May 2009

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

FEATURE ARTICLE

HMRC Announces Crackdown on Tax Evaders: With the recession deepening and the government’s tax revenues falling HMRC has announced a new crackdown on tax evaders. MORE...

NEWS ROUND-UP

Baby Shard Put on Hold: The Baby Shard, costing £200 million, was scheduled to be built next to Europe’s tallest skyscraper, the Shard in Southwark, London, but plans have now been put on hold. MORE...

One in Five Construction Sites Fail Safety Inspections: The results of the latest HSE inspections revealed that one in five construction sites fail to meet Health and Safety standards. MORE...

Despite Recession, Construction Industry still faces Skills Shortage: Research by the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) has revealed that despite the recession many construction companies are still experiencing difficulties in recruiting skilled staff. MORE...

2012 Olympic News: Private bid rejected as Olympic village funded by public money, whilst ODA pushes ahead with revamp of Stratford Regional Station. MORE...

Recession Puts the Squeeze on Payroll Teams: At the World Payroll Update Conference, Kate Upcraft, an independent payroll commentator, has warned that the recession and the Government’s desperate need for more tax revenue will see payroll teams being put under pressure in a number of different ways. MORE...

Temporary Workers to Get New Rights: Agency workers have never received the same rights and pay as permanent workers. However, under new rules that have been debated by trade unions, the government and employers groups, this could change. MORE...

Rail Bucks Downward Trend: With the credit crunch biting it appears that rail is one area that has escaped the general downturn. Network Rail is intending to spend £34 billion over the next five years. MORE...

Contractors Targeted by HMRC: Contractors have been warned that this year they are likely to face an increasingly confident HMRC and stiff penalties if found in violation of IR35 rules. MORE...

CECA Report Shows Downturn Slowing: The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)’s recent figures indicate that the downturn in the construction industry has slowed in the first quarter of this year. MORE...

London Array - World’s Largest Wind Farm Given Go-Ahead: The government has given the go-ahead for the construction of a wind farm off the south-east coast. The offshore wind farm will be the largest in the world and will consist of 341 turbines. MORE...

Employee’s Benefits and Rights: Scheduled increases in National Insurance Contributions may see curbs put on the salary sacrifice schemes that have become popular. MORE...

HMRC Introduce Minimum Wage Penalties: 6 April 2009 saw the introduction of new HMRC penalties for employers who pay their employees below the national minimum wage. MORE...

Londoners Celebrate as Work on Crossrail Project Begins: Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands witnessed Prime Minister Gordon Brown, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Rail Minister Lord Adonis gathering together to lay the first foundations for a new Crossrail Station. MORE...

New Manual of Recognised Cards introduced: The CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) has recently produced a new Manual of Recognised Cards that will be available to all contractors and will replace CECA’s Manual of Approved Cards. MORE...

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