Author: Sophie Lewis
Drop in job applications for legal sector
APSCo: ‘While our research is showing a level of upheaval in the jobs market – with vacancies reporting peaks and troughs over the last five months as concerns around the economy grew – the standout data is the fall in applications across the legal sector’.
Government’s Powering Up Britain Strategy welcomed by SMEs
FSB: ‘Small firms have long waited for support to become more energy efficient, and have asked for more than just words and guidance, but resources to be put in place to help. We are pleased to see Energy Secretary Grant Shapps heed our calls’.
Increase in base rate means more worries for SMEs
With the Bank of England making the announcement to increase the base rate from 4% to 4.25%, the UK’s SMEs are hoping that this recent rise is the last.
Spring Budget 2023
On Wednesday 15th March 2023, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the details of the Spring Budget, with a focus on getting people back into work and boosting the economy.
Government urged to focus on more age groups to boost labour market
CIPD: ‘As our analysis shows, it’s important that the current focus on addressing the decline of over-50s in employment doesn’t obscure the need and opportunity to get more young people into work’.
UK firms urged to be more open to hiring older workers
Robert Half: ‘The current hiring, training and talent management landscape isn’t geared towards older demographics’.
VAT registered firms reminded to file and pay on time
HMRC: ‘We are contacting 2.5 million VAT registered businesses about the changes and will continue to support customers to help them manage their tax affairs and payments’.
HMRC urged to review repayment interest rates
CIOT: ‘The differential between the rate of interest charged by HMRC on late payments, as compared to the interest it pays on overpayments or refunds, is simply inequitable, particularly at times when many businesses and individuals continue to suffer long delays in receiving repayments from HMRC’.