Business and Other Briefings
CompC: The Competition Commission (CC) has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into the supply of airport services by BAA in the UK. The statement follows the initial process of information gathering, including visits to airports and holding hearings with interested parties and it identifies the key questions being addressed.
The purpose of the statement is to share their current thinking on what issues they are addressing and to provide the opportunity for interested parties to submit new or further evidence by 28 September 2007.
Their next stage is to analyse & assess all of the evidence and, following further hearings, they expect to publish for consultation in the early part of 2008 a document setting out their 'emerging thinking' on all the key issues and they currently aim to reach their provisional findings around this August 2008.
LDA: London’s tourism businesses are set to benefit from free advice on how to reduce their energy bills as part of a series of workshops being offered by the London Development Agency (LDA).
From September onwards, hotels & catering businesses can sign up to ‘Resource Efficiency’ workshops, showing them how to minimise the amount they waste and how to manage their energy & water consumption.
Other workshops available include ‘Crisis Management’, advising businesses on how to get positive coverage in the press and how to market their way out of a down turn. They will also be shown how to draw up contingency plans and prepare for the unexpected.
‘Accessibility’ workshops will help companies ensure visitors of all ages & physical abilities receive a friendly welcome. And finally, through attending ‘Quality’ workshops, hoteliers can learn how to make small improvements in hotel keeping and customer service that make all the difference to their reputation & success.
Press release ~ Workshops ~ Get London Graded ~ Visit London
HMRC: New rates of interest on direct & indirect taxes and national insurance contributions paid late & overpaid have been announced. These new rates of interest, which take effect from 6 August 2007, are as a result of the recent movement in market rates.
HMRC: HMRC appreciates that some individuals and businesses will find it difficult to meet their tax obligations to us due to the recent foot & mouth outbreak and therefore the HMRC will:
* defer collection of taxes and duties or agree instalment arrangements where taxpayers are unable to pay as a result of severe difficulty.
* suspend debt collection proceedings
* defer compliance checks and investigations
* provide help and advice in dealing with other practical tax matters arising from the outbreak
* where appropriate consider using the powers available to give up interest and surcharges on tax paid which is paid late due to the outbreak.
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