Business and Other Briefings

ECGD: The Trade and Investment White Paper announced 4 new Export Credits Guarantee Department initiatives to support exporters, particularly smaller companies.
Press release ~ Information on the new ECGD initiatives announced in the Trade & Investment White Paper 
 
HO: New details of the Government's changes to the work visa route were unveiled by the Home Office last week, as it laid out the criteria for its annual limit. Under the new system, employers will have to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) from the UK Border Agency for a specific post if they wish to bring someone to the UK - this is a change from the current system which gives businesses an annual allocation.
 
The Government has also announced that employers filling a vacancy that attracts a salary of £150,000 or more will not be subject to the limit on the number of COS that may be allocated. These changes will be made by way of amending the 'Immigration Rules' before 6 April 2011.
Press release ~ Tier 2 of the points-based-system: statement of intent, transitional measures and indefinite leave to remain
 
BISTime to Train regulations will NOT be extended this April to employees of SMEs.  The right for employees to request time for training to improve their skills has been available to employees of large organisations with 250 or more employees since April 2010.  Following a recent consultation covering a wide range of businesses and employee groups, Ministers are taking further time to examine the potential impact of the regulation on smaller firms.
Press release ~ Time to Train
 
Newswire – BISC: The report from the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee concludes that while the Government has proposed a number of interventions which have the potential to help promote economic growth, it does not add up to a comprehensive growth strategy.
 
The report highlights the fact that in the absence of clear performance measurements the Department's strategy runs the risk that economic success could mask failures in policy, while economic hardship could overshadow excellent strategies or interventions.
Press release ~ Report: Government Assistance to Industry
 
EU News: Access to credit is a major concern for many EU companies, in particular for SMEs and for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business or get new projects off the ground.  That is why the EC has, jointly with the European Investment Fund (EIF), launched the first EU microfinance project in the Netherlands – See ‘EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc’ section for more information.
 
HMRCRevenue & Customs Brief 04/11
This brief confirms HMRC's view of the VAT treatment of commercially operated sports leagues.
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