Information, communication technology (ICT)

Beat the festive rush and get all your letters and parcels in the post on time. Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe. Allow plenty of time for posting and post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries: Friday 17 December 2021 – Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy Saturday 18 December 2021 – 2nd Class...

The October edition of the Employer Bulletin brings you all the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers and payroll agents. There is important information on: PAYE including the tax changes for Health and Social Care UK Transition and the recently agreed UK-Swiss Convention on Social Security coordination COVID-19 information with updates on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme tax updates and changes to guidance, including information on PAYE liability involving Offshore Matters The bulletin...

National Mentoring Day was launched to recognise the significant benefits of mentoring across the UK and takes place on 27 October each year. Mentoring is help by one person to another and can make a significant in the mentee’s knowledge, work or thinking. Everyone from individuals, companies, schools, communities, universities and governments are encouraged to share their own mentoring success stories and case studies and to use the day to participate in raising awareness about...

The UK Government has published guidance about what businesses need to do in order to use Freeport customs sites. The guidance covers applying for and using special customs procedures. Freeport customs sites (also known as a ‘free zone’) are secure customs zones where you can import or export goods inside the UK’s land border, but where some different import or export rules apply. If you choose to use a customs site to import or export...

Welsh Government launches ‘Feed Your Positivity’ campaign to raise awareness of Young Person’s Guarantee. The campaign aims to communicate the Welsh Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee and to encourage young Welsh people to positively engage with their plans for the future. The campaign has been developed in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the employment and educational opportunities facing young people. Under-25s have accounted for three in five jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. It...

The deadline to complete a tax return for the 2020 to 2021 tax year is approaching. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers to check that they have the correct information in order to complete their tax return. The tax return deadline for the 2020 to 2021 tax year is 31 October 2021 for those completed on paper forms and 31 January 2022 for online returns. Customers can file before the January...

Whether you are a large, medium or small business, 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...

The Institute of Directors (IOD) Awards are open for entries. It celebrates leadership talent, success, achievement and highlights business excellence and significant contributions leaders can make to the social and economic prosperity in the community. Whatever your sector or organisation – whether you are a director in an established company, innovative start-up, family business, SME, or Third Sector – the IOD want to hear from you. The awards gives the business community a chance to...

The Welsh Government recently announced a package of support to revitalise Welsh town centres. The aim is to enable businesses to plan projects which lead to economic growth as well as helping them make the best use of digital technology. This includes utilising data to help firms better understand their customer base and trends which will support businesses in their future planning and marketing activities. This will be achieved through ‘The Year of SMART Towns’...

Wear Red Day (WRD) will take place in Wales, Scotland and England on 22 October 2021. WRD is a national day of action which encourages schools, businesses and individuals to wear red and donate money to help facilitate the delivery of anti-racism education for young people and adults throughout Wales, Scotland and England. Every penny raised during WRD enables the campaign to work with more young people and adults across the UK to challenge racism...