Covid Update
From 27 January:
– Covid passes are no longer required, although venues can choose to use them if they wish
– Face masks are no longer mandated anywhere but suggested in places where you mix with people you don’t usually meet
From 11 February
– Eligible, fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a post-arrival lateral flow test.
Treasury unease over fears of No 10 U-turn on national insurance hike
The Treasury is increasingly alarmed that Boris Johnson may be preparing to scrap the national insurance rise in a desperate attempt to placate right-wing Tory MPs as he fights to save his job.
Reports suggest that Rishi Sunak has advised the prime minister that it must go ahead.
There still hasn’t been a definitive answer as to whether this will still occur in April 2022.
For the full story, click here.
How much the national insurance hike will cost your business
The Government’s £11bn national insurance tax grab to pay for social care will hurt the economic recovery, create unemployment, and warn small businesses and economists.
There are fears that this increase will impact hiring staff in businesses.This change will mean both employers and employees will be taxed an additional 1.25%.
On the other hand, self-employed will increase to 10.25% from 9% On annual earnings of more than £9,568.
For the full story, click here.
Millions yet to file a tax return as scammers circle
More than three million people have yet to file their self-assessment tax return just days before an, albeit less stringent, deadline of 31 January.
The tax authority will not fine those who are up to a month late until the end of February. This waiver is given to allow anyone who has delays due to Covid time to catch up.
We advise being cautious. The last-minute rush ahead of the deadline is seized upon by fraudsters who send out false messages claiming to be from HMRC.
For the full story, click here.
