Business and Other Briefings

ScotGov:  More than 350 companies in Highlands & Islands are being supported to get online & make better use of broadband through an initiative launched last week.  With a quarter of Scottish businesses currently not online, the ICT business engagement programme - a collaborative project between the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway – will invest £864,000 in the Highlands & Islands, to help SMEs exploit digital opportunities.

Press release & links

BIS:  Measures to strengthen supply chains & reduce the burden of regulation were announced by the Business Secretary Vince Cable last week.   Speaking at the Federation of Small Businesses conference, Dr Cable set out the practical steps Government is taking to help SMEs and boost business investment & cut red tape.

These included the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative has been set up to help the existing supply chain grow, achieve world class standards and encourage major new suppliers to come & manufacture in the UK.  This initiative, to be run by Birmingham City Council, will provide grants & loans to successful projects demonstrating real ambition to create globally competitive supply chains.

Vince Cable also launched the Focus on Enforcement campaign - asking business to tell us where enforcement can be improved, reduced or done differently and to discover and celebrate where it works well, so others can learn from it.

Press release & links

HMT:  The Chancellor has launched the National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS), helping smaller businesses across the (with an annual group turnover of up to £50m) access cheaper finance.  Around £5bn in guarantees will be made available in the first tranche – See ‘Policy Statements & Initiatives’  section for more information.

HMRC:  Revenue & Customs Brief 07/12

This Brief confirms changes to the procedure for the submission of Intrastat supplementary declarations that apply from 1 April 2012.

HMRC:  Revenue & Customs Brief 08/12

This Brief provides guidance on the application of the flagging rules for tonnage tax in 2012.

HMRC:  Revenue & Customs Brief 09/12

This brief gives information about changes to the procedures for the use of red diesel in private pleasure craft from 1 April 2012.

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