Women pensioners could boost their state pension or even be in line for a windfall payment under special terms. But they need to act quickly as the arrangement, which allows people to pay for missed National Insurance contributions, will be unavailable in less than two years. Women who have gaps in their National Insurance record […]

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced an increase in the personal allowance of £600 and an adjustment to the higher rate threshold (the total of the personal allowance and basic rate limit) as reported in the earlier article, ‘10% tax rate climb down’. HMRC have issued guidance to employers advising them that they should not make […]

The Law Society has warned that thousands of Wills could need updating as a result of rising care and nursing fees which force the elderly to sell their assets, in many instances their homes, to pay for care. The home is generally the largest asset left to loved ones. Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, said: […]

HMRC have published some guidance on the complex area of salary sacrifice and entitlements to both statutory maternity pay and continuing non cash benefits during maternity leave. The guidance covers areas such as calculating maternity pay entitlement for those individuals who receive childcare vouchers. It also includes guidance on entitlement to non cash benefits during […]

The government has announced plans to extend the right to request flexible working to parents with children up to the age of 16. The flexible working regulations give employees the right to request changes to their working hours or location. The regulations currently apply to parents of children under the age of 6, or 18 […]

According to a new survey conducted by Norwich Union Healthcare, 77% of employers believe alcohol is the main threat to employee wellbeing and a big contributor to employee absence. Employers concerns are apparently not without good reason, as a third of employees said they have arrived at work with a hangover. 85% of those admitting […]

It has been reported in the Daily Express that tax inspectors are searching social networking sites for potential tax evaders, who may be ‘advertising’  their wealth or assets which may lead HMRC to believe they have ‘hidden’ remuneration. Taxpayers are being warned to be careful about what personal information they post on social networking websites […]

We live in quite amazing times in the world of tax. Over a year ago, in Gordon Brown’s last Budget speech as Chancellor, the so-called ‘abolition’ of the 10% starting rate was announced. The government’s reason for this was, and still remains, the simplification of the tax system. Of course, the 10% rate hasn’t been […]

While it will come as no surprise that the UK’s business community is still feeling the squeeze of the credit crunch, new research from Bibby Financial Services has found that small businesses are keeping Britain’s entrepreneurial spirit alive by driving forward new business and diversifying their product and service offer. Rather than burying their heads […]