WIREDGOV

Business and Other Briefings

HO:  Last week the Home Office made some amendments to the list of approved English language test providers for applications made under Tiers 1, 2 & 4 of the points-based system and for spouse or partner applications.

Press release & links

BIS:  business could save nearly £100,000 per year thanks to a free patent system launched by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).  The new online service, called Ipsum, will remove the cost to businesses of requesting patent documents; instead they will now be available for free at the click of a button. 

Previously each document requested by a business would cost £5 and by the time it had been delivered it might already be out of date.  Ipsum is updated in real time so businesses will now have the up to date information on patent applications they need.

Press release & links

BIS:  More than 100,000 UK businesses could save in excess of £600m in accountancy & administration costs every year under proposals to reduce financial reporting requirements, published by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills last week – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.

HMRC:  Revenue & Customs Brief 36/11

This brief provides further guidance to assist businesses with the implementation of changes to VAT accounting in relation to salary sacrifice arrangements announced in Revenue and Customs Brief 28/11 on 28 July 2011.