November 2009

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

FEATURE ARTICLE

Tax Penalties Update: This year HMRC introduced a new penalty regime for all returns that were filed on or after 1st April 2009. Many businesses are aware of these rule changes, but many do not fully appreciate what effect they will have on their business. MORE...

NEWS ROUND-UP

Lord’s cricket ground to be re-developed: A £400 million redevelopment of the Lord’s cricket ground in St. Johns Wood, London is being planned. MORE...

Olympic news: The Olympic Aquatic Centre has just had its roof set in place. The 2,800 tonne wave-shaped roof will be an iconic landmark for the Olympics. MORE...

No resetting of expenses clock after a break: Contractors hoping to take advantage of the 24-month expenses claiming rule by taking a break and then continuing to work for the same client will be disappointed. MORE...

Contractor site prints 10-year IR35 report: A leading news site for contractors has published a report that looks back on 10 years of IR35. The report includes views from some of the leading experts in the contracting industry. MORE...

ConstructionSkills rethinks Grant: ConstructionSkills has launched a consultation process to assess the construction industry’s views on its grants scheme. MORE...

Fatality numbers fall but self-employed worker deaths rise: Despite the total number of fatalities in the construction industry falling by 26 percent, an analysis by the construction union UCATT has revealed that the number of self-employed workers who died last year has risen. MORE...

PAYE News: Any employer who has not sent in his or her 2008-09 form P11D(b) Annual return of Class IA National Insurance contributions will be likely to receive a penalty. MORE...

Hounslow invites bids for PFI project: The London Borough of Hounslow has invited contractors to register an interest in their highways maintenance PFI. The long anticipated project may be worth up to £1.4 billion. MORE...

Cut in red tape still months away: The Government plans to save contractors thousands of pounds in administration costs by updating the Prequalification Questionnaire (PQQ) system. MORE...

Chancellor urged to repeal IR35: Alistair Darling, the Chancellor has been presented with a wish list from the UK trade group for contractors. MORE...

Crossrail news: Crossrail recently advertised a contract for shafts, subways and tunnels work involving Liverpool Street and Whitechapel Station tunnels. MORE...

Tories may scrap PFI: If the Conservatives win the next general election they may scrap PFI in favour of another funding model. MORE...

Contractors ban exploding concrete: Construction workers were left with fractured feet after two explosions involving foam concrete. As a result of these accidents, some contractors are now banning foam concrete from their construction sites. MORE...

HMRC publishes tax charter: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published a new charter that outlines what taxpayers can expect from HMRC in the way that it deals with them and in turn what HMRC expects from taxpayers. MORE...

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