Repayment warning for interest-only borrowers
Interest-only mortgages were popular during the housing booms of the early nineties and ‘noughties’. Typically, borrowers make monthly repayments that cover only the interest on the amount borrowed. The capital (the full amount borrowed) is then paid back when the… Read more Repayment warning for interest-only borrowers
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Is lack of technology holding your business back?
Research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed that small businesses are spending an average of £3,500 a year on technology in a bid to grow and create jobs. Of the 2,200 people surveyed: 85 per cent identified… Read more Is lack of technology holding your business back?
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Employee share buy-back rules relaxed
Evidence suggests that employee-owned businesses – those in which members of staff own a stake (often in the form of shares) in the business – are likely to show increased productivity and, as a result, increased profitability compared with those… Read more Employee share buy-back rules relaxed
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Queen’s Speech announcements for business
The Government’s plans for the new parliamentary session were outlined last month in the Queen’s Speech. Proposals of interest to businesses included those around national insurance contributions, patents and deregulation: Employment allowance: under the National Insurance Contributions Bill, businesses and… Read more Queen’s Speech announcements for business
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Successful retirement planning
This guide looks at some important considerations when planning for income in retirement Many people spend time thinking about what retirement might look like financially, and this is particularly important now given the stock market recovery we have seen in… Read more Successful retirement planning
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Company car taxation
This guide focuses on company car tax rules and how tax legislation is being used to encourage businesses to acquire more environmentally-friendly vehicles. The provision of a company car is normally a taxable benefit for an employee or a director.… Read more Company car taxation
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Are you saving and investing wisely?
Research by National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has revealed the amount of money individuals are setting aside has reached its highest level for nine years. Britons are now saving an average of £104 a month – equivalent to eight per… Read more Are you saving and investing wisely?
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End of excessive credit and debit card charges
Businesses often add surcharges to the price of goods or services when consumers choose to pay by credit or debit card. Notable examples include the purchase of flights or music tickets. However, under the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations, firms… Read more End of excessive credit and debit card charges