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 and easy to contact WWW.shaikhandcoaccountants.com, 01732 247 550, 01892 552696
Remaining resilient in a shrinking economy
Despite a small growth in the economy in November of 0.1%, the UK has been struggling under the weight of high inflation and rising borrowing costs. Most economists are predicting a contraction in the economy in the next six months. Conditions are likely to remain challenging for businesses and individuals alike, so now is a good time to focus on resilience.
Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress — such as business, workplace, and financial stressors. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences.
So, what actions can you take now to remain resilient to any downturn in the economy?
Here are a few suggestions to help you think about your business:
- Review your Budgets and set realistic and achievable targets for 2023/24.
- Be careful with ‘can’t pay’ customers and get rid of ‘won’t pay’ customers.
- Review your debtors list and chase up overdue invoices (if appropriate).
- Offer existing debtors extended payment terms and/or discounts (if applicable).
- Make sure your terms of business contain explicit payment terms.
- Assign responsibility to one individual for invoicing and collections.
- Agree extended payment terms with all suppliers in advance (if applicable).
- If appropriate, review banking facilities and discuss future needs.
- Put extra effort into making sure your relationships with your better customers are solid.
- Review and flow-chart the main processes in your business (e.g. Sales processing, order fulfilment, shipping etc) and challenge the need for each step.
- Encourage team members to suggest ways to streamline and simplify processes (e.g., sit down and brainstorm about efficiencies and cost reduction).
- Review your staffing needs over the next few months.
- Review your list of products and services and eliminate those that are unprofitable or not core products/services.
Establish your key performance indicators (KPI’s) and measure them on a weekly basis, e.g.:
- Sales Leads generated,
- Orders supplied/fulfilled,
- Cash balance,
- Stock Turnover,
- Debtor Days,
- Gross Profit, and
- Net Profit.
The good news!
The important thing to remember is that the vast majority of people will not lose jobs, the majority of businesses won’t fail and, eventually, we’ll recover. (NatWest Bank, Key economic predictions for 2023).
Talk to us about your business; we have many clients who have changed the way they do things and some innovative stories to share with you!
Statutory Pay Rates from April 2023
The UK Government has published the proposed statutory rates for maternity pay, paternity pay, shared parental pay, adoption pay, parental bereavement pay, and sick pay from April 2023.
The rates normally increase each April in line with the consumer price index (CPI) and the increase normally occurs on the first Sunday in April, which in 2023 is 2 April.
See: Benefit and pension rates 2023 to 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Research & Development (R&D) Tax Relief Reform Consultation Launched
The UK Government has launched a consultation to simplify the UK’s R&D tax relief system.
The 8-week consultation, which runs from 13 January to 13 March 2023, sets out proposals on how a single scheme could be designed and implemented. This would replace the two R&D tax relief schemes currently in place – the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) and the small and medium enterprises (SME) R&D relief.
A scheme modelled on the current RDEC for SMEs would also give decision makers in smaller companies clearer information, which will help them set budgets for R&D. In contrast, for those claiming SME tax relief in the current setup, the exact amount of money their firm will receive can only be known with certainty at the end of accounting period.
This is part of the government’s ongoing R&D tax reliefs review, and follows changes announced at Autumn Statement 2022 where the generosities of the two R&D tax schemes were broadly aligned, with the Chancellor pledging to work with industry to understand how to provide further support for R&D-intensive SMEs.
Government spending on R&D is aimed at stimulating private sector investment which is why it is increasing investment to £20 billion a year by 2024-25.
See: R&D Tax Relief Reform Consultation Launched – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
From pensioners to teenagers, HMRC reveals who files a tax return
HMRC has revealed that more pensioners filed a tax return for the 2020 to 2021 tax year compared to young people.
Overall, those aged 65 and over accounted for 16% of individuals who submitted a tax return, whereas 16 to 24 year olds made up 2.7% of total filers.
The new data is part of analysis by HMRC into the demographic data of the Self-Assessment population. The findings also show:
- people aged 45 to 54 were the largest group of filers, accounting for 24% of all tax returns submitted;
- more than 294,000 16 to 24 year olds filed a return; and
- 62% of those who submitted a return last year were men, compared to 38% who were women.
The data also showed that almost 146,000 people submitted their tax return at the earliest opportunity between 6 and 11 April 2021.
More than 12 million people are expected to file a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. Anyone yet to submit theirs has until 31 January to complete it, pay any tax owed or set up a payment plan, or risk having to pay a penalty.
See: From pensioners to teenagers, HMRC reveals who files a tax return – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Innovation Loans Future Economy competition – round 8
Innovate UK is offering up to £25 million in loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Loans are for highly innovative late-stage research and development (R&D) projects with the best potential for the future. There should be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
Your project must lead to new products, processes or services that are significantly ahead of others currently available or propose an innovative use of existing products, processes or services. It can also involve a new or innovative business model.
Innovate UK are particularly interested in projects that focus on the future economy areas included in the Innovate UK plan for action.
You must be able to show that you:
- need public funding,
- can cover interest payments, and
- will be able to repay the loan on time.
You can apply for a loan of between £100,000 and £2 million to fund your project’s eligible costs.
Round 8 of this competition closes for applications on Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 11am.
New Landscapes: Catalyst Research & Development Grant Scheme
Applications for the next round of New Landscapes: Catalyst Research & Development Grant Scheme are now open.
The New Landscapes: Fashion, Textiles and Technology Catalyst R&D Grant Scheme will provide five collaborative grants of up to £6,000 cash and up to £15,000 in-kind support to proposals that:
- Grow global networks to enable development of practice, experimentation and testing of sustainable design and production solutions that inspire positive environmental change.
- Support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to exchange methods of designing and producing in a more sustainable and socially engaged way.
- Support young designers to become advocates for sustainable, ethical and socially engaged fashion, textiles and related technologies.
The closing date to apply is 6 February 2023.
Greater control for taxpayers using repayment agents
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is changing the way taxpayers who use a repayment agent can receive overpaid tax to protect them and raise standards among repayment agents.
HMRC will introduce legislation to change the way repayment agents are paid for their services and better protect customers from the unscrupulous tactics used by some operators. This means stopping the use of legally binding ‘assignments’ as part of claiming an Income Tax repayment, which could only be cancelled if the agent and taxpayer both agreed to do so. This can be challenging for customers who become dissatisfied with their agent, or who simply wish to take over managing their own claim.
Under new arrangements, if a taxpayer chooses to use a repayment agent to reclaim overpaid tax and wants it sent to the agent, they will need to make a nomination, which they can cancel at any time. The new process will make it easier for taxpayers to stay in control of their repayments.
See: Greater control for taxpayers using repayment agents – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Employers should prepare for a warmer future
It might sound strange when we are in the middle of Winter just now, but science shows the planet is getting warmer and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising businesses to think how they need to adapt to warmer working conditions for their staff.
Employers have a legal obligation under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to assess risks to the health and safety of workers. They must review the risk controls they have in place and update them if needed. This includes risks from more frequent extreme weather such as heatwaves.
While there is no maximum temperature for workplaces, all workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Heat is classed as a hazard and comes with legal obligations like any other hazard.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations require employers to provide a reasonable temperature in the workplace.
See: Heat warning: Employers must prepare for a warmer future | HSE Media Centre
The Improving National Workplace Health and Wellbeing Event 2023
Between 2019 and 2021, there has been a 38% increase in reported cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety, according to the Health and Safety Executive. With the Bank of England predicting a recession at the end of 2022 through to 2023, increased pressure on public services and its workforce is likely. Taking steps to improve staff health and wellbeing is therefore essential to maintaining workforces and continuing to deliver effective public services. This is a key time for professionals across the public sector to come together and share best practice, tips and resources for supporting the wellbeing of public sector employees.
- In 2020/21 there were an estimated 822,000 workers affected by work-related stress, depression or anxiety (Health and Safety Executive).
- In 2021 the Royal Society for Public Health found that people who switched to working from home exercised less (46%) and developed musculoskeletal problems (39%).
- 41% of employees surveyed in 2021 experienced work-related mental health issues last year (BITC).
At The Improving National Workplace Health and Wellbeing Event 2023 you will hear the latest guidance on creating a workplace that promotes the health and wellbeing of all staff. You will be able to engage with best practice case studies on improving work-life balance, developing a whole organisation approach to health and wellbeing, and developing policies to support staff mental health.
The event takes place on the 2nd of February 2023 online.
See: Improving National Workplace Health and Wellbeing (healthatwork.uk)
Ban on single-use plastics in England
A range of polluting single-use plastics will be banned in England, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has announced.
The ban will include single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. This ban will be introduced from October 2023, allowing businesses time to prepare.
According to estimates, England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery — most of which are plastic — and 721 million single-use plates per year, but only 10% are recycled. If 2.7 billion pieces of cutlery were lined up they would go round the world over eight and a half times (based on a 15cm piece of cutlery).
From October, people won’t be able to buy these products from any business – this includes retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry. The government’s announcement reveals that over 95% of those who responded to the consultation were in favour of the bans.
See: Far-reaching ban on single-use plastics in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Finally, some IR35 news
A former rugby player and Sky commentator has won an IR35 case against HMRC over a disputed tax bill for £695,000
Stuart Barnes was working as a commentator for Sky through his personal services company, S&L Barnes Ltd (SLB).
HMRC opened an investigation into his tax affairs and determined that income tax and national insurance contributions were due on the earnings from his Sky contract.
The principal issue in this appeal is whether on the facts, the IR35 intermediaries legislation applied to the contractual relationship between Barnes, SLB and Sky.
If the legislation applied, then tax liabilities to income tax and national insurance contributions arise for SLB.
The overall amount under appeal is £695,461.97 (not including interest), and relates to five tax years from 2013 to 2019.
During those years, Barnes had a number of income streams, including work for the Times and Sunday Times, as well as the Sky contract.
In terms of his income profile on a yearly basis, Barnes worked around 90 to 120 days a year for Sky. During the relevant period, the income received by SLB from Sky as a percentage of overall income in the year ranged from 57.3% to 61.5%, and then dropped in 2019-20 to 33.4% when Sky Sports significantly reduced its coverage of rugby union matches.
The appellant’s defence Michael Collins argued that ‘Barnes was in business on his own account providing his expert opinion on national and international rugby as a freelance rugby commentator, expert pundit, journalist and author’.
‘Neither Sky nor the Times Newspapers ‘controlled’ what Mr Barnes said or wrote. Both Sky and Times Newspapers engaged Mr Barnes to be ‘Stuart Barnes, the voice of rugby’ and to provide his unique expertise and insight into the game, not to control what he said or wrote.’
Barnes was given a high level of control over his commentating work and was the main pundit for rugby union coverage on Sky. No formal editorial guidelines document was provided by Sky Sports to commentators and the services were unscripted by Sky. Barnes is a former professional sportsman and a sports writer for a national newspaper and therefore there was little need for Sky Sports to provide detailed guidance on how to deliver engaging sports comment.
Collins pointed to the Court of Appeal decision in HMRC v Atholl House Publications Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 501, highlighting it as the authority that the first two conditions in the three-stage test set out in Ready Mixed Concrete (South East) Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance [1968] 2 QB 497 are ‘threshold conditions’, and that meeting the first two conditions does not set up a presumption of employment.
HMRC accepted that there was no mutuality of obligation or exercise of control, but argued that other provisions of the contract were a ‘negative condition’; that is to say, if the first two conditions are satisfied, a contract is a contract of employment unless there are other relevant factors to the contrary.
Judge Heidi Poon said: ‘Having regard to the cumulative totality of the provisions in the hypothetical contract in the context of the parties’ conduct and intention, I conclude that the relevant contracts would not have been contracts of employment for the duration of the relevant period.’
‘It is notable that Mr Barnes had lots of other work, outside of his Sky TV work, and that HMRC had already accepted that his other work was not subject to IR35 rules.
‘In my experience, HMRC are relying too heavily on the contract, and not considering the “circumstances” enough. We now have two decisions based on the same contract, that are different. Because of that, it is likely HMRC will try and appeal this decision. Whether they are granted permission though we wait and see.’
HMRC has the right to appeal the decision within 56 days.
Disclaimer Notice
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute advice, Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability for a particular purpose. We recommend that professional advise should be taken from a suitably qualified expert before undertaking any action.
