Introduction IR35 was introduced in April 2000 as the Intermediaries Legislation to tackle the problem the HMRC had with what they term “disguised employee”. What is a “Disguised Employee”? A “Disguised Employee” is an employee who works as a self-employed contractor using a limited company to reduce their tax liability. The contractor operates under the same terms as a permanent employee. The objective of IR35 is to determine whether a contractor is correctly working as self-employed or should be a permanent employee. The reason for this is because HMRC have seen the fall in PAYE and National Insurance contributions be people who have arranged their affairs to minimise tax. The Artic Systems Case The case of Jones v Garnett finally reached its end on 25 July, when the House of Lords gave a judgement unanimously in favour of the taxpayers. This marathon of a case concerned Mr and Mrs Jones, who owned one each of the two shares in Arctic Systems Ltd, their family company. Mr Jones … [Read more...]
The Hybrid Workplace – by default or design
The government roadmap lifting lockdown suggests that in England the 17th May will be the date on which businesses can safely re-open. This gives Managing Directors and business leaders less than 2.5 months to take the initiative and start consulting with their staff on proposals for returning to work. The likelihood is that MDs are going to be faced with a hybrid workplace with the offer of being able to work flexibly and informally a number of days a week at home, without any contractual changes. Secondly, it is an opportunity to reinforce the positive working patterns developed since the Covid-19 pandemic forced the first national lockdown – and learn from any negative habits that have emerged. Cranfield Business School has researched the trust-control dynamic. In response to losing control, managers have aggressively dialled up Key Performance Indicators and the monitoring thereof and been less focused on building trust through genuinely checking on welfare and coaching their … [Read more...]
UKBA Conference: Plan to thrive, not just survive
UK Business Advisors Conference: Plan to thrive, not just survive Date: Thursday 11th March 2021Time: 10:00am – 12:30pmLocation: Online More than ever businesses need to be able to adapt and evolve. At our conference, our expert speakers and panel will look at how businesses can reshape and plan for a post-covid world. 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, from loss of health to loss of business. As we start the new year, businesses must reshape and plan for a post-covid world. There may be a ‘new normal’ that we have to live and work within, but the need for products and services has not gone away. Now is the time for businesses to focus their efforts on how their business fits into the new normal and strategise for the future, looking at their own business model, their … [Read more...]
Adjusting to The New Normal – changing attitudes amongst employees?
The seismic and devastating impact of Covid-19 on the majority of business plans cannot be overstated. It is a fair assumption that things will never be the same again for some time; if ever. Hence the appearance in the media of the phrase “The New Normal”. Since time immemorial successful enterprises have had to adapt to new circumstances and seek new and alternative opportunities. Often radical change does present new opportunities – we just have to detect and exploit them. The most important asset to any business is the people that work for it. Individual employees at all levels are currently reviewing their motivation and priorities – quality of life and appreciation thereof has become most important to many as a result of the pandemic. There is interesting data emerging from the employee experience during the lockdown period: 97% of marketing and communications staff have reservations about returning to work and 82% nervous about travelling into work (Insight agency … [Read more...]
Business Interruption Cover – A Misnomer? Your claim may be valid?
Businesses are being turned down for claims on their Business Interruption Insurance policy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Often their brokers or insurers are telling them that their cover is not valid for a claim due to the impact of a pandemic. They may still have a valid claim. On May 1st 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intended to seek clarity on the availability of business interruption insurance by seeking a declaratory judgment through the courts. This will be helpful, but complex because of the huge variety of wording used in policies covering business interruption. It is unlikely to produce a speedy outcome and could cause more harm by giving insurers the opportunity to delay paying out on claims pending a court decision. It is important in these uncertain times for businesses to plan for the future with some clear idea as to whether or not they might be able to plan on some sort of payout under their insurance policies. Whilst insurance brokers do … [Read more...]
UK Business Advisors support provided to clients during Covid-19 – 01
Our UKBA teams regularly meet by Zoom video call. Today, our London and South East team reviewed the support given to companies in the last couple of weeks, and we would like to share this with you. You are also encouraged to visit our general support page at https://ukba.co.uk/coronavirus Here are examples of how we have helped companies and added value to them: Apply for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan applications (40% approved and 60% pending to date) Plan for Furloughing, restructuring and assisting Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme applications from 20.1.20 Prepare business strategy, business planning and financial planning Assisting construction companies preparing to resume operations and resolve supply chain issues Applying for an Innovate UK funding competition Helping companies to claim R&D Tax Credits and get cash injections Completing the recruitment of a marketing manager and working with clients to plan their needs … [Read more...]
Survive and then Thrive – UK Business Advisors are ready to help
Other than the cruel personal impact of COVID-19, there is unequal pain and gain for UK businesses. Hospitality businesses are grounded and businesses with sought after services and products are struggling to cope with demand and managing their supply chain. There is no one magic solution for all! More than ever, business leaders need to keep a cool head and make the right short term decisions to enable their business to survive or operate differently. Supporting staff as far as possible is a defining characteristic of well-led businesses. The businesses that make the right decisions now and plan effectively for how to be prepared to thrive in the recovery should have a bright future post coronavirus. You are no doubt being bombarded by emails and other communications offering advice, help and “seven steps to solving everything”. The UK government has announced an unprecedented range and magnitude of support for businesses and employees – you will have found that many of the … [Read more...]
Urgent business support during Coronavirus/ COVID-19 Emergency. Nationwide network of Business Advisors available to support you
Businesses and individuals are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertain times due to the COVID-19 emergency. Our support page link is at the end of this newsflash. Like you, we are feeling the impact to our work, families and friends. UK Business Advisors (UKBA) have contingency plans in place and are we already remote working and communicating via phone and video calls to support our clients. As premier advisors to UK Small and Medium sized businesses, we are ready to play our part to help our clients and the wider business community during these difficult times. We remain confident that businesses that show decisive leadership can survive and bounce back. UK Business Advisors have activated our nationwide network of experienced advisors to help business owners and directors plan what is needed. Even with government grants, business rates relief or emergency loan support there will be difficult decisions to be made quickly. We can provide initial support and share our … [Read more...]
5 essential traits for Business Developers
Every business needs to make sales. From responding to leads to actively selling, you must ensure you have the right person in place to secure those essential business wins. LGBA’s international business development expert Lesley Rubenstein outlines the top traits you should look for when hiring for this crucial business role. Trait One - Outgoing Personality – on and off the phone. Having an outgoing personality is probably the no. 1 trait required to be a great business developer. No shrinking violets need apply! Why? Think about it! You will need to contact businesses you may never have been in contact with before, either on behalf of your own company, or someone else’s. You have very little time to convince that business to spend time with you to determine why they should do business with you. Basically, you need to excel at sales pitches – but what are you selling? This is a bit different from selling a product per se – it’s more about why the business you are contacting … [Read more...]
Why your numbers matter
Why keeping your accounts up to date could mean all the difference between running a successful business, limping along, or failing. Would you fly a plane while wearing a blindfold? I ask new clients ‘Would you fly a plane while wearing a blindfold?’. They look at me confused, and always reply ‘No, of course not!’. At this point they are probably wondering why they hired me. Stupid question, right? Wrong! Here’s why: A significant proportion of my clients proffer similar responses when I start to investigate their bookkeeping and accounting methodology. They invariably tell me that they hand over receipts to their bookkeeper and once a year the accounts are resolved and sent to HMRC, usually at the last minute. Many then look confused again when I don’t look happy with their response. Why am I not happy? Because their accounts are typically 17 months out of date or worse. They have been led to believe that the accounts are for tax purposes, rather than as a managerial tool. This … [Read more...]
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