April 2009

Here’s what’s been hitting the headlines over recent weeks:

FEATURE ARTICLE

HMRC Introduces Stiffer Penalties and Proposes Changes to Fine System: HMRC has introduced a new tough penalty regime that applies to errors made on tax returns and other related documents. MORE...

NEWS ROUND-UP

Call For Repeal of IR35 Rules: An Early Day Motion in the Commons has called for IR35 to be repealed to help the economy. MORE...

2012 Olympics Construction News: The appointment of a contractor to construct the 2012 Olympics Handball Arena could see the creation of more construction jobs. MORE...

New Platinum Award From CSCS: In March 2009 the Construction Skills and Certification Scheme (CSCS) introduced a new platinum Certificate of Commitment award for companies. MORE...

Annual Construction Output to fall, but Investment in Infrastructure could Save the Day: A report from Hewes and Associates predicts that on the basis of their current data, construction output is likely to fall back to the levels seen in 1996 before there will be any recovery. MORE...

Outsourcing Payroll Still Popular: 2009 Budget sees further commitment to addressing false Self Employment in the Construction Industry: MORE...

Electronic Payroll Submissions: HMRC recently issued a reminder to employers about electronic in-year filing. MORE...

Transport for London (TFL) announces it has received funding for an upgrade to the Dockland Light Railway Beckton route. MORE...

National Insurance Contribution Changes: April 2009 has seen the introduction of the upper accrual point which adds yet more complexity to an already complex calculation. MORE...

Crossrail Shafts Removed: A redesign of Crossrail, with the agreement of the London Fire Brigade, has seen the removal of eight shafts from the central tunnel. MORE...

Tower Crane Register: In April 2010 a statutory tower crane register will be introduced. Prior to this a voluntary system of registration, the details of which are being discussed by the HSE and the plant safety group of the Strategic Forum for Construction, will start later this year. MORE...

Scaffolders Turn Whistle Blowers: some scaffolding contractors have decided to take matters into their own hands and blow the whistle on main contractors who persist in using dangerous scaffolding firms. MORE...

Subcontractor Pay Levels: The heavy snow and big freeze in February saw more than two-thirds of the key civil and building trades report a fall in average weekly wages. MORE...

Construction Deaths Inquiry Report Delayed: The report on the findings of a high-level inquiry into deaths in construction ordered by the Department for Work and Pensions has been delayed by two months. MORE...

Ucatt Calls for Full Powers for Inspectors: Ucatt, the construction union, has claimed that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s plans to expand its frontline force could cause serious problems unless the inspectors have long-term contracts and are given full powers. MORE...

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