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"Lack of safeguards in
debt legislation is a concern." says ACCA
IN the 2014 Budget, the UK's HM Revenue
and Customs (HMRC) announced that would be given new powers whereby they would
be able to recover Tax and Tax Credit debts directly from businesses and
individuals. In effect the Direct Recovery of Debt (DRD) powers would allow HMRC
to take money directly from bank accounts and since then it has become an
understandable hot topic of debate. Although there were some safeguards
proposed, these did not go far enough in the eyes of many. Add to that the fact
that the HMRC could not guarantee that the increased powers would not be used in
error is extremely concerning for many groups, with strong views of concern
being expressed from business and charities since it was announced. But the
publication of the primary legislation needed to bring in to
law the direct recovery of debts
omits the safeguards that would dictate under which circumstances these new
powers may be used. The omission of this is still a major concern to groups like
the
ACCA (the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants). Chas Roy-Chowdhury, ACCA head of Taxation,
said:- "We have seen HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) make some
concessions following ACCA's and other responses to their consultation over the
proposals, but we are concerned that there no detail yet on the safeguards and
detail of precisely how this new, wide ranging power, will be used. HMRC have
been clear that they only want the power to use against those that can pay, but
have refused to do. But there is nothing in the primary legislation as it
currently stands to restrict them to these instances. We understand that the use
of the power is to be set out in secondary legislation. ACCA's concern is that
secondary legislation is a lot easier to amend and while we have no reason to
think that the current management at HMRC will deviate from how they propose to
use the powers, future administrations may not feel so constrained."
The direct recovery of debts was first proposed by the Chancellor during his
2014 budget and was included in the draft finance bill clauses clauses following
the 2014 autumn statement. If this affects you, please contact us and let
us know your views and thoughts, via emailing:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
LJLA responds to potential
Air Passenger Duty cuts for Wales
PLANS set out by the Government to
transfer more powers from Westminster to Wales include a promise to consider the
merits of devolving further powers to the Welsh Assembly over Air Passenger
Duty. This follows announcements made in January 2015 over draft legislation
giving new powers to the Scottish Parliament, which also included plans to
devolve 'Air Passenger Duty' charges at Scottish Airports. This
news could have further implications for other airports across the UK, including
Liverpool and Andrew Cornish, CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented:-
"Liverpool is the closest airport for thousands of
passengers from North Wales who choose to fly from here each year. Should plans
to lower or abolish APD for airports in Wales go ahead then this is likely to
have an impact on our business. The airport welcomes the opportunity to further
contribute to the APD debate and to highlight the damage and loss of business
that this tax continues to cause. We would hope that sense will prevail and that
the Government would subsequently ensure a consistent charging regime across all
parts of the UK, so as not to put airports such as Liverpool at a disadvantage
compared to those in both Wales and Scotland, and to airports across Europe,
where aviation taxes are already significantly lower than in the UK."
Residents in the North West
spend an average of £2,928 a year on coffee
DESPITE many hard working Brits being
left living on the edge, new research reveals that workers in the North West are
spending an average of £2,928 a year on trivial purchases whilst at work. A
study by
TopCashback.Co.UK, released today, reveals that residents spend an
average of £61 a week on small purchases including coffee, breakfast and lunch,
impulse buys and after work drinks with colleagues.
When it comes to buying food on the go, around 33% of workers in the North West
spend £6 to £10 on breakfast, with a further 36% spending up to £10 on lunch
throughout the week. 25% of workers buy at least 5 coffees from Monday to
Friday, costing on average £2 each.
Adding to the weekly spend, around half admit to making impulse purchases online
and on the high street during their lunch breaks, spending an average of £15
each week. 43% of women in the North West admit to impulse buys, with 38%
spending £11 to £20 on average during lunch breaks throughout the week.
Just 16% of workers in the North West say they go for after work drinks with
colleagues; however 33% of those who do clock up an average spend of £21-£30
throughout the week.
Other key findings reveal that:-
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14% of workers admit to never taking a pre-prepared lunch to work .
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Those in Greater Manchester spend the most on coffee throughout the week,
spending an average of £16 on 8 coffees at £2 each.
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Residents in Lancashire are the least impulsive with only 35% saying they make
purchases during their lunch break.
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Circle of Hope in the Fight
Against Cancer
ACTOR Simon O'Brien is calling on
residents in Southport to get on their bikes and lead the fight against cancer,
as he helps to launch a seventh annual charity cycling challenge in partnership
with Liverpool FC's Community Foundation – The Circle of Hope.
The event which takes its name from the village of Hope near Wrexham – will take
place on Sunday May 3 and will raise funds for North West Cancer Research (NWCR)
a leading charity investing in cancer research.
This year organisers have announced the addition of 10mile course, which will
allow more cyclists to take part. Riders can also choose from either a 50mile or
100mile route, both of which start and finish at Hope Parish Hall in Wrexham.
The routes take cyclists through Flintshire, Denbigshire, Cheshire and Wrexham.
Particular highlights for riders include the highest point of the route, World's
End at Eglwyseg Mountain, where they will feel as though they are on top of the
world, before making their way down the narrow road through the spectacular
moorland plateau high above Llangollen and the Horse Shoe Pass.
Simon O'Brien who is based in the North West, helped NWCR launch the event this
week, showing his support for the work which the charity is doing in the
Liverpool region, to help improve our understanding of cancer and how better to
detect, treat and prevent it. He said:- "There are two reasons I got
involved with this event. Firstly because North West Cancer Research needs
everyone's support and secondly because I love cycling. The 3 routes are great
and the 10 mile route, even if you have never been cycling before in your life I
promise you, you will be able to do it. As for the 50 and 100 mile routes, I'll
probably be doing the 50 mile myself. I know the routes really well and the
areas they cover are absolutely astounding which will make for a great day out.
There is nothing better than helping out a good cause, while enjoying a communal
bike ride."
Since its inception in 2006, The Circle of Hope has attracted hundreds of riders
who have helped to raise over £60,000 to fund cancer research projects at the
University of Liverpool, as well as at Lancaster University and the University
of Bangor.
Over 70 people have signed up to the Circle of Hope so far and organiser and
NWCR Trustee, Mike Georgeson is hoping to encourage around 300 people from the
North West an all over the UK to get on their bikes and raise as much money as
possible for cancer research.
49 year old Mike has previously cycled both the 100mile and 50mile routes in
2011 and 2012, raising over £3,000 as a result. He first became involved in the
event after his wife Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and saw the
Circle of Hope as the perfect way for him to raise funds and combine his love of
cycling.
Mike said:- "Having taken part in previous years, I can confidently say
that this is a fun and rewarding way for people to offer their support to NWCR –
a charity which is working to fund cancer research in Liverpool.
People of all ages and cycling abilities can get involved, as there is a choice
of routes, which can be completed in your own time. It's not about being the
fastest cyclist or biggest fundraiser; it's about the taking part and raising
money for a cause which has touched so many people in the area.
Research is vital to our understanding of cancer, how to detect it, how to treat
it and how to prevent it. But this cannot be done without significant funding
from charities such as NWCR, which is why every penny we raise is so important.
Over the past seven years the Circle of Hope has raised more than £60,000 which
has gone on to fund research and we are hoping that this year we can add to this
figure and would like to see as many people as possible from all over the North
West sign up to the challenge and do their bit."
Registration for all 3 courses are now open, with a fee of £10 for the 10 mile
course and £20 for the 50 or 100 mile courses and participants are encouraged to
pledge a minimum sponsorship of £50.
For more information visit:-
CircleOfHope.Co.UK.
Society of Radiographers
suspend further industrial action
MEMBERS of the Society of Radiographers
in England have voted overwhelmingly to accept the NHS pay offer for 2015/16.
The union for professionals who work in radiology departments and cancer
treatment centres, consulted with 16,419 members in England and more than 86 per
cent voted in favour of accepting the deal.
The offer from the government in England came after several months of strikes
and work to rule by radiographers and other healthcare staff and followed
settlements made in Scotland and Wales. NHS employees are fighting for the 1st
pay increase in four out of the past 5 years.
Action was sparked when the Westminster government ignored the independent pay
review body's recommendation to award a 1% increase. Eleven unions, including
the SoR, took part in the industrial action, for many the 1st since the early
1980s.
Paul Moloney, the Society's industrial relations manager welcomed the result of
the consultation. He said:- "Radiographers have simply wanted to be
treated fairly. Unfortunately members working in senior positions, undertaking
managerial roles, have still been denied justice by the government's refusal to
apply the increase to the higher pay rates. We will vigorously pursue this at
future NHS pay reviews."
SoR members will not be taking further industrial action in England. |
