Phillip
Stone - The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
[Scared? - you should be ...] -
Regular readers of Despatches will know that we have pleaded, even begged at times for DA members especially but other courier companies as well to take great care in marking out their relationship with their subcontracted riders and drivers. You know the reasons why....
DA
Action for the Courier Industry - For members We were pleased to be the first port of call for a DA member who, having decided that the time was right to develop and expand his business, asked our opinion on drafts of his newly-revised online booking form and several other business documents, including his Terms and Conditions...
Money
News Consumer credit guidance -
The Office of Fair Trading has published revised guidance on fitness and requirements for Consumer Credit license holders and applicants, as well as a statement of policy on civil penalties for failure to comply with requirements...
Road Transport - Confusion over London loading -
The decision by some London boroughs to remove unlimited kerbside access before 11am will create confusion across the capital. While welcoming the London Councils’ decision to double the kerbside loading limit on yellow lines from 20 minutes to 40 minutes, the DA believes that the removal of unlimited access means that companies making early morning deliveries of over 40 minutes risk being fined...
Focus
on Business Migrant workers update -
The Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) is proposing a maximum penalty of £10,000 for organisations which do not make proper checks on prospective employees’ right to work in the UK. Additionally, there will be a new criminal offence of ‘knowing’, it carrying a maximum two-year prison sentence for employers who deliberately employ illegal workers...
End Piece - Questions questions -
This month’s guest contributor is The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK). This was their first news release for 2008.
Each week The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) produces an electronic newsletter containing a relevant, and at times, controversial poll. These polls have created heated feedback and a few raised eyebrows! To mark a year of these polls, the Institute reveals some of the results...
Join
The DA ! -
Ask for an application form, or request a call from the DA Chief Executive
... New ! - The
Riders and Drivers Associates. Only £58.75 to join. Visit the
website for more information...
The Office of Fair Trading has published revised guidance on fitness and requirements for Consumer Credit license holders and applicants, as well as a statement of policy on civil penalties for failure to comply with requirements. This guidance follows the reform of the Consumer Credit Act , which comes into force on 6 April 2008. The guidance explains how the OFT will identify those applicants that pose greater risks to consumers and how they may be refused a license or have it revoked, as well as focusing on new entrants and existing operators in sectors of the credit market where consumers may be at increased risk. More information can be obtained at the OFT’s website http://www.oft.gov.uk
Taxpayers’ charter on the drawing boards -
In response to a recent consultation on taxpayers’ safeguards, HM Revenue and Customs has announced that it will begin the process of working with interested parties on the development of a Taxpayers’ Charter, which will set out both taxpayer rights and responsibilities in a single accessible document. In addition, three further consultation documents are now in circulation as part of HMRC’s work to modernise its powers, deterrents and the accompanying safeguards. HMRC currently relies on the statutory provisions inherited from its predecessor departments that oblige it to follow different procedures for different taxes resulting in various anomalies. This work is designed to provide greater consistency across all taxes through an approach that is aimed at recognising underlying taxpayer behaviour. Sounds good but as ever, the proof of the pudding…
New tax breaks in April -
Smaller businesses can make tax savings in 2008 when new tax breaks come into force for assets such as plant and machinery; according to accountants and business advisers DTE. From April 2008, spending on capital items will qualify for a 100 per cent tax break, up to an annual limit of £50,000. This will create opportunities for smaller businesses to significantly reduce their tax bills by deferring purchases until the next tax year when this tax break becomes available. Further changes to the rules are expected for so-called ‘integral fixtures’. These are items such as air conditioning, central heating, and lifts, which are part of the fabric of a building, but still qualify for the plant and machinery allowances.
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New tax breaks in April -