Most businesses want to be noticed. This is particularly so regarding the internet. Many pay to advertise their presence on the web. There is a whole industry that has developed to promote this “pay per click” activity. But there is another way to establish your brand on the web, blogging.... read more →

Most businesses want to be independent. But there may be advantages in a co-operative approach. Could you share costs with business neighbours? These could include: Setting up a community Wi-Fi source for a number of businesses. Sharing unused office or storage space. Negotiating insurance cover on an “estate” basis to... read more →

Before you consider the most appropriate vehicle for your business, a limited company or self-employed, there is another issue you might want to consider. We have witnessed many individuals who were displaced, made redundant, by downturns in the economy. Understandably, the insecurity this experience breeds leads to a yen to... read more →

HMRC has used new legal powers to name tax avoidance schemes and their promoters, for the first time. The aim of HMRC is that by warning the public not to get caught up in tax avoidance the incidence of taxpayers availing themselves of these schemes will be reduced. Two schemes... read more →

Most employed persons have one source of income, their salary. If they lose this source of income, they are reliant on savings, going into debt and/or claiming state benefits to tide themselves over until they can find another job. In terms of income security this is the highest risk category.... read more →

With inflation projected to peak in excess of 8% this year, anyone on a fixed income, the State Pension for example, needs an increase of 8% to stand still. Unfortunately, the State Pension is increasing by 3% and so in real terms, pensioners with no other sources of income will... read more →

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has commissioned the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to produce an economic and fiscal forecast for Wednesday 23 March 2022, as per the Charter for Budget Responsibility. The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 states that the OBR must produce a forecast... read more →

During the past two years we have become used to online meetings and facetime calls to keep in touch with business associates, staff and friends. Now that restrictions are easing it is worth reconsidering the value of a face-to-face conversation. Psychologists would point to the non-verbal cues that are lost... read more →

Our government is now consulting with interested parties to explore the arguments for and against an Online Sales Tax (OST). The OST is being considered as a way to level the retail playing field by taxing online retailers and using the funding to reduce the impact of rates on high... read more →

On the 21 February 2022, the Prime Minister gave a press conference and announced wide-ranging changes to the regulations introduced to restrict the spread of coronavirus. Government seems concerned that we learn to live with continuing COVID-19 infections without the past restrictions to our social mobility and ability to run... read more →