Helping small businesses to cut energy use, dates for HMRC’s tax webinars for self-employed workers, the business benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer, plus the air passenger travel guide
Today’s blog post looks at helping small businesses to cut energy uses using the Manufacturing Energy Toolkit, dates for HMRC’s tax webinars for self-employed workers, the business benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer, plus the air passenger travel guide
Manufacturing Energy Toolkit
As the winter sets in, the cost of energy will be a key issue for all businesses.
The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult has launched a pilot scheme to help small manufacturers cut energy usage. The Manufacturing Energy Toolkit is a guided assessment which is carried out by HVM Catapult experts to create a better understanding of energy usage and sources.
With the Manufacturing Energy Toolkit, the HVM Catapult is opening its doors to help manufacturers make their processes more energy efficient, cutting their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 46%.
See: Manufacturing Energy Toolkit for SMEs – HVMC (catapult.org.uk)
Latest HMRC tax webinars for the self employed
Listed below are a number of live HMRC webinars that will give the self-employed an understanding of key taxes that affect them.
Construction Industry Scheme for contractors
Thu 9 Nov at 9:45am
Construction Industry Scheme for subcontractors
Mon 13 Nov at 11:45am
How to apply the VAT reverse charge for construction services
Tue 14 Nov at 1:45pm
Company directors – payroll and you
Tue 21 Nov at 1:45pm
Capital allowances and vehicles
Wed 22 Nov at 11:45am
Wed 13 Dec at 11:45am
Real Living Wage rates for 2023/24
By paying the real Living Wage, employers are voluntarily taking a stand to ensure their employees can earn a wage which is enough to live on.
As well as it being the right thing to do, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the business benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer.
The Living Wage rates are independently calculated based on the real cost of living in the UK and London.
The new rates for 2023/24 are:
- £12 per hour UK rate; and
- £13.15 London rate.
See: Real Living Wage increases to £12 in UK and £13.15 in London | Living Wage Foundation
Air travel guidance updated to give passengers more clarity on their rights
The Department for Transport (DfT) has refreshed the newly named Air passenger travel guide, making it easier for passengers to know their rights and responsibilities when they travel.
Formerly known as the aviation passenger charter, it details what people can expect from airlines, travel agents, tour operators and airports, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.
This includes advice on what to do if flights are cancelled or delayed, if baggage goes missing, and the rights of disabled passengers, as well as guidance on how to complain if passengers feel they have been treated unfairly.
The travel guide also provides general advice for all aspects of your journey, such as what to expect at passport control, what you can bring through UK customs and how to manage connecting flights.
It also reminds passengers to regularly check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) website for the latest security and safety advice before booking travel, as well as what counts as an extraordinary circumstance when compensation isn’t available.
The advice also makes clear that while security checks are changing over the coming months, they should continue to be prepared to remove electronics and small liquids from their bags when travelling by air.
See: Air travel guidance refreshed to give passengers more clarity on their rights – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The drive for more zero emission HGV trucks on the road
More zero emission trucks are set to drive on the roads due to UK government funding to decarbonise freight vehicles.
With heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) alone contributing 20% to all transport emissions across the UK, the £200 million in government funding announced in October will be invested across 4 green projects to roll out up to 370 zero emission HGVs.
Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing much needed infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.
International Stress Awareness Week 2023
The International Stress Management Association [ISMAUK] is a registered charity and the lead professional body for workplace and personal stress management, supporting good mental health, wellbeing and performance.
International Stress Awareness Week 2023 takes place from 30 October to 3 November, is a major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues.
Midway through the week, Stress Awareness Day falls on Wednesday 1 November.
See: Global Online Stress Summit | ISMA Stress Management Association
Student Loans – Update on Repayment contact services
The student loans company has issued the following information to help customers to contact them to discuss whether or not they are entitled to a repayment.
They state that repayment call waiting times are currently ”longer than usual” and they are asking customers to first check if they’re due a refund using their dedicated page Repaying your student loan: Getting a refund – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Customers who think they might have made a repayment in a previous tax year, but earned below that tax year’s annual repayment threshold can check their previous year’s statements on their online account https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-to-manage-your-student-loan-balance.
Repayment thresholds vary depending on what loan plan a customer is on, to check the plan type visit: https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/which-repayment-plan-you-are-on
See: Update on Repayment contact services – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)