Taxman not turning up to work

As tax collectors go on strike this week over the loss of another 5,000 staff and the closure of 281 local tax offices, critics are letting loose on how HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) could sharpen up and collect more money for the Treasury. Continue reading→

5G in London by 2020

5G internet, which is as much as 250 times faster than 4G and can download an 800 megabyte film in one second, will be available in London by 2020, according to Mayor Boris Johnson. Continue reading→

HMRC checking up on SMEs

The number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing detailed checks by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has risen by a third after checks were reintroduced in November 2012, according to a recent study. Continue reading→

Economy back at pre-crisis level

The UK economy is finally bigger than it was before the financial crisis started six years ago, growing by 0.8 per cent between April and June, according to official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Continue reading→

More than 10 million to be higher rate taxpayers

More than 10 million people will be higher rate taxpayers within two decades as the 40p band becomes the “norm” for millions of middle class workers, according to analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Continue reading→

UK Deficit Rises

Although public sector net borrowing was £0.1bn less in June than during the same month in 2013, underlying public sector net borrowing was £2.4bn higher in the first three months of the new tax year, between April and June, than during same period in 2013/14. Continue reading→

House Sales Highest In Seven Years

Property sales in the UK hit their joint highest monthly total since the financial crisis began last month, with 109,580 sales in June, the same as in November last year, and the highest since the end of 2007, according to information from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).Continue reading→

A summer concert sponsored by Baines Jewitt has raised a magnificent amount for the Butterwick Hospice.

Eaglescliffe Community Choir gave the open-air performance on Saturday, July 12, drumming up an impressive £2865 for the facility. Barclays bank agreed to match-fund the amount, taking the total to over £3600.

Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton on Tees, provided care for almost 2000 people across the North East last year. To find out how you can help, visit www.butterwick.org.uk/

Funding Could Improve For SMEs

The British Business Bank, which starts lending today (21 July) through peer-to-peer lender RateSetter, is considering the use of “securitisation” to create SME bonds in order to boost lending to small firms. Continue reading→

Taxman Nets Extra £1bn From High-Net-Worth Individuals

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has made an extra £1bn in tax from so-called ‘high-net-worth individuals’ (HNWI) with over £20m in assets, following a voluntary compliance exercise. Continue reading→