Business and Other Briefings

HMT: Last week a new regional National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday for new businesses came into effect. New business set up outside London, the South East and East of England will be eligible for a holiday worth up to £5,000 for up to the first 10 employees they hire in their first year of business.  This means a maximum saving on their national insurance payments of up to £50,000. The scheme will run for three years.
Press release ~ Business Link: National Insurance Contribution Holiday ~ Technical note on the National Insurance Holiday
 
ScotGov: Scottish employers are being given information about what Curriculum for Excellence means for them in a brochure & website launched by Education Secretary, Michael Russell last week. The business-focused brochure & website are designed to help employers understand the benefits of engaging with young people through Curriculum for Excellence and encourage them to get involved.
Press release ~ Employers and Young People website ~ Engage for Education
 
WAG: The Social Justice & Local Government Minister, Carl Sargeant, has increased rates relief for business in Wales.  From 1 October 2010 until 30 September 2011 at least half of businesses in Wales will not pay business rates.
 
Most business premises with a rateable value up to £6,000 will not pay any business rates and most of those with a rateable value between £6,001 & £12,000 will receive rate relief that will be reduced on a tapered basis.  This means that business premises with a rateable value of £8,000 will get around 66% rate relief; whilst those with a rateable value of £10,000 will get around 33% relief.
Press release ~ WAG: Non Domestic Rates
 
Newswire – ICO: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is concerned that some lettings & estate agents are failing to notify the privacy watchdog that they are handling people’s personal information

It is a legal requirement under the Data Protection Act (DPA) for all organisations handling personal information to notify the ICO.  As property agents routinely process personal data, such as financial information, the ICO is warning that the vast majority would be subject to the DPA and need to notify the ICO as a matter of urgency.
Press release ~ Notification under the Data Protection Act 1998 ~ Register of Data Controllers       
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