Business and Other Briefings

ScotGov:  Finance Secretary John Swinney outlined the range of new business incentives that are available to encourage private investment in ’s 4 new Enterprise Areas, during a visit to the Port of Dundee week.  Incentives & actions to stimulate investment include:

* Business rate discounts worth up to £275,000 per business or enhanced capital allowances 
* New streamlined planning protocols across all sites 
* Skills & training support 
* an international marketing campaign to promote the sites 
Press release & links

HMRC:  Real Time Information (RTI) moved a step closer last week when the pilot was launched, with the first of 10 volunteer employers submitting their RTI return.  RTI will make it easier for employers, pension providers and HM Revenue & Customs to administer PAYE.  Under RTI, employers & pension providers will tell HMRC about PAYE payments at the time they are made – as opposed to only at the end of the year.  

Most employers will join RTI from April 2013 and all employers will be using the RTI service by October 2013.  Two free webinars are available:

* Real Time Information – an overview

* Accurate Employee Information Matters – it can save time and money

Press release & links

HMRC:  With the 2011/12 tax year now ended, employers across the country are being reminded to send in their annual returns on time, or face a penalty.  Employer Annual Returns, which provide information on employees’ tax & national insurance deductions during the tax year, must be sent online to HM Revenue & Customs by the 19 May 2012 deadline.

If you file your return late, you’ll be charged a penalty of £100 per 50 employees for each month, or part month, that your return is outstanding.  Employers who are not registered for online filing need to sign up now for HMRC’s PAYE Online service. To help you get your return right first time, HMRC has published a list of common errors to avoid on its website.

Press release & links

CLG:  The next generation of Enterprise Zones are now 'operational sites' with 'live deals' immediately available for aspiring new businesses.  Every Enterprise Zone can now offer simplified planning rules, super-fast broadband and immediate tax breaks to businesses as soon as they move onto the site. The discount provides up to 100% relief to new businesses for 5 years.  Government is meeting the costs. 

Press release & links

CIPD:  News that the Government is to freeze rather than reduce the current annual limit for non-EU workers for the next 2 years and lower a key salary requirement will help employers recruit key skilled workers and increase the chances of export-led growth. 
Press release & links 

HSE:  A change to the rules on reporting workplace injuries will save British firms thousands of hours completing official paperwork.  From 6 April 2012, employers no longer have to report injuries which keep workers off normal duties for 7 or fewer days.  Employers have also been given a longer period in which to report, increasing from 10 to15 days from the time of the incident. 
Press release & links 

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