As we all knew at the time, the March 2010 Budget was likely to be out of date before the ink on it was properly dry, with the general election due just six weeks later. Now after the protracted political horse-trading following the most unusual election in nearly forty years, we face a [...]

Alistair Darling’s Budget on Wednesday 24th March may well have been his last such presentation [regardless of which party actually wins the forthcoming general election] – and is just as likely to be merely the first ‘Budget’ this year: whoever is in power after May or June will almost certainly have another go [...]

At a time when every business is acutely conscious of employment costs; when this country [like most of Europe] has experienced relatively ‘fluid’ movement of workers seeking employment across borders, and particularly in an industry which traditionally has seen a large proportion of short-term and [let’s face it -] ‘casual’ workers, the recent [...]

As if the Christmas and New Year period wasn’t busy enough in the retail world, this year you have another job to add to your ‘to do’ list. A year ago the government announced a temporary reduction in the Standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 15.0%, to be in place throughout [...]

Milestone (MSLTA Ltd) and Austens (EK Williams Ltd) are pleased to announce a merger of their licensed trade businesses to deliver expert accounting and payroll services to the entire country under the Milestone brand.

Milestone will focus on further developing the industry leading accountancy service with customers benefiting from the [...]

There are new regulations with respect to the National Minimum Wage, which took effect on 1st October 2008. The rates are based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission. Main (adult) rate for workers aged 22 and over 5.73 per hour. Development rate for workers aged 18 – 21 inclusive 4.77 per hour. [...]

Waiters, waitresses and bar staff may soon have to start paying National Insurance on tips. The Inland Revenue is targeting restaurants in an attempt to reclaim thousands of pounds in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on tip payments to staff. Tips held and distributed through what’s known as the ‘Tronc system’ – where tips are pooled [...]