OTS seeks views on latest tax simplification proposals

Firms are being invited to give their views on new proposals aimed at simplifying small business taxation.  To read more...OTS seeks views on latest tax simplification proposals

Capital allowances 'too complicated' for small businesses

Tax breaks designed to encourage businesses to invest in new equipment are overly complex and fail to boost spending, a new study suggests.  To read the article...Capital allowances 'too complicated' for small businesses

Delay in tax statements as HMRC fails to order enough paper

Statements about self assessment balancing payments will be delayed this year for some 500,000 people after HMRC failed to order enough special paper.  To read more...Delay in tax statements as HMRC fails to order enough paper

Cost of red tape compliance on the rise

Businesses are spending more time and money on complying with regulations than ever before, latest research has shown.  To read more...Cost of red tape compliance on the rise

Head of JPA International promoted by French President

JPA International, of which Bourner Bullock is the UK member firm, are pleased to announce that their President Mr Jacques Potdevin was appointed Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour by decree of the President of the French Republic on Wednesday 13 July 2011. Bourner Bullock would like to congratulate Mr Potdevin on his new role and we wish him every success in this position.

JPA International is a worldwide network of 130 medium sized independent members, of comparable size and experience in 40 countries with the same ambition of high quality and personal service, as well as the same ethical standards based on our values of professionalism and independence. Our relationship within the JPA International network allows us to be involved together in the development of technical knowledge, the distribution of software, exchange of experience and to participate in multidisciplinary training programmes.  To find out more about JPA, visit: JPA International

Low interest rates 'deter young savers', study suggests

Low interest rates on children's savings accounts are deterring many parents from investing in their future, a new study suggests.  To read the article...Low interest rates 'deter young savers', study suggests

Mortgage lending still a concern

Total mortgage lending in June was down 3% on the equivalent month last year, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), reflecting the poor state of the economy.  To read more...Mortgage lending still a concern

Bank of England unlikely to raise interest rates in near future

Earlier this month the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5%, and minutes released from the meeting suggest that a rise is unlikely in the near term.  To read more...Bank of England unlikely to raise interest rates in near future

Junior ISA limit set to increase

The Treasury is expected to announce next week that the annual tax-free investment limit for the new Junior Individual Savings Accounts (JISA) will be £3,600, instead of the originally announced cap of £3,000, according to The Telegraph.  To find out more...Junior ISA limit set to increase

Government reaffirms intention to reform business rates system

Following a six-month review into council finance, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has reaffirmed the Government’s intention to overhaul the way councils are allocated income from business rates.  To find out more...Government reaffirms intention to reform business rates system

OFT investigates websites reselling government services

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to investigate the growing number of websites that try to sell government services that are normally very low cost or free of charge.  To find out more...OFT investigates websites reselling government services

Call for fast-track planning applications for small firms

The Government is being urged to fast-track small business planning applications to help firms cut through bureaucracy and drive economic growth.  To read more...Call for fast-track planning applications for small firms

Better news for retail

Early summer sales have meant that the annual rate of decline of retail sales has slowed, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium.  To read the article...Better news for retail

Rise in SME loan approvals but 'small firms still struggling'

A significant number of SMEs have successfully secured bank credit in the last 12 months, according to an independent survey conducted by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) Taskforce.  To find out more...Rise in SME loan approvals but 'small firms still struggling'

Business voices concerns over pace of economic growth

The Government is being urged to take action on the economy amid fears that the pace of economic growth is faltering.  To read the article...Business voices concerns over pace of economic growth

VAT rule-breakers given final chance to come forward

HMRC has launched a new campaign to tackle businesses trading above the VAT threshold who have not registered for VAT.  To read the article...VAT rule-breakers given final chance to come forward

Pay gap between private and public sector widens

The average pay gap between private and public sector workers has widened by 47% in the last three years, latest figures have shown.  To read more...Pay gap between private and public sector widens

UK employment laws 'deter sole traders from hiring'

UK employment regulations deter many sole traders from recruiting their first employee, a new survey has found.  To find out more...UK employment laws 'deter sole traders from hiring'

New business mentoring scheme unveiled

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be offered more support on key business issues under a new scheme being launched by the banks.  To find out more...New business mentoring scheme unveiled

Plumbers' tax campaign prompts mixed response

A campaign to recoup unpaid tax from tradespeople has received a mixed response, after HMRC gathered £328,756 from voluntary disclosures.  To read the article...Plumbers' tax campaign prompts mixed response

Cheque guarantee scheme comes to an end

Thursday 30th June marked the final day for the cheque guarantee card following a decision by the UK Payments Council to withdraw the scheme. To find out more...Cheque guarantee scheme comes to an end

HMRC admits millions have not paid correct amount of tax

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said that up to 4.7 million taxpayers will be sent letters later this year telling them they paid either too much or too little income tax in 2010/11.  To read more...HMRC admits millions have not paid correct amount of tax