|
THE CO-OPERATIVE
FOOD GIVES MEMBERS 10% VOUCHERS FOR CHRISTMAS
THE CLA on 8 November 2013
said biodiversity offsetting needs to work if the countryside is to
remain beautiful. The Association has submitted its response to the
Government's consultation Biodiversity Offsetting in England which
illustrated the crucial need for new ways to maintain the
countryside. CLA Deputy President Henry Robinson said:-
"We need to find new ways to pay for the wildlife and habitats we
all want, and biodiversity offsetting may be the way to do it. We
simply cannot expect current levels of public funding for the
natural environment to continue. We need to find new ways of paying
for them."
Biodiversity offsetting is a system under which developers offset
the environmental impact of their development by paying farmers and
landowners to provide new habitats for wildlife. The aims are
to improve the way in which the planning system deals with
biodiversity issues, by making it quicker and more certain, and to
improve the state of the natural environment. The CLA said
that while the details of biodiversity offsetting are complicated,
it strongly supports the Government's desire to make offsetting a
reality. Mr Robinson added:- "Offsetting exists in a
number of other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany
and parts of America. The circumstances in each country are
different, and none of them provide a model we can directly copy but
we must learn from their experiences and adapt them to the English
countryside."
Euro MP is backing British farmers
LOCAL Euro MP Brian
Simpson, who leads for Labour on agricultural issues in Europe, has
welcomed a 'Back British Farming' campaign by the UK's
National Farmers Union (NFU).
Brian Simpson said:-
"Farming is a vital industry in the UK and British produce is known
throughout Europe and beyond for its excellent quality and taste.
That's why I've signed the NFU's 'Back British Farming' Charter,
which calls on the UK government to do all it can to support our
farmers, and urges shops to stock more British food. The UK
has some of the best local produce going, a fact that is regularly
recognised by the EU. Just a few months ago, Cumbria's famous
Herdwick sheep were award protected EU status, in a move that will
help local breeders target new retailers, butchers and restaurants.
This EU recognition is a testament of the excellent food that's on
offer in Britain, and by supporting the 'Back British Farming'
Charter we can help ensure that our local specialities are able to
thrive. As part of efforts to tackle climate change and
improve sustainability, it has never been more important to increase
access to local, seasonal British food, I'm urging the government,
businesses and the public to support our essential British farms." |
 |
Free help for
new businesses from HMRC on Small Business Saturday
BUSINESS start-ups can take
part in 4 free live tax webinars run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
on 7 December 2013, as part of Small Business Saturday.
The day has been set up as a chance for small businesses to promote
themselves and generate trade.
HMRC Start-up Saturday webinar programme, between 10am and 5pm, is
aimed at new and prospective businesses. Each live webinar lasts an
hour and gives the opportunity for questions.
There are 4.8 million small businesses in the UK and more than 14
million people work in them. The HMRC webinars are:-
►
Self-Employment and HMRC – what you need to know.
10am to 11am Saturday, 7 December 2013.
This session concentrates on the information sole traders or
partnerships need when they start. It covers registration, National
Insurance, Self Assessment and record keeping.
Register for self-employment webinar
►
Company Directors – your responsibilities to HMRC. 12pm to 1pm Saturday, 7 December
2013.
This webinar is aimed at businesses considering setting up as
limited companies. It provides the basics on incorporation and
registration with Companies House and HMRC. It also looks at when
companies become an employer, and the timetable for paying
Corporation Tax online.
Register for Company Directors webinar
►
Business expenses for the self-employed. 2pm to 4pm Saturday, 7 December
2013,
Sole traders or partnerships need to know which day-to-day expenses
they are able to claim for tax relief. They also need to start
keeping records of these as soon as the business starts. This
webinar provides an overview of the most common expenses, including
motoring costs.
Register for Business Expenses webinar.
►
VAT Awareness.
4pm to 5pm Saturday, 7 December 2013.
New businesses are often worried about VAT, what it is and when they
need to register. This webinar answers these questions and explains
in simple terms how VAT works.
Register for VAT awareness webinar.
ENDING ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS FOR
AA/SAGA 15,000 HOME CARE STAFF IS LINKED TO FLOATING COMPANY ON
STOCK EXCHANGE SAYS GMB
"REPLACING 'zero hours' with
a few minimum hours (the rest of the hours being just as much a
management tool to threaten people) and tied to other contractual
changes may not be as great a leap forward as it might appear on the
surface" says the GMB.
GMB, the union for care staff and staff in AA, commented on the
announcement by AA/ SAGA that it will move away from zero hours
contracts for 15,000 staff at Allied Healthcare. See notes to
editors for embargoed press release by company.
Justin Bowden, GMB national officer for the care sector, said that:-
"GMB suspect that this announcement is linked to the well
advanced plan to break up AA/SAGA and float SAGA on the London Stock
Exchange. See GMB press release on the issue as well as details of
the locations where Allied Healthcare has offices. This could raise
£3billion as early as spring 2014 for private equity owners CVC
Capital Partners, Permira and Charterhouse. They kid themselves as
they claim what they propose is revolutionary. They want good PR for
the float. Giving vital, frontline care home carers security of
employment, proper contracts and paid holidays is nothing new or
revolutionary. This is exactly what local authorities did for
decades until these vital services and workers were outsourced and
exploited at the hands of companies like Allied Healthcare.
Replacing 'zero hours' with a few minimum hours (the rest of the
hours being just as much a management tool to threaten people) and
tied to other contractual changes may not be as great a leap forward
as it might appear on the surface."
So what do you our readers thing about Zero Hour contracts?
Email your views to:-
news24@southportreporter.com and let us know what you
think!
|
