Business and Other Briefings

OFT: Registration has started for businesses supervised by the OFT under Government anti-money laundering regulations which aim to reduce the possibility of legitimate businesses being used for money laundering or terrorist financing. In order to comply with these regulations certain categories of business need to register with the OFT within 6 months of registration starting.
 
These are:
* Estate agents
* Consumer Credit Financial Institutions (CCFIs)
Press release ~ Money Laundering Regulations 2007
 
BIS: Every small business in the UK will now have free access to thousands of lower value government contracts on the Government’s website Supply2.gov.uk, which for 3 years has advertised thousands of public sector procurement opportunities worth up to £100,000 – making the website ideally suited to SMEs.
 
The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK will now be removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contracts to help their businesses grow.  Searching for lower-value contracts across the UK was previously only available as part of a subscription service, which cost up to £180p.a.
 
This announcement is a move towards delivering on a key recommendation outlined in the Glover Review – that, by the end of 2010, all public sector contract opportunities should be accessible through a single, free online web portal.
Press release ~ Supply2.gov.uk ~ Anne Glover’s report: Accelerating the SME economic engine ~ OGC: Creating Opportunities for SMEs and Third Sector Organisations
 
HMRCRevenue & Customs Brief 50/09
This brief sets out HMRC's concerns regarding the application of tax, National Insurance and National Minimum Wage legislation in respect of temporary workers.
 
HMRCRevenue & Customs Brief 35/09
This brief replaces Revenue & Customs Brief 42/08. It is intended to clarify the rules for vehicles invovled in grass cutting work.
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